What is an Email Blocklist?
Often known as an “email blacklist,” an email blocklist is a list of blocked emails, domains, or IP addresses that are suspected of sending spam or malicious content. Blocklists are real-time databases meant to protect users and lower the mass of spam emails sent daily. There are multiple public blocklists, and they can be created by an email provider or an email user.
Blocklists can be used in a variety of contexts, such as email filtering, web content filtering, and network security. Email service providers (ESP) may use a blocklist to prevent incoming message from known spam senders.
Why does ActiveCampaign use the term blocklist instead of blacklist?
For two reasons:
- “Block” is a far more accurate term to use than “black.”
- Assigning negative connotation to a word that is also used to describe a group of people is unhelpful and damaging.
How do I stop my email from being blacklisted?
Having your IP or domain added to an email blocklist can seriously impact your deliverability and profitability of your email strategy.
There are 3 primary ways to avoid being blocklisted:
- Make sure subscribers double opt-in to your email list
- Allow users to easily unsubscribe from emails
- Remove inactive contacts from your email list on a regular basis
How do I know if my email is blocklisted?
Use the MX Toolbox checker by entering your emails server IP or your domain name.