Spamhaus Check and Removal
Spamhaus is the blocklist most mail servers check first. A listing means your mail is bouncing or landing in spam across a large share of the internet, right now. The good news: removal is always free, and many listings clear on their own once the problem stops.
Examples:
Step 1: Find Out Which List You're On
| List | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| SBL | Your IP was tied to spam activity. | Your ISP or hosting provider handles removal. |
| XBL / CSS | A hacked machine, compromised account, or bad mail setup is sending spam. | Fix it, then remove the listing yourself. |
| PBL | Not a spam listing. Your IP is in a range that shouldn't send mail directly, like home broadband. | Running a real mail server? Request an exclusion. |
| DBL | Your domain showed up in spam, phishing, or malware. | Fix the cause, then request removal. |
Step 2: Fix the Cause First
Requesting removal before you fix the problem just gets you listed again. The usual suspects: a hacked email account, malware on a machine on your network, a website form sending spam, or a mailing list full of old or purchased addresses. Our delisting checklist walks through each one.
Step 3: Request Removal
Look up your IP or domain at check.spamhaus.org and follow the steps for your list. Removal is always free; Spamhaus says anyone charging for it is running a scam.
Don't Find Out From a Bounce Message
A Spamhaus listing can hit any sending IP on any day. Generator Labs checks your IPs and domains against Spamhaus and 150+ other data sources and alerts you by email, Slack, SMS, or webhook when a listing appears, so you're fixing it before your customers notice. Free for your first host.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Spamhaus listings.
How long does removal take?
It depends on the list. Some listings expire a few days after the spam stops; others clear as soon as you request removal through check.spamhaus.org.
Do I have to pay to get removed?
No. Spamhaus never charges for removal.
Is a PBL listing a problem?
Only if you send mail straight from that IP. Mail sent through your provider's mail server isn't affected.
Other Blacklists
How to get off each of the blacklists that matter most.