Domain blacklist checking can play a crucial role in an individual and organization’s online security.
Thanks to threat reporting and sharing mechanisms, the internet has multiple institutions maintaining DNS-based blocklists to filter out malicious actors.
Organizations can use these databases to block any possible nefarious attempts that can target their business, employees, and/or customers. One can utilize these blocklists for periodic scanning, phishing protection, bolstering network defenses, preventing malware distribution, and more.
In addition to proactive safety, it will help ensure the brand reputation remains intact.
And even in the case of any security incident, such denylists can assist in tracing the attack’s origin and preparing for a targeted response.
In further sections, I will list a few Domain Blacklist Monitoring tools. I would advise you to have a sample domain handy to check along with and see these tools in action.
Just so you know, I’ll be using a publicly available Google Workspace IP address for this demonstration.
Best Domain Blacklist Checker Tools
DotCom-Tools
DotCom Tools DNSBL test can check for blacklisting from three different locations without creating an account.
This utility scans these blacklists:
- psbl.surriel.com
- dnsbl.sorbs.net
- bl.spamcop.net
- zen.spamhaus.org
- b.barracudacentral.org
- all.spamrats.com
These were the results:
With the DotCom blacklist monitor, you can set up automatic testing. So, you would be notified if your listed server comes into any of those lists. One can try the auto-testing feature free for 30-days.
SiteChecker
Like the previous one, Blacklist Checker comes bundled-in in all SiteChecker’s subscriptions.
At present, this blacklist checker supports scanning from over 15 blacklists.
HetrixTools Blacklist Check
The Blacklist Check from HetrixTools can find, in just a few seconds, if your IP address is blacklisted on over 90 IP blacklists and if your domain is blacklisted on over 25 domain blacklists.
A delisting link and extra info are provided for every found blacklist to help you get delisted faster.
Inmotion Hosting
Inmotion Hosting’s blacklist checker looks over a comprehensive database of 71 DNSBLs.
Admittedly, this has no fancy user interface and lacks the auto-testing feature as well.
MXToolBox: Blacklists
Blacklist by MXToolBox scans around 100 DNS-based blacklists
MXToolBox has paid subscription plans for comprehensive blacklist testing. Even its free plan has auto testing that tests every week from 30 blacklists.
SpamHaus
SpamHaus has a clean interface to check out for any blacklisting. You can simply put it in the search bar and click Lookup.
Notably, this isn’t a monitoring solution. So, features like a subscription or automatic monitoring are absent.
DNS Checker
This Blacklist Checker tool scans over 50 blacklists. It checks both IP and Email Blacklists.
DNS checker also doesn’t support any monitoring subscription.
Site24x7
Site24x7, as evidenced by the title, comes with a wholesome monitoring package that includes the Blacklist check as well.
 |  |
Currently, it scours from 10+ blacklist databases. All its plans with a 30-day free trial and has a real-time domain blacklist check.
DNSBL.info
DNSBL.info is an excellent tool that gathers results from close to 50 blacklists.
Just enter your IP address and click Check this IP to get the output.
MultiRBL
This DNSBL lookup utility checks from over 200 sources to ensure your email marketing goes on as planned.
It’s free to use and doesn’t have any subscription options.
Now, we discuss some FAQs related to domain blacklists.
FAQs
There are several reasons which can cause blacklisting.
Some of them are:
Your emails have been reported as spam.
An ISP (or even a country) is blacklisted.
Your server (ISP, email provider) lacks proper configuration or has malware.
Your IP has been detected in a Business Email Compromise attack due to criminal behavior.
These are some of the most common reasons which can land you on a DNS-based blacklist. Delisting depends on the specific list and the reason that got you there.
DNSBL, also called DNS blacklists, is a resource used by email providers to keep their users’ inboxes spam-free.
These lists are managed by 3rd-party agencies. And you have to request removal if the domain you use for sending emails is placed on one after solving the issue that caused the listing, of course.
Being on a DNSBL is never a good thing. They can cause email delivery issues like failed delivery or bounce-backs.
And generally, they aren’t great for your market reputation either. Additionally, they alienate you from your prospects, causing losses.
Wrapping Up
While seeing your server IP on a blacklist is very unpleasant, you shouldn’t panic. Just send a removal request, or use blacklist removal services, depending on the particular blacklist, to begin the delisting process.
The removal process depends upon the magnitude of the issue, but you should never repeat the problem.