Don't Panic, Act
Being blacklisted feels like a death sentence, but it's usually reversible. Speed is key.
Step 1: Identify the List
Use a tool like MXToolbox to see which blacklist you are on (Spamhaus, SORBS, Barracuda, etc.). Spamhaus is the most critical.
Step 2: Find the Cause
Blacklists don't ban you for no reason. Did you hit a spam trap? Was your account compromised? Did you send to a purchased list? You must fix the root cause before asking for removal.
Step 3: The Cleanup
Pause all campaigns. Change your passwords. Run a full verification on your list. Remove all unengaged subscribers.
Step 4: The Delisting Request
Go to the blacklist's website and look for their removal form. Be humble and specific. Explain what happened and exactly what you did to fix it. 'We cleaned our list and implemented 2FA' is better than 'Please remove us'.
Step 5: The Slow Return
Once removed, don't go full throttle. Warm up your IP again as if it were new. Prove to the ISPs that you are a reformed sender.
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