Check If Your Domain Is on a Blocklist: How to Find Out and Get Delisted

Your domain might be on a blocklist. If it is, your email is at risk of being rejected or marked as spam. Here's how to check if your domain is on a blocklist, and how to get it delisted.

What Is a Blocklist?

A blocklist (also called a blacklist) is a list of IP addresses or domains that are known to send spam. Receiving servers check your IP address or domain against these blocklists before accepting your email. If your domain is on a blocklist, your email is at risk of being rejected or marked as spam.

How to Check If Your Domain Is on a Blocklist

There are several ways to check if your domain is on a blocklist:

1. Use a blocklist checker. Sites like Spamhaus, Barracuda, and Spamhaus have free blocklist checkers that let you check if your IP address or domain is on their blocklists.
2. Use a deliverability tool. Tools like InboxProof check your IP reputation and tell you if your IP address is on any major blocklists.
3. Check your email provider's dashboard. If you're using an email provider like SendGrid or Mailchimp, they often have a blocklist checker built into their dashboard.

Why Is Your Domain on a Blocklist?

There are several reasons why your domain might be on a blocklist:

• Spam complaints. If too many people mark your email as spam, your domain will be added to a blocklist.
• High bounce rate. If too many of your emails bounce (because the recipient doesn't exist), your domain will be added to a blocklist.
• Compromised account. If your email account is compromised and used to send spam, your domain will be added to a blocklist.
• Shared IP address. If you're using a shared IP address (like a shared email server), and another user on that IP address sends spam, your domain will be added to a blocklist.

How to Get Your Domain Delisted

Here's how to get your domain delisted from a blocklist:

1. Fix the underlying issue. If your domain is on a blocklist because of spam complaints, fix the issue that's causing the complaints (e.g., stop sending email to people who don't want it).
2. Submit a delisting request. Most blocklists have a delisting request form. Submit a request to the blocklist that has your domain listed, and explain what you've done to fix the issue.
3. Wait for the delisting to take effect. Delisting can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the blocklist.