A Beginners' Guide to Email Blacklists

Words to strike fear into the heart of any Emailadministrators to control incoming email.
MarketerHow do I check if I am Blacklisted?
"You've been blacklisted."We recommend testing an independent email delivery
What Does this Mean?service. One that offers a powerful free trial is here.
Basically your sending IP address has been listed by aHere you can test your mail server against the most
popular blacklist as likely to send Spam and thereforepopular blacklists and ensure that currently you are not
they have listed your email address on their "blacklist."listed as spam.
Once this occurs mail administrators and individuals thatWhat Do I Do If I think I am Blacklisted?
use this list as an IP block list will not take receipt ofFirst of all check if you are or not. Use a service like
your email, send it to a junk folder, delete it etc.Once confirmed that you have been wrongly assigned
Who Manages These Blacklists and why do they thinkas spam there are number of things you can do. We
I send Spam when we are fully Can Spam Compliant?strongly recommend you working to understand what
Spam like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If ancharacteristic caused you to be listed, and working to
independent group thinks that your message hasremove this trait from your campaigns. Typical issues
some spammy characteristics they may or may notare incorrect mail administrator settings, using a
add you to their list. A number of the blacklists selectnon-dedicated deployment machine, sending large
with an algorithm that is independent of humanvolumes of mail in short periods. Once this is corrected
selection. Bottom line selection can be arbitrary andreach out to the blacklist and request to be whitelisted.
every legitimate marketer should be aware of thisThis often is easier if a third party request on your
potential delivery rate pitfall.behalf. Whitelisting takes time far better to avoid
What are the main Blacklists?blacklists in the first place.
There are hundreds of blacklists out there, howeverHow Often Should I check my email reputation with
there are 10 or so that are used the most by mailthe Blacklists?
administrators;We recommend you testing with the primary blacklists
11. Open Relay Databaseat least twice a month.
12. Spam and Open Relay Blocking SystemWhat other types of delivery issues can my email
13. Spam Prevention Early Warning Systemencounter?
14. Vipul's RazorApart from being listed with Blacklists another key
15. Pyzorarea of issue are ISP level filters and mail administrator
16. Distributed Checksum Clearinghousesoftware and hardware for email delivery. Consumers
17. Spamhausalso have a myriad of anti spam software installed on
18. SpamCop Blocking Listtheir machines that blocks valid email.
19. MAPSFor More on Blacklists read
20. SpamFireSORBS
Each of these uses a slightly different technology toRazor.
identify spam; it's a very useful way for diligent mail