Is an email whitelist tied to a domain name, or an IP address?

Question

If I move my email server to a different server, and consequently a different IP address, but keep the same domain name, do I lose the work I've done to get whitelisted?

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 15 '11 at 16:14

4

"It depends on how the mail server provider sets up their whitelist."

Generally speaking:

If they have configured their mail server to accept traffic from your IP you need to tell them the IP changed.
If they set up a DNS-based whitelist to pass your domain, you probably don't have to do anything.
If their whitelist is based on your SPF records you may need to update the record (if you use IPs in it instead of hostnames)

answered Jun 15 '11 at 16:14

voretaq7

79,345
17
128
213

1

Just did a huge blitz for our mail servers, and practically everyone asks for IPs. That's why when I applied to all of them, I made sure to note where to apply and/or contact information of anyone there. Would make any changes or additions much easier. – JonLim Jun 16 '11 at 18:15

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 15 '11 at 16:15

In my past workings, its usually the domain name that matters. Thats pretty much why we have DNS servers to take care of resolutions. When I would check against our own domain in the blacklistings, I would see entries like *.junk.ru and billgates.mac.chi. It really depends on the listing service you subsribe to though.

Is an email whitelist tied to a domain name, or an IP address?

2 Answers2