Got blacklisted? Here's how to get delisted from major email blacklists

We got listed on Spamhaus last year. It was a wake-up call that led to us overhauling our list hygiene practices. Here is the delisting process.

Step 1: Identify the blacklist

Use MXToolbox or your ESP's blacklist checker to identify which lists you are on.

Step 2: Fix the root cause

Blacklisting happens because of spam traps, complaint rates, or compromised sending. Fix the underlying issue before requesting delisting — they will check.

Step 3: Request delisting

• Spamhaus: Use their removal form. Explain what happened and what you fixed. Takes 24-48 hours.
• Barracuda: Self-service removal. Faster but may relist if issues persist.
• Microsoft: Submit a delisting request through their sender support form.

Prevention

Clean your lists regularly, implement double opt-in, monitor complaint rates daily, and never send to purchased lists.