Ways to NOT Get on an E-mail Lead’s Blacklist
A blacklist is a database of Internet addresses (IP) of known persons and/or companies that send spam. Spammers use open relays, host Web sites, and distribute marketing spamming software. You can maintain a list of Internet addresses that support spammers.
If you have purchased your leads from an outside source, you may unknowingly have come across a list of names that was generated by a spammer. Spammers often use software that will generate random addresses for spamming purposes and they do not attempt to remove e-mail addresses that have been bounced or are undeliverable. When you purchase their list and attempt to deliver marketing information the Internet Service Provider (ISP may assume that the sender is attempting to spam and this will result in your e-mail or domain name being blocked or blacklisted. To reverse the error is not an easy task and you may end up having to register a new domain name and using another e-mail. To say the least this will be very costly and you will be starting over with your Internet marketing business.
Keeping your list clean and managing it well goes a long way to staying off a blacklist. When you receive e-mail that has been bounced, you can set it aside and try again or simply delete it. The same goes for undeliverable e-mail addresses. Make certain that when a prospect opts-out you do not continue to send them e-mail propaganda. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) begins getting complaints about you, the chances that you will be considered a spammer are high and you can lose your ability to do business on the Internet.
If you have been accused of spam and placed on a blacklist you can try to remove yourself:
- Locate what blacklist you are on
- Go to the website that matches to that blacklist
- Look at the information on that website to understand what has happened
- Follow the directions that are listed to remove yourself
To remove your e-mail address or domain name from the open relay database (ORDB) submit your Internet Service Provider address to them and they will check their queue. It may take as long as 72 hours before your request is processed so be patient. Your host will only be removed if they find that you do not have an open relay. What is difficult about this is that a spammer could have easily submitted your address as the origination of their spam and if you are able to correct the problem there is no guarantee that you have fixed all the configurations on your server. You may be unaware of several open relays in your system.
If you were blacklisted maliciously and have taken the steps to remove your e-mail address and/or domain name from the blacklist, you can report the user who accused you of spamming to a “Spamcop blocking list.” You will need to send the entire report and proof that the user did subscribe for your list and this proof needs to show a two-way confirmation. Include the Internet Service Providers address and date-stamps for both the signup and confirmation e-mails.
You can do little if you have found yourself on the Spam Prevention Early Warning System (SPEW). If the spam stops, your e-mail address and your domain name will be eventually removed. If you have been placed on this list is usually is because there is a spam related problem with your host so you should contact them to find out why you have been placed on this list. If anyone can get your e-mail address or domain name off the server, your host provider will be able too.
Mail Abuse Prevention System (MAPS) cannot affect your domain name but can adversely affect your e-mail address. If you have been placed on their list, contact them immediately, and explain your circumstances. When you explain you do not want to be an easy target for spammers they will help you with resources and remove your name from their list.
In summary, you want to be careful where you get your leads from and whom you allow onto your lists. Realize though that as diligent as you are in keeping your list free from spammers you may occasionally run into addresses that have not given their permission to receive your information and when you realize the address is not valid make sure you remove it from your list quickly. It may also work to your advantage to inform your prospects of the potential of spammers and to let you know immediately if they receive e-mail marketing that they did not ask for.
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