Have you ever wondered if your emails are actually getting to the inbox? Or worse—are they going straight to spam… or being blocked completely? It’s like tossing messages into a black hole. But don’t worry. You’re not alone, and there are tools to help.
Welcome to the quirky, crucial world of email deliverability monitoring and blacklist checking. If you rely on email for marketing, sales, or just reaching your community, this stuff matters. And yes, it can even be fun. Let’s break it down together!
Why You Need To Monitor Email Deliverability
Email deliverability is about more than just hitting “send.” It’s about making sure your email lands safely in your recipient’s inbox, not their spam folder. Or worse, getting rejected altogether.
Here’s why monitoring it matters:
- Protect your reputation – Poor deliverability ruins your credibility.
- Boost open rates – Emails that land in the inbox get read.
- Avoid blacklists – Too many spammy flags? You could be blacklisted.
Think of it like digital hygiene. You brush your teeth to stay clean—this is brushing your domain’s teeth.
Top Tools to Monitor Email Deliverability
Let’s look at the best tools out there that keep an eye on your emails and help you stay in good standing.
1. Mailtrap
Mailtrap is a sandbox for email testing. It lets you send emails in a safe environment without hitting real inboxes.
- See how your emails look
- Check headers and technical content
- No risk of spamming real customers
Perfect for developers and QA teams who want to test email deliverability before going live.
2. GlockApps
GlockApps sends test emails to mailboxes across major providers like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and more. Then it tells you what happened.
- Did it land in inbox, spam, or promotions?
- Was it blocked?
- Which parts triggered spam filters?
It even gives tips to improve. Super helpful!
3. Mail-Tester
This one couldn’t be easier. Just send an email to the address they give you, and they’ll rate it on a scale of 1 to 10.
You’ll get a breakdown like:
- SPF and DKIM checks
- Spam score
- Blacklist status
It’s simple, it’s free, and frankly—it’s kind of fun.
4. Postmark’s Spam Check
This tool analyzes your message using SpamAssassin rules (a widely used spam filter system).
You’ll find out:
- What spam filters see
- What phrases or formatting could trigger spam traps
- How to lower your spam score
It works great in combination with other tools on this list!
5. SendForensics
Now here’s a fancy one. SendForensics delivers a more holistic “email health analysis.”
It checks:
- Your deliverability score
- Readability of email content
- Spam filter analysis
- Engagement metrics
If you’re looking for insights you can act on, this might be your jam.
Top Tools to Check Blacklists
Alright, time to get real. If you’ve been blacklisted, you’ll have a hard time getting through to anyone. It’s like being banned from the email party.
Luckily, there are awesome tools to help you check your status.
6. MXToolbox
This tool is legendary in the email game. Just plug in your IP or domain and it checks dozens of global blacklists in seconds.
- Shows you WHO listed you
- Tells you WHY (sometimes)
- Links directly to delisting info
A must-have tool for any sender.
7. DNSBL.info
Similar to MXToolbox, this site checks DNS-based blacklists. It’s super quick and easy.
- Covers a wide range of blacklists
- Fast search
- No frills, just results
Use it if you want to double-check with more sources.
8. Talos Intelligence by Cisco
Want to see how the pros view you? Cisco gives you full intel on your domain or IP reputation.
- Shows email reputation (good, neutral, or poor)
- IP and domain lookup
- Insight into global email traffic
It’s like your background check for sending emails.
Bonus Tips to Stay Off Blacklists
Monitoring is great, but how do you avoid problems in the first place?
- Authenticate your emails – Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC (your email passport!)
- Clean your email list – Remove bounces and inactive users
- Avoid spammy language – Think twice before using “FREE! WIN BIG!”
- Don’t buy email lists – Seriously, never do this
- Monitor engagement – Emails people don’t open can flag filters
Think of yourself as a respectful guest in someone’s inbox. Don’t be the guy yelling “Buy now!” at a dinner party.
Which Tools Should You Use?
You don’t have to use them all. Start with one deliverability checker and one blacklist checker. Here’s a simple combo:
- GlockApps + MXToolbox
That gives you visibility into both where your emails are landing and whether you’ve got any black marks against you.
If you want even more insight, Add SendForensics or Talos Intelligence to your toolkit.
The Bottom Line
Email is still one of the most powerful tools for communication and marketing. But only if your messages actually arrive where they’re supposed to go.
With the right tools, keeping your email deliverability and blacklist status in check is pretty painless—and sometimes even fun. So go ahead and tinker, test, and tweak. Your inbox future depends on it.
And hey, may your emails be ever-in-your-favor.