Definition of Suppression list
A suppression list is your "do not email" database. It's where you store email addresses of people who unsubscribed, bounced repeatedly, or reported you as spam. Think of it as your email restraining order list. These folks said no and your ESP helps you respect that decision so you don't get blacklisted or fined.
Why you should care
Every time you email someone who doesn't want your emails, two bad things happen:
- Your sender reputation takes a hit
- You risk violating laws like CAN-SPAM or GDPR.
Suppression lists keep you clean. Your ESP likely has this functionality built-in, even if they don't call it a "suppression list."
The biggest hurdle? Most creators don't realize suppression lists need active maintenance. Especially when switching ESPs or running campaigns through different systems.
That CSV of unsubscribed emails sitting in your download folder isn't magically protecting you across platforms.
Many deliverability issues trace back to weak suppression practices. When mail servers see you repeatedly email people who've said no, they start treating all your emails like spam.
Tired of managing list-hygiene?
We help ambitious creators keep their lists squeaky clean. Let us manage yours so you can focus on creating.
Some resources we rely on
Ask Claude for help with Suppression list
Copy and paste this prompt into Claude or the AI of your choice. Be sure to tweak the context for your situation.
<goal>
Help me set up and manage a proper suppression list strategy for my newsletter.
</goal>
<context>
* I manage a [FREQUENCY] newsletter with [SUBSCRIBER COUNT] subscribers
* Currently using [ESP PLATFORM] as my email service provider
* Sometimes send from [OTHER PLATFORMS] for specific campaigns
* Not sure if I have a suppression list or how to use it effectively
* Want to maximize deliverability while staying compliant
</context>
<output>
Please provide:
* Step-by-step guide to check if my ESP has a suppression list feature or identifying their way of managing it
* Instructions for properly maintaining this list
* Process for transferring suppression data when changing platforms
</output>
<example>
If your ESP has a suppression list feature:
- [ ] Navigate to [typical location in major ESPs]
- [ ] Verify these categories are included: unsubscribes, bounces, spam complaints
- [ ] Check if manual additions are allowed for compliance
If your ESP lacks this feature:
- [ ] Create a dedicated segment called "NEVER EMAIL"
- [ ] Set up automation to move unsubscribes to this segment
</example>
<guardrails>
* Focus on practical implementation using standard ESP features
* Include both automated and manual management options
* Ensure compliance with major email regulations
* Address both global and segmented suppression approaches
</guardrails>