Delisting Guides

Email Blacklist Removal Guides

Step-by-step instructions for getting delisted from every major email blacklist — Spamhaus, Barracuda, SpamCop, UCEPROTECT, and more. Includes removal timelines and relisting prevention tips.

Spamhaus ZEN

High Impact

How to get delisted from Spamhaus ZEN (SBL, XBL, PBL, CSS) — the most widely used blacklist by email providers worldwide.

Removal: Self-service removal formTimeline: XBL/CSS: minutes to hours

Barracuda Reputation Block List (BRBL)

High Impact

How to get removed from the Barracuda BRBL — used by Barracuda Networks spam filters protecting millions of mailboxes.

Removal: Online removal request form with email verificationTimeline: 12-24 hours after submission

SpamCop Blocking List (SCBL)

Medium Impact

How to get removed from SpamCop — a reputation-based blacklist powered by user spam reports.

Removal: Automatic expiry only — no manual removal processTimeline: 24-48 hours automatic expiry (if spam stops)

UCEPROTECT Network

Low Impact

How to handle UCEPROTECT Level 1, 2, and 3 listings — a controversial blacklist with automated listing and paid express delisting.

Removal: Automatic expiryTimeline: Level 1: 7 days automatic

Abuseat CBL (Composite Blocking List)

High Impact

How to get removed from the CBL — a list focused on detecting compromised hosts and botnet participation.

Removal: Automated self-service removalTimeline: Minutes after submitting removal request, if issue is resolved

SURBL (Spam URI Realtime Blocklists)

High Impact

How to get removed from SURBL — a domain-based blocklist that checks URLs found inside email message bodies.

Removal: Email request to removals at surbl.org with explanationTimeline: 24-72 hours after request is reviewed and approved

SpamRATS

Low Impact

How to get removed from SpamRATS — a blocklist targeting IPs with no reverse DNS, dynamic IPs, and known spam sources.

Removal: Self-service removal after fixing rDNS or spam issueTimeline: Usually within a few hours after the fix is verified

Passive Spam Block List (PSBL)

Low Impact

How to get removed from PSBL — a passive blocklist based on spam trap hits with easy self-service removal.

Removal: Instant automated self-service removalTimeline: Instant — removal takes effect within minutes

DroneBL

High Impact

How to get delisted from DroneBL — a blacklist targeting open proxies, compromised hosts, and botnet nodes.

Removal: Self-service removal request via web form after fixing the issueTimeline: 24-48 hours after submitting removal request

Blocklist.de

High Impact

How to get delisted from Blocklist.de — a community-driven blacklist powered by fail2ban reports from thousands of servers.

Removal: Self-service web form for delisting after stopping the attacksTimeline: 24-48 hours

Backscatterer (UCEPROTECT/Outworx)

High Impact

How to get delisted from the Backscatterer blocklist — targeting servers that send bounce messages (NDRs) to forged sender addresses.

Removal: Automatic expiry after 7 days. Paid express removal available but not recommended.Timeline: 7 days automatic expiry after backscatter stops

Invaluement DNSBL

High Impact

How to get delisted from Invaluement — a blacklist focused on detecting snowshoe spam and low-volume, high-distribution spam campaigns.

Removal: Email request to delist@invaluement.com with evidence the issue is resolvedTimeline: 24-72 hours after email request is reviewed

0spam DNSBL

Medium Impact

How to get delisted from 0spam — a spam detection network with fast automatic expiry.

Removal: Self-service web form or automatic expiry after 24 hours of clean trafficTimeline: 24 hours auto-expiry, or faster via self-service removal

Mailspike

Medium Impact

How to recover from a Mailspike listing — a reputation-based network that scores sender IPs based on mail flow analysis.

Removal: No manual removal — reputation recovers automatically as sending behavior improvesTimeline: 1-7 days of improved sending practices for reputation recovery

s5h.net All Blocklist

Medium Impact

How to get delisted from s5h.net — a blocklist targeting open relays, open proxies, and spam sources.

Removal: Email-based removal request after fixing open relay or proxyTimeline: 24-72 hours after email request is processed

SPFBL

Medium Impact

How to get delisted from SPFBL — a blacklist focused on SPF authentication failures and spam from IPs with broken SPF records.

Removal: Self-service web form after fixing SPF authentication issuesTimeline: 24-48 hours after submitting removal request

SpamEatingMonkey

Medium Impact

How to get delisted from SpamEatingMonkey — a blocklist powered by a network of spam traps.

Removal: Self-service web form after resolving the spam sourceTimeline: 24-48 hours after submitting removal request

NordSpam

Medium Impact

How to get delisted from NordSpam — a Nordic-region focused blocklist targeting spam sources.

Removal: Self-service removal form on NordSpam websiteTimeline: 24-48 hours after submitting removal request

GBUdb (Truncate)

Medium Impact

How to recover from a GBUdb listing — a global reputation database with no manual removal process.

Removal: No manual removal — reputation recovers automatically based on improved sending behaviorTimeline: 1-4 weeks (reputation-based, depends on volume of clean traffic)

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my domain removed from an email blacklist?
Run a multi-blacklist check to identify where you're listed. Fix the root cause (compromised server, spam complaints, or open relay). Then submit a delisting request through each blacklist's official removal portal. After removal, set up monitoring to catch future listings early.
How long does email blacklist removal take?
It depends on the blacklist. Spamhaus typically delists within 1–2 hours. Barracuda removes immediately via their lookup portal. SpamCop listings expire automatically after 24–48 hours of clean sending. UCEPROTECT Level 1 auto-expires in 7 days.
Why did my domain get blacklisted?
Common causes include: a compromised email account sending spam, high spam complaint rates, hitting spam traps (addresses that catch bad list practices), an open relay on your mail server, or sending large volume from a new IP without warmup.
Can I get delisted from Spamhaus myself?
Yes. Spamhaus offers a self-service removal portal. Visit their lookup tool, enter your IP or domain, and follow the instructions for your specific listing type (SBL, XBL, or PBL). Most removals are instant or same-day.

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