Short answer: A Level 1 listing expires automatically 7 days after the last spam seen from your IP. Levels 2 and 3 list your IP block or your provider's whole network, not your IP specifically; there's little you can do about them yourself, and most major mailbox providers don't use those levels. Paid express delisting is never required.
Level 1, 2 and 3
| Level | What is listed | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | A single IP address that sent mail to spam traps. | Expires automatically after 7 days without new spam. |
| Level 2 | An IP block containing many Level 1 listings. | Stays while the problem in the block continues; you can be affected even if your IP is clean. |
| Level 3 | A provider's entire network (ASN). | Expires when the problem across the provider decreases. |
Most mail servers that use UCEPROTECT only use Level 1; Levels 2 and 3 are so broad that they're rarely used. Our blacklist check queries Level 1.
What to do about a Level 1 listing
- Look up the listing at uceprotect.net to see when and why it was created.
- Find and stop the spam source: compromised accounts, infected devices, an open relay.
- Once the source is stopped, wait 7 days; the listing expires by itself.
- If important mail must go out in the meantime, consider relaying it through your host's or mail provider's SMTP server on a different IP.
Do you need paid express delisting?
UCEPROTECT offers a paid option to remove a listing without waiting. It is not required: if the source has stopped, a Level 1 listing expires free of charge within 7 days. If the source hasn't stopped, paying doesn't solve anything; the IP is relisted quickly.
If Level 2 or 3 is causing you problems, it's usually more effective to show the receiving side that your own IP is clean, or ask your provider for an IP from a different block.
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Frequently asked questions
When will I come off UCEPROTECT Level 1?
Automatically, 7 days after the last spam trap hit, as long as no new spam comes from your IP.
My IP is clean but I show up on Level 2. Why?
Other IPs in the same block are sending spam. It's outside your control; contact your provider.