Can IP reputation recover after a blocklist event?

IP reputation can recover, but the timeline depends on severity, root cause resolution, and consistent remediation efforts.

Minor incidents: A brief blocklist appearance with quick resolution typically recovers within days. If you fix the problem promptly and resume normal sending with good metrics, reputation rebuilds quickly.

Serious incidents: Prolonged blocklist presence, spamtrap hits, or high complaint volumes take longer to recover. Expect weeks to months of careful sending before reputation fully restores. Some mailbox providers maintain long memories.

Recovery steps:

1. Get delisted from blocklists (this removes the immediate block)

2. Reduce volume significantly while rebuilding

3. Send only to your most engaged recipients initially

4. Monitor closely and respond immediately to any new issues

5. Gradually increase volume as metrics stabilize

Think of it as re-warming the IP. You're rebuilding trust from a damaged starting point, which requires even more caution than warming a fresh IP.

When to abandon: If an IP is severely damaged (repeated blocklisting, persistent traps), starting fresh on a new IP may be faster than rehabilitation. But the underlying sending practices must change, or the new IP will suffer the same fate.

Reputation scars fade but don't disappear overnight. Consistent good behavior is the only remedy.