Spamhaus Lookup & Removal Help | InboxAlly Guide
Written by Eric J
Updated at July 31st, 2025
Overview
Spamhaus is the most well-respected and widely used blocklist in the world. A listing at Spamhaus will have a negative effect on your ability to deliver emails to your customers’ inboxes and can cause bounce rates of over 50%. Evidence suggests that most of the top North American ISPs use Spamhaus to inform blocking decisions.
Spamhaus is a high-impact blocklist and email deliverability will be negatively affected.
How it works
Unlike many blocklists, Spamhaus lists senders manually. This means that they are proactively watching sender activity, collecting data, and basing the listings on a number of variables. Most commonly, senders are listed for mailing to spam trap addresses that Spamhaus owns. Sometimes Spamhaus will list senders based on recipient feedback as well.
Key Spamhaus Services and Lists
| SpamhausSBL (Spamhaus Blocklist) | Lists IPs sending spam or operating spam services |
|---|---|
| Spamhaus XBL (Exploits Blocklist) | IPs involved in malware, open proxies, or infected PCs |
| Spamhaus PBL (Policy Blocklist) | Ps not meant to send mail directly to the internet (e.g., residential IPs) |
| Spamhaus DBL (Domain Blocklist) | Domains found in spam or associated with spam campaigns |
| Spamhaus ZEN | Combined list of SBL, XBL, PBL, and others – the most widely used all-in-one blocklist |
| DROP/EDROP | Lists netblocks controlled by spammers or cybercriminals |
Remediation
Spamhaus listings remain active until the root issue is resolved. If your IP or domain is eligible, you can submit a manual delisting request through their website after fixing the cause (e.g., spam, malware, misconfiguration). See www.spamhaus.org for full guidance.
Removal requests that are submitted without addressing the core problem are likely to cause your IP Address or Domain to be relisted with longer listing periods.
Check if your email domain or IP is blocked. Perform an Email Blacklist Check with our tool that scans over 50 key blacklists for quick answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Spamhaus blocking my emails?
Spamhaus itself doesn't block emails, but email servers often use Spamhaus blocklists to reject or filter messages. If your IP or domain appears on a Spamhaus list, it’s usually due to spam trap hits, unauthenticated emails, malware activity, or the unsolicited nature of your campaigns.
How do I get unblocked by Spamhaus?
To get delisted, visit check.spamhaus.org and use their IP and Domain Reputation Checker tool to enter your IP or domain. If eligible, you’ll be guided through a removal request process. Before submitting, resolve the underlying issue (such as spam traps, open relays, unsolicited bulk email, or compromised systems) to avoid relisting.
What does Spamhaus do?
Spamhaus maintains a comprehensive blocklist system that provides real-time threat intelligence to email providers, ISPs, and networks worldwide. These blocklists help filter spam, detect malware, and protect users from harmful or unsolicited email by identifying suspicious IPs, domains, and infrastructure. The system is designed to make the IP lookup faster and simpler for mail servers and security tools.
Why am I listed on Spamhaus?
Common reasons include sending to spam traps, operating an unsecured or infected mail server, poor email hygiene, or violating sender policy (e.g., sending from a dynamic IP). The specific cause is detailed in your listing record on Spamhaus's lookup tool.
Does Google use Spamhaus IP blocklists?
Google does not officially confirm its use of specific blocklists, but evidence suggests Gmail and other major providers incorporate Spamhaus data as part of their spam filtering and sender reputation systems.
What is Spamhaus ZEN?
The ZEN blocklist is a combined DNS query-based list that integrates the Spamhaus SBLCSS, XBL, and PBL blocklists into a single, fast-responding ZEN dataset. It’s commonly used by email servers via a single DNS query to scan incoming IPs for signs of abuse or spam behavior.
How do I check if I'm listed on Spamhaus ZEN?
To check your status, perform an IP lookup using Spamhaus’s web tool. If you’re listed in ZEN, the tool will show which underlying list (SBL, XBL, PBL) triggered the entry and provide guidance for resolution if applicable.
What is Spamhaus PBL?
The Spamhaus Policy Block List (PBL) includes IP ranges that aren’t meant to send email directly, usually dynamic or residential IPs. It helps ensure that only a properly configured Internet mail server sends outbound mail. Being listed doesn’t mean you’ve sent spam, but your IP likely isn’t suitable for running an internet mail server.
What is Spamhaus XBL?
The Spamhaus Exploits Block List (XBL) contains IP addresses linked to malware, open proxies, and other exploited systems. It’s designed to block traffic from infected devices or servers that have been compromised and are being used to send spam or malicious content.
What is Spamhaus DQS (Data Query Service)?
The Spamhaus Data Query Service (DQS) is a cloud-based API that allows email providers and security systems to access Spamhaus’s real-time blocklists. DQS enables fast, reliable lookups against threat data, including IPs, domains, and URLs, without needing to host a local DNSBL. It’s designed to simplify integration and ensure accurate filtering using Spamhaus’s most up-to-date intelligence.