LeadConnector

What Are ESP Blocks?

ESP blocks occur when major email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.) reject your emails due to:

• Authentication failures (DMARC, SPF, DKIM issues)
• Poor sender reputation
• Content that appears spam-like
• Policy violations
• Technical configuration problems

Unlike regular bounces, ESP blocks are calculated separately and trigger immediate restrictions to protect your long-term email deliverability.

ESP Block Strike System (Effective [DATE])

If your email service is permanently blocked due to ESP Block Detected, you will see the following error message displayed as a top banner inside the affected subaccount:

Email sending is blocked due to a high number of spam blocks from email providers.
Learn more

This block is enforced to protect email deliverability and prevent further reputation damage with Email Service Providers (ESPs).

How to Request Permanent Unblock

Permanent unblocking cannot be done automatically. A manual review by the GHL Support team is required.

Steps to Raise a Support Request

1. Contact GHL Support

2. Share the following details clearly in your request:

   • Subaccount ID

   • Screenshot or confirmation of the error message:

     Email sending is blocked due to a high number of spam blocks from email providers

3. Submit the ticket for review

What Happens Next

• Our team will review your subaccount, including:

  • Email sending history

  • Bounce and spam complaint rates

  • List acquisition and sending practices

• Based on the review:

  • ✅ Your email service may be unblocked, or

  • ❌ Additional remediation steps may be required before reinstatement

Please note that approval is not guaranteed and depends on compliance with email best practices.

Why This Matters

Protecting Your Business

• ESP blocks damage your sender reputation permanently
• Poor reputation leads to emails landing in spam folders
• Reduced deliverability impacts your business revenue
• Recovery can take weeks or months without proper action

Industry Standards

• Major ESPs are increasingly strict about email quality
• Authentication requirements are now mandatory
• Content filtering has become more sophisticated
• Sender reputation affects all future campaigns

Next Steps

1. Analyze: Use the Bounce Classification to understand your specific ESP blocks
2. Fix: Address the identified issues using our detailed support guides
3. Monitor: Track your improvements through the analytics dashboard
4. Verify: Ensure fixes are working before resuming normal sending

Support Resources

Bounce Classification

• Access detailed ESP block analysis
• View error categories and volumes
• Get specific recommendations for your account
• Monitor improvement progress

Category-Specific Support Guides

Each ESP block category in your analytics dashboard links to detailed fix guides:

• DMARC Authentication Failures
• Domain/IP Reputation Issues
• Content and Spam Filtering
• Technical Configuration Problems
• And more...

Time-Sensitive Actions

Before Policy Implementation ([DATE])

• Complete email authentication setup
• Clean all email lists thoroughly
• Optimize email content and templates
• Test email delivery across major providers
• Monitor analytics dashboard daily

When Policy is Active - Within 24 Hours of Warning

• Review analytics data immediately
• Identify top 3 ESP block categories
• Begin implementing critical fixes (authentication, major content issues)

When Policy is Active - Within 48 Hours of Strike

• Complete all technical fixes
• Clean email lists and remove problematic content
• Test email delivery to major providers

Ongoing (When Policy is Active)

• Monitor analytics dashboard daily
• Maintain email best practices
• Regular list hygiene and engagement monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

When does this new policy take effect?

The ESP Block Strike System will be implemented on [DATE], giving all users 30 days to prepare and optimize their email practices.

What happens to my current ESP blocks?

Your ESP block history will reset on the implementation date. However, we strongly recommend addressing any current issues before the policy goes live to ensure smooth operations.

How do strikes reset?

Strikes reset after 7 consecutive days of maintaining ESP block rates below 1%. However, if you receive 3 strikes within any 7-day period, permanent suspension will occur.

Can permanent suspensions be reversed?

No, permanent email suspensions cannot be reversed. This is why we provide multiple warnings and temporary suspensions before taking final action.

Will I receive notifications before each strike?

Yes, you will receive warning emails when your ESP block rate reaches 3%, giving you time to take corrective action before the 5% threshold triggers a strike.

What if I'm currently above 3% ESP block rate?

Use the preparation period before [DATE] to address these issues. The strike system will not be enforced until the implementation date, giving you time to fix problems.

How is this different from regular bounce management?

ESP blocks are calculated separately from regular bounces and have their own strike system. Regular bounces (invalid addresses, full mailboxes) are handled differently than ESP blocks (reputation, authentication, policy issues).

Important Reminders

• ESP blocks are separate from regular bounces - they require immediate attention
• Each provider has different requirements - use analytics to see provider-specific issues
• Prevention is better than cure - implement proper email practices from the start
• Time is critical - delays in fixing issues can lead to permanent restrictions
• You have 30 days to prepare - use this time wisely to optimize your email practices

This policy is designed to protect your sender reputation and ensure long-term email deliverability success. We're here to help you prepare and succeed with these new requirements.