UCEProtect — Check, Delist & Monitor
Check if you're listed on UCEProtect. Listings auto-expire in 7 days, or pay 50 EUR for instant removal. Most major providers ignore this list entirely.
Impact & Usage
Very few legitimate providers use UCEProtect. Gmail, Microsoft, and Yahoo do not reference it. Its pay-to-delist model is widely criticized.
Typical users: Very few legitimate providers; Gmail, Microsoft, Yahoo do not use it; SendGrid refuses to action UCEProtect listings
What Gets You Listed
Automated listing when spam hits spamtraps; widely criticized pay-for-delisting model (50 EUR per IP for express removal)
How to Get Delisted
- Check your listing at uceprotect.net/en/rblcheck.php by entering your IP address.
- For Level 1 listings, identify and fix the spam source. The listing auto-expires after 7 days once spam stops.
- If you choose to pay for express removal (50 EUR per IP), follow the payment link on the lookup page. This is optional and widely considered unnecessary.
- For Level 2 or Level 3 listings (entire IP ranges), contact your hosting provider or ISP — these are out of your control as an individual IP owner.
Expected Timeline
7 days (automatic) or instant (50 EUR pay-to-delist)
Auto-delist: Automatic removal after 7 days once spam stops; express delisting for 50 EUR per IP
Common Causes
- Any spam hitting UCEProtect spamtraps — the threshold is very low
- Shared hosting or cloud IP ranges where other tenants trigger listings
- Level 2/3 escalation from neighboring IPs in the same allocation
Prevention Tips
- Do not pay for delisting — the listing has negligible real-world impact and paying encourages the model
- Focus your effort on blacklists that actually matter (Spamhaus, Barracuda, SpamCop)
- If you are listed, still investigate the root cause in case it indicates a real compromise
- Monitor with mxio to track UCEProtect alongside lists that have genuine delivery impact
Overview
UCEProtect is one of the most controversial blacklists in the email ecosystem. It operates a three-level system: Level 1 lists individual IPs, Level 2 lists entire IP allocations when multiple IPs in a range are flagged, and Level 3 lists entire ASNs (autonomous systems). The express delisting fee is 50 EUR per IP, and this pay-to-delist model has drawn widespread criticism from the email community.
The practical impact of a UCEProtect listing is minimal. Gmail, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, and virtually all major email providers do not reference UCEProtect in their filtering decisions. Major ESPs like SendGrid have publicly stated they refuse to action UCEProtect listings on behalf of customers. The list's real-world reach is limited to a small number of mail servers whose administrators have explicitly configured it.
That said, a UCEProtect listing can still serve as a useful signal. If your IP appears on Level 1, something triggered their spamtraps — and while UCEProtect's thresholds are low, the same activity might eventually get you listed on blacklists that do matter. Treat it as an early warning, not an emergency. Fix any legitimate issues, let the listing expire in 7 days, and spend your energy on the blacklists that actually affect delivery.
Monitor Your Blacklist Status
Get alerted the moment your IP or domain appears on a blacklist. Catch listings early, before they impact deliverability.
Set Up MonitoringRelated Blacklists
Check if you're listed on PSBL (Passive Spam Block List). Listings auto-expire in 2-3 weeks. Monitor your IP reputation automatically.
Check if you're listed on SpamRats DYNA. Delisting requires valid forward-confirmed reverse DNS. Monitor your IP reputation automatically.
Check if you're listed on UCEProtect Level 2. Lists entire /24 IP ranges — a Level 2 listing does not mean your server sent spam. Auto-delists after 7 days.
Check if you're listed on UCEProtect Level 3. Lists entire ASNs (hosting providers). A Level 3 listing does not mean your server sent spam. No legitimate provider uses this list.