Website Blocked? How to Check and Fix Blocklist Issues

TL;DR

A blocklist entry blocks your website from visitors and harms your Google rankings. Check this for free via Google Safe Browsing, VirusTotal, and MXToolbox. False positives often arise from hacked content, suspicious links, or server issues. Removal takes 1-14 days through official request processes. Prevention through strong security, regular updates, and monitoring prevents future problems.

What are Blocklists and Why Would My Website Be Listed?

Blocklists are databases of websites flagged by security companies, internet service providers, or browsers as potentially dangerous. As a developer at LUNIDEV, I regularly see SME websites unfairly landing on these lists.

There are different types of blocklists:

• Malware blocklists: Websites with malicious software
• Phishing blocklists: Sites trying to steal login credentials
• Spam blocklists: Domains sending spam
• Reputation lists: General security assessments

A listing means browsers, antivirus software, or email providers will block your website or show warnings. This can drastically reduce your online visibility.

Free Tools to Check Your Website Status

For checking blocklist status, use these reliable, free tools:

Google Safe Browsing Check

• Visit transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search
• Enter your domain and view the status
• Shows malware, phishing, and unwanted software warnings

VirusTotal

• Upload your URL at virustotal.com
• Get a report from 90+ security engines
• Shows which services mark your site as suspicious

MXToolbox Blacklist Check

• Use their free blacklist checker
• Checks 100+ email and web blocklists simultaneously
• Useful for email deliverability issues

Norton Safe Web and McAfee SiteAdvisor

• Check reputation with major antivirus providers
• Important for corporate networks using this software

At LUNIDEV, we check these tools monthly for our own website and LUNIKIDS project to detect problems early.

Most Common Reasons for False Positives

Unfair blocklist entries on SME websites often occur due to:

Hacked Content

• Injected malware in outdated WordPress plugins
• Hidden spam links in footer or sidebar
• Redirects to malicious websites without your knowledge

Server and Hosting Problems

• Shared IP addresses with problematic websites
• Hosting provider with poor reputation
• Insecure server configurations

Email-Related Issues

• High spam score from poorly configured mail servers
• Phishing attempts via hacked email accounts
• Sending bulk email without proper SPF/DKIM records

Contact Form Abuse

• Spam bots using your contact forms
• Insufficient protection against automated attacks

In our experience as developers, we see that 70% of blocklist problems for SMEs arise from outdated software or insufficient security.

Step-by-Step Removal Process

Step 1: Identify the Problem

• Scan your website completely with security tools
• Check all pages for suspicious content
• Review server logs for unusual activity

Step 2: Fix the Root Cause

• Remove malware or spam content
• Update all software and plugins
• Strengthen security settings
• Change all passwords

Step 3: Submit Removal Requests

• Google Safe Browsing: Via Google Search Console
• Microsoft Defender: Through Security Intelligence portal
• Norton: Via their Submit False Positive form
• McAfee: Through their Site Review request

Step 4: Document Your Actions

• Save screenshots of the cleanup
• Note all security improvements
• Make a backup of your clean website

The removal process usually takes 1-3 days for major providers, but can take up to 14 days for smaller blocklists.

Impact on Google Rankings and Email Deliverability

A blocklist entry has direct consequences for your online visibility:

Google Rankings Impact

• Websites with malware warnings disappear from search results
• Google shows warnings to visitors
• Organic traffic can drop by 95%
• Recovery takes 2-8 weeks after removal

Email Deliverability Problems

• Emails automatically land in spam folders
• Major email providers block your messages completely
• Newsletters no longer reach customers
• Business communication gets interrupted

Browser Warnings

• Chrome, Firefox, and Safari show security warnings
• Visitors leave your site before it loads
• Conversions drop drastically
• Trust in your brand gets damaged

For the LUNIKIDS project, we monitor these aspects extra carefully because parents are very sensitive to security warnings.

Preventive Measures Against Blocklist Problems

Technical Security

• Install a web application firewall (WAF)
• Use strong SSL certificates
• Keep all software and plugins current
• Implement two-factor authentication

Content Management

• Regularly check for unauthorized changes
• Monitor outgoing links to external websites
• Secure contact forms against spam
• Use CAPTCHA for user-generated content

Email Security

• Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records correctly
• Monitor email reputation scores
• Use professional email hosting
• Avoid bulk email from your main domain

Monitoring and Maintenance

• Set up Google Search Console alerts
• Use security scanning tools
• Make regular backups
• Plan monthly security audits

At LUNIDEV, we implement these measures as standard for all websites we build with our React and Next.js tech stack.

European Legal Aspects of Unfair Blocking

In Europe, you have rights regarding unfair blocklist entries:

GDPR Implications

• Right to rectification of incorrect data
• Right to deletion for unfair processing
• File complaints with Data Protection Authorities

Commercial Damage

• Document financial losses from blocking
• Keep evidence of reputation damage
• Consider legal action for gross negligence

Communication with Providers

• European businesses can contact international support
• Reference GDPR rights in correspondence
• Escalate through EU supervisory authorities if needed

Keep all communication and evidence for potential legal procedures.

Continuous Monitoring After Removal

After successful removal, monitoring remains essential:

Automated Checks

• Set up Google Search Console alerts for security issues
• Use monitoring tools that check daily
• Configure email alerts for status changes

Monthly Checks

• Test your website via all major blocklist checkers
• Monitor email deliverability statistics
• Check Google Analytics for unusual traffic patterns

Quarterly Security Reviews

• Complete website security scan
• Update all software and plugins
• Review access logs and user permissions
• Test backup and recovery procedures

For our own website and the LUNIKIDS project, we use automated monitoring that alerts us within an hour of problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to be removed from a blocklist?

Removal usually takes 1-3 days for major providers like Google and Microsoft, but can take up to 14 days for smaller blocklist providers. The speed depends on how quickly you fix the underlying problem and each provider's review procedure.

Can a shared hosting plan put my website on a blocklist?

Yes, if other websites on the same IP address have problems, this can affect your website. That's why we at LUNIDEV often recommend VPS hosting for business-critical websites, which offers more control and isolation.

Do I need to contact all blocklist services separately for removal?

No, many providers synchronize their databases. Start with the major players like Google Safe Browsing and Microsoft Defender. Smaller providers often follow automatically, though this may take a few days longer.

How do I prevent my WordPress website from being hacked?

Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins always updated, use strong passwords, install a security plugin, make regular backups, and limit login attempts. Consider managed WordPress hosting for extra security.

What if my emails still go to spam after blocklist removal?

Check your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, monitor your sender reputation score, avoid spam-like content, and consider a dedicated IP address for email sending. Email reputation recovery can take several weeks.