How to Remove Your Email from Blacklists
Email marketing is tough enough without having to worry about your emails ending up in the dreaded blacklist. It's a common problem that can happen to even the most seasoned marketers. And it's not always because you did something wrong, sometimes it's just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It can be because of being marked as spam by an overly aggressive spam filter, being added to a blacklist by mistake, or having your IP address or domain blacklisted due to the actions of other senders can all lead to your emails being blocked or filtered into spam folders. These external factors can impact your email deliverability, even if you are following best practices and sending high-quality, relevant content to your subscribers. However, there are steps you can take to get your email off blacklists and improve your deliverability.
But don't despair, getting your email out of a blacklist is possible. You just need to know how to do it. With the right steps, you can regain control of your email deliverability and get your messages back in front of your subscribers. So, let's learn how to get your email out of the blacklist and back to delivering your messages with confidence.
5 Steps to Remove Your Email from Blacklists
- Determine which blacklist your email is on: The first step in removing your email from a blacklist is to determine which blacklist it is listed on. To do this, you can use a blacklist check tool, such as MXToolbox or MultiRBL. Simply enter your email address into the tool and it will tell you if it is listed on any blacklists and which ones.
- Request removal from the blacklist: Once you know which blacklist your email is listed on, you can request removal from that blacklist. Every blacklist has its own process for removal, so be sure to research the specific blacklist and follow the instructions provided. This may involve filling out a form with information about your email practices or resolving the issue that caused the listing in the first place.
Consider reaching out directly to the owner of the blacklist. This may involve sending an email, making a phone call, or filling out a contact form on the blacklist's website. By speaking directly with the owner, you may be able to resolve the issue more quickly and get your email removed from the blacklist.
- Clean up your email list: One of the main reasons emails end up on blacklists is because they're being sent to invalid or inactive email addresses. To prevent this, regularly clean up your email list and remove any addresses that are no longer active. Additionally, consider using double opt-in to confirm that new subscribers actually want to receive emails from you.
- Improve your email practices: Finally, make sure that your overall email practices are in line with industry standards. This includes adhering to best practices for sending frequency, content, and subject lines, as well as avoiding practices that are commonly associated with spam, such as using misleading subject lines or sending emails to people who haven't explicitly opted in to receive them. By improving your email practices, you can avoid getting listed on blacklists in the future.
- Monitor your email deliverability: Regularly monitor the deliverability of your emails to ensure that they're reaching your subscribers. You can use tools like Return Path or Litmus to track your deliverability rate and get insights into why certain emails may not be reaching your subscribers. This can help you identify any issues early on and take steps to resolve them before they lead to a blacklist listing.
Here's a pro tip from SendPost that's not text-bookish but works: When reaching out to the blacklist for removal, try to personalize your request as much as possible. This can involve addressing the person responsible for the blacklist by name, explaining why your email ended up on the blacklist, and highlighting the steps you've taken to resolve the issue. A personal touch can go a long way in helping your request get approved.
What Can You Do to Avoid This In The Future?
If you're unable to get your email removed from the blacklist, consider using a different email address. This can be a temporary solution while you work on resolving the issue that caused the blacklisting. Just be sure to inform your subscribers of the change so they know to look for emails from a different address in the future.
Removing an email from a blacklist can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, but it's important for maintaining the deliverability of your emails and ensuring that your messages reach your subscribers. To avoid ending up on a blacklist in the future, it's crucial to regularly clean up your email list, improve your email practices, and monitor your deliverability.
To further improve your chances of avoiding blacklists, consider using a professional email marketing service such as SendPost. With its high deliverability, robust technology, and focus on best practices, SendPost can help you avoid common email marketing pitfalls and ensure that your emails reach your subscribers every time.