How do I find out my mail server blacklisted?

by Vivek Gite · 8 comments

Q. How do I find out if my e-mail server IP address is blacklisted?

A. First make sure you are not source of spam:

a) You have correct reverse IP address mapping

b) Your mail server is not open to spammers

mxtoolbox offers test that will check a mail server IP address against 147 DNS-based blacklists. (Commonly called Realtime blacklists, blocklists, DNSBLs or RBLs). If your mail server has been blacklisted, some email you send may not be delivered. Blacklisting is a common way of reducing spam.

Step # 1: Find out your mail server ip address

For example if your domain name is nixcraft.com
$ host -t mx nixcraft.comOutput:

nixcraft.com mail is handled by 10 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com.

Get IP address of this host:
$ host -t a ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com.Output:

ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.com has address 72.14.205.27

Step # 2: Now visit mxtoolbox site and enter a mail server IP address 72.14.205.27

=> Visit mxtoolbox web site.
=> Enter IP address

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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

1 John Chow 02.10.09 at 8:56 pm

As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you

2 Yonis Khan 02.10.09 at 9:18 pm

amazing stuff thanx :)

3 S Smith 02.26.09 at 3:40 am

Thank you for your help!

4 Slots 03.19.09 at 4:43 pm

Finally, the answers that I was looking for! Cheers mate.

5 Matthew S 10.26.09 at 2:57 pm

Very good suggestions with some good content.well, keep up it…..

6 Limousine Software 11.12.09 at 11:11 pm

I was looking for this info. thanks.

7 News Script 12.04.09 at 11:02 pm

Thanks for the great post and for sharing some really good tips.

8 اخبار مصر 12.21.09 at 4:12 pm

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