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Is my website
blacklisted?

Check your domain or IP against 14+ DNS-based blacklists in seconds. Find out if you're flagged for malware, phishing, SEO spam, or email abuse — and learn exactly what to do about it.

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14+ blacklists checked simultaneously Domain and IP reputation MX, NS, and TXT record inspection CDN & proxy detection
How it works

What a website blacklist check actually does

Understanding what we check, how DNSBL lookups work, and why both your domain and your server IP need to be checked.

1

Resolve the domain to its server IP

We begin by resolving your domain to its current A record IP address. Both the domain name and the IP are relevant because blacklists track them separately — a domain can be flagged for hosting phishing or SEO spam pages, while the IP can be blacklisted due to mail abuse, bot traffic, or a compromised neighbor on a shared server.

2

Run parallel DNSBL lookups

We query 14+ DNS-Based Blackhole Lists (DNSBLs) simultaneously. For each blacklist, we reverse the IP octets and append the blacklist zone, then perform a DNS A query. An NXDOMAIN response means not listed. A 127.x.x.x response means the IP is flagged — and we capture the return code to give you the specific listing reason.

3

Detect CDN and proxy layers

Many websites sit behind Cloudflare, Sucuri, or other CDN and WAF providers. We detect proxy IPs automatically using IP range matching and ASN lookups, then flag when the resolved IP belongs to a proxy rather than your origin server — since checking the CDN's IP tells you nothing about your own website's reputation.

4

Inspect DNS records

We retrieve your MX, NS, and TXT records to give you a broader view of your domain's configuration. MX records reveal your mail infrastructure (relevant for email reputation), NS records show your authoritative nameservers, and TXT records often contain SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and domain verification tokens that affect deliverability.

Malware
Malicious code, drive-by scripts, phishing pages, and unsafe redirects that get a site flagged by security vendors and search engines.
SEO Spam
Injected hidden links, fake product pages, pharma doorways, and keyword stuffing that damage search rankings and user trust.
Mail Spam
A blacklisted IP or domain causes email bounces, spam folder placement, and damaged sender reputation for newsletters and transactional mail.
Website Trust
Browsers, search engines, and security tools evaluate reputation signals. Listings cause browser warnings, deindexing, and conversion loss.
Root causes

Why do websites get blacklisted?

Most blacklistings share a short list of root causes. Understanding them is the first step toward getting removed — and staying off permanently.

🦠

Malware injection

Attackers compromise the site and inject malicious JavaScript, PHP shells, or malicious redirects. The site looks normal to the owner but delivers malware or phishing pages to visitors. This is the most common cause of search engine and browser blacklistings.

🔗

SEO spam and hidden links

Hackers inject hidden links to pharmaceutical sites, gambling pages, or other spammy domains to boost their own rankings. The injected content is often invisible to site owners and only visible to search engine crawlers or users arriving from search results.

🎣

Phishing pages

A compromised website may host fake login pages mimicking banks, payment processors, or popular services. These are quickly detected by phishing intelligence feeds and reported to search engines, browsers, and hosting providers, leading to blacklisting within hours.

📧

Email spam from your server

If your server or a compromised script sends spam, your server IP ends up on mail-specific DNS blacklists. This affects everyone on the same IP — not just the offending script. WordPress and contact forms are frequently exploited to send spam without the owner's knowledge.

🏘️

Shared hosting contamination

On shared hosting, hundreds of sites share the same IP address. If another website on your server is flagged for abuse, your IP can be blacklisted by association — even if your own site is completely clean. This is called a "bad neighbor" listing and requires moving to a dedicated IP or new host.

🔓

Outdated or vulnerable CMS

WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal sites running outdated core versions, themes, or plugins are the most frequent targets. Attackers use known CVEs to gain access and compromise the site. Keeping your CMS, themes, and every plugin up to date is the single most effective preventive measure.

🤖

Open relay or proxy abuse

Misconfigured mail servers that allow unauthenticated relaying, or servers running open proxy software, are quickly discovered by automated scanners and added to blocklists. This typically affects self-managed VPS or dedicated servers rather than shared hosting.

📋

Spam complaints and abuse reports

Sending bulk email to lists with outdated or unverified contacts generates spam complaints that are reported to services like SpamCop. A high complaint rate can list your IP or domain even if the emails were technically legitimate — list hygiene and unsubscribe handling matter.

Delisting guide

How to get removed from a blacklist

Getting removed requires fixing the actual problem first — submitting a delisting request before cleaning up the site will result in relisting within days. Follow these steps in order.

1

Identify every listing

Use this tool to find which specific blacklists have flagged your domain or IP. Note the listing type (spam vs. malware) and the provider's lookup URL for each one — each provider has a different delisting process.

✓ You're already doing this step here at IsBlacklisted.net
2

Remove the malware or spam source

Audit your site files for injected code, backdoors, and unknown files. Check for newly created admin accounts, modified core files, and unauthorized plugins. On WordPress, tools like Wordfence, MalCare, or a manual file diff against a clean install are effective starting points. If you can't identify it yourself, hire a professional malware remediation service.

3

Secure the site to prevent re-infection

Change all passwords — hosting control panel, FTP/SFTP, CMS admin, and database. Update your CMS core, themes, and every plugin. Remove unused or outdated themes and plugins entirely. Add a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to block common attack patterns. Enable two-factor authentication on all admin accounts.

4

Request removal from each blacklist

Visit the lookup URL for each blacklist where you are listed. Most provide a delisting form — fill it out accurately and briefly explain what the issue was and what you've done to fix it. Do not submit multiple requests for the same listing; it can delay processing. Keep a record of each submission.

⚠ Do not request removal before the site is fully clean — relisting is common
5

Request review from Google Search Console

If Google has flagged your site with a "Harmful content" or "Hacked site" manual action, go to Google Search Console → Security & Manual Actions → Security Issues. After cleaning the site, request a review there too. Google's review typically takes 1–3 business days for first requests.

6

Monitor and recheck regularly

Run another blacklist check 24–48 hours after submitting removal requests to confirm you're off the lists. Set up periodic monitoring — unexpected relisting may indicate the vulnerability was not fully closed. Regular checks catch new issues early before they cause significant traffic or email damage.

✓ Bookmark IsBlacklisted.net for recurring checks
Transparency

Which blacklists do we check?

We check the following DNS-based IP reputation lists in real time. These lists were selected because they support open queries from shared environments. Several high-authority lists like Spamhaus require a private data feed and cannot be reliably queried from public infrastructure — we flag these separately.

SpamCop BL
IPs reported for sending spam via SpamCop's user-reporting system. Auto-expires within 24–48h if no new reports.
SORBS Combined
Aggregated SORBS zone covering open proxies, relays, spam sources, and zombie hosts.
SORBS Spam
IPs observed sending spam messages to SORBS spam traps.
SORBS Open Proxy
IPs running open HTTP proxies potentially used for anonymous abuse.
SORBS Dial-Up / DUL
Dynamic/residential IP ranges not intended for direct mail delivery.
SORBS Open Relay
Mail servers misconfigured to relay email for any sender without authentication.
SORBS Compromised Web
Web servers found to be hosting malware, phishing, or other malicious content.
SORBS Zombie
IPs of hosts believed to be infected with malware and part of a botnet.
PSBL Passive Spam BL
Passive spam trap-based list. Low false positives; listing indicates confirmed spam traffic.
Mailspike BL
IP reputation list from Mailspike, focused on bulk and transactional email senders.
Mailspike Z-list
Mailspike's zone for IPs with a very low sending reputation score.
Mailspike Reputation
Aggregated sender reputation scoring across Mailspike's network.
InterServer RBL
Spam blacklist operated by InterServer focused on direct abuse reports.
Blocklist.de
IPs reported for brute-force attacks, SSH scanning, malware C2, and other abuse detected across a large sensor network.
Why aren't Spamhaus, SURBL, URIBL, or Senderscore listed above?
These are among the most authoritative blacklists, but they block or throttle queries from shared hosting environments and public resolvers. Spamhaus requires a paid Data Query Service (DQS) API key for commercial use. SURBL and URIBL block queries from public DNS resolvers. We show these lists in the results marked as "Denied" with an explanation rather than silently skipping them — because you should know they exist and check them directly using their own lookup tools.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean if my website is blacklisted?

It means your domain, your server IP, or both have been flagged by a security, spam, or reputation system. The system has determined your site or server appears to be unsafe, abusive, compromised, or associated with suspicious activity — such as malware distribution, phishing, SEO spam, or bulk email abuse. Being listed can affect search engine rankings, browser security warnings, and email deliverability.

Can a clean-looking website still be blacklisted?

Yes — this is extremely common. Many compromised websites look completely normal to site owners and logged-in admins while attackers silently plant injected pages, hidden links, or malicious JavaScript that are only visible to search crawlers, unauthenticated visitors, or specific traffic sources. Blacklists often detect the compromise before the site owner does.

How does being blacklisted affect my SEO and website traffic?

Significantly. Google and Bing can reduce your rankings, remove pages from their indexes, or display a "Site may be hacked" or "Deceptive site ahead" warning in search results. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox can block access to the site entirely. Security plugins and corporate firewalls may also block visitor access. This typically causes a sharp, sudden traffic drop that does not recover until the listing is resolved and the site is reviewed.

How does blacklisting affect email sent from my website?

If your sending IP or domain is listed on email-focused DNSBLs, your outbound email — including contact form notifications, WooCommerce order confirmations, newsletters, and password reset emails — may be rejected, bounced, or silently delivered to spam folders by recipient mail servers. SpamCop, SORBS, and PSBL are email-centric lists. Blocklist.de covers broader abuse including brute-force attacks and SSH scanning.

How do I get my website removed from a blacklist?

The process has two phases: first, fix the underlying issue (remove malware, patch the CMS, close the vulnerability); second, submit a delisting request to each blacklist provider. Each provider has its own delisting form — the links appear in the detailed results table after running a check here. Do not submit requests before the site is clean, as the listing will return. Some lists like SpamCop expire automatically within 24–48 hours without any action needed, while others require manual review.

How long does blacklist removal take?

It varies by provider. SpamCop listings auto-expire in 24–48 hours if no new spam is received. SORBS typically processes manual delisting requests within 2–5 business days. Google's manual action reviews take 1–3 business days for first requests and can take longer for recurring issues. The key variable is whether the underlying abuse has stopped — lists with automated expiration won't delist if new spam or abuse is still being generated from your IP.

What is a DNSBL and how does it actually work?

DNSBL stands for DNS-Based Blackhole List. It's a method of publishing IP address blacklists using the standard DNS protocol. To check whether an IP (e.g., 192.0.2.1) is listed on a blacklist zone (e.g., bl.spamcop.net), the IP octets are reversed (1.2.0.192) and appended to the zone to form a DNS query: 1.2.0.192.bl.spamcop.net. If the IP is not listed, the DNS lookup returns NXDOMAIN. If listed, it returns a 127.x.x.x address — the specific return code often encodes the reason for the listing.

Why does my server IP matter if my own domain is clean?

Your IP address is tied to a physical or virtual server. On shared hosting, that IP is often shared among hundreds of websites from different customers. If any other site on the same IP engages in spam or abuse, the IP itself can be blacklisted — affecting your email deliverability and potentially your site's reputation even though you did nothing wrong. This is called a "bad neighbor" listing. Moving to a dedicated IP or a different hosting provider is sometimes the only resolution.

My site is behind Cloudflare. Will the check work?

The check will still run, but the IP it resolves to will be a Cloudflare edge IP rather than your origin server. We detect this automatically and flag it in the results. Checking a Cloudflare IP against blacklists tells you about Cloudflare's IP reputation — not your origin server's. If you want to check your actual server IP, you can enter it directly (if you know it) instead of the domain name.

How often should I check if my website is blacklisted?

For most websites, a weekly check is a reasonable baseline. If you run e-commerce, process payments, handle user data, or send transactional email, daily checks or automated monitoring is a better standard. Any sudden drop in organic traffic, email bounce rate spike, or user reports of browser warnings should trigger an immediate check. Catching a listing early — before Google's crawler re-indexes the site in its blacklisted state — significantly reduces the recovery time.