How to Know if Your Cold Email Was Blacklisted and How to Fix It

There are multiple strategies business can (and should) employ for success in marketing. From developing a comprehensive strategy, to choosing your platforms (Social marketing, Google Ads, Facebook remarketing, email marketing and so on) to Click Rate Optimisation practices, , there are many things to consider.  

Something that many people still rely on, is Cold emailing, which — if used correctly — can be a powerful tool for reaching potential clients and expanding your business leads. However, one of the significant challenges associated with cold emailing is the risk of getting blacklisted. An email blacklist is a database of IP addresses, domains, and email addresses perceived as sending spam. For businesses trying to reach an audience, this is detrimental to your efforts.  

Being blacklisted can severely impact your email deliverability, making it difficult for your emails to reach their intended recipients. This sadly includes your daily emails to clients, which means, being on a spam list can actually affect your bottom line.  

This article will guide you through identifying if your cold email was blacklisted and provide steps to fix the issue. 

*Did you know that only 83.1% of marketing emails actually reach their recipients? This means nearly 17% of your efforts might be going to waste 

How to Know if Your Cold Email Was Blacklisted 

1. Sudden Drop in Email Metrics

One of the first signs that your email might be blacklisted is a sudden and significant drop in your email campaign metrics. If you notice a sharp decline in open rates, click-through rates, and overall engagement, it could be an indication that your emails are being filtered out or blocked entirely. For instance, if your open rate drops from 40% to 5% in a short period, it’s a strong signal that something is amiss. 

2. Increased Bounce Rates

A high bounce rate is another indicator that your emails might be blacklisted. If a large number of your emails are bouncing back as undeliverable, it could mean that your sending IP or domain is on a blacklist. This often happens when email providers reject your emails due to their spam filters.

3. Spam Complaints

Receiving a high number of spam complaints is a common reason for getting blacklisted. If recipients frequently mark your emails as spam, email service providers (ESPs) will take note and may add your IP or domain to a blacklist to protect their users from unwanted emails.

4. Blacklist Check Tools

If you suspect any of the above, then you may want to use a blacklist check tool such as MXToolbox, Spamhaus, or Sender Score. These tools allow you to check if your IP address or domain is listed on any major blacklists. Regularly monitoring your email reputation using these tools can help you stay ahead of potential blacklisting issues. 

Reasons for Getting Blacklisted 

Understanding the reasons behind blacklisting can help you avoid the issue recurring into the future. Here are some common causes:

1. Poor Email List Hygiene

Sending emails to outdated or invalid addresses can lead to high bounce rates and spam complaints, both of which can get you blacklisted. It’s essential to maintain a clean email list by regularly removing inactive or incorrect email addresses.

2. Spam Traps

Spam traps are email addresses specifically created to catch spammers. Sending emails to these addresses indicates poor list management, poor email capture practices and usually results in blacklisting.  

Three Piece Marketing thoroughly recommend that you avoid purchasing email lists, as they often contain spam traps.

3. High Volume of Emails

A sudden increase in the volume of emails sent can raise red flags with email providers. If you typically send a few emails per week and suddenly send hundreds in a day, it can trigger spam filters and lead to blacklisting.

4. Lack of Personalization

Sending identical, non-personalized emails to a large number of recipients can also trigger spam filters. Personalized emails are less likely to be marked as spam and can improve your engagement rates. 

The above list is far from definitive, and in fact is the tip of the iceberg only. Other reasons can include: 

• Deceptive subject lines such as clickbait 
• Use of spammy words through the content 
• Poorly designed HTML emails  
• Spelling mistakes, grammatical issues and poor UX design.  
• Erratic email frequency 
• Sending unsolicited emails 

How to Fix a Blacklisted Email 

If you find that your email has been blacklisted, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to resolve the issue and restore your email deliverability.

1. Identify the Blacklist

The first step is to identify which blacklist your email is on. Use blacklist check tools to determine where your IP or domain is listed. Each blacklist has its own criteria and processes for delisting, so it’s essential to know where you stand.

2. Understand the Reason for Blacklisting

Once you’ve identified the blacklist, take steps to understand why you were listed.  Addressing the root cause is crucial for successful delisting. 

3. Follow the Delisting Process

Each blacklist has a specific process for requesting removal. Visit the website of the blacklist provider and follow their delisting instructions. This typically involves submitting a request and providing relevant information about your email practices. Be honest and transparent in your request and explain the steps you’ve taken to resolve the issue. 

4. Improve Your Email Practices

To prevent future blacklisting, it’s essential to improve your email practices. Here are some best practices to follow: 

• Maintain a Clean Email List: Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or invalid addresses. Use email verification tools to ensure the accuracy of your list. 
• Use Double Opt-In: Implement a double opt-in process to confirm that recipients genuinely want to receive your emails. This reduces the risk of spam complaints and improves engagement. 
• Personalize Your Emails: Personalize your emails to make them more relevant to the recipient. Avoid sending identical emails to a large number of recipients. 
• Monitor Your Email Metrics: Regularly monitor your email metrics to identify any sudden changes that could indicate a problem. Use email monitoring tools to keep track of your sender reputation. 
• Limit Email Volume: Avoid sending a large volume of emails in a short period. Gradually increase your sending volume to build a positive sender reputation. 
• Improve subject lines, grammar and the overall layout of your email. 

5. Monitor and Follow Up

After submitting a delisting request, monitor the status of your request and follow up if necessary. Some blacklists may take time to process your request, so be patient and persistent. Continue to monitor your email metrics and sender reputation to ensure that you remain in good standing. 

Preventive Measures to Avoid Blacklisting 

Whilst it is not always possible to prevent being blacklisted at some point, there are some preventive measures you can employ to help you avoid getting email blacklisted in the first place:

1. Build an Organic Email List

Focus on building an organic email list of recipients who have explicitly opted in to receive your emails. Avoid purchasing email lists, as they often contain invalid addresses and spam traps.

2. Use Email Authentication

Implement email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These protocols help verify the authenticity of your emails and improve your sender reputation.

3. Provide an Easy Unsubscribe Option

Make it easy for recipients to unsubscribe from your emails. Providing a clear and accessible unsubscribe link reduces the likelihood of spam complaints.

4. Segment Your Email List

Segment your email list to send targeted and relevant content to different groups of recipients. This improves engagement and reduces the risk of spam complaints. Consider splitting your lists by geography, place in a purchase cycle, by loyalty and so forth. 

5. Monitor Your Sending Practices

Regularly monitor your sending practices and email metrics. Use email monitoring tools to keep track of your sender reputation and identify any potential issues early on. 

Email Deliverability is Key 

Getting blacklisted can be a significant setback for your cold email campaigns, but it’s not the end of the road. By understanding the signs of blacklisting, identifying the reasons behind it, and following the steps to fix the issue, you can restore your email deliverability and continue reaching your target audience. Implementing best practices and preventive measures will help you avoid future blacklisting and ensure the success of your email marketing efforts.  

If you would like any assistance with being delisted, creating a new email campaign or any other marketing help, please get in touch with us today.