So @crypt0cranium is asking how spam email reputation works for self-hosting email.

First off, it's NOT true that self-hosting doesn’t work, or that there’s no way to avoid spam block lists.  And for the email setups we do, we guarantee you're off spam or your money back.

There's 2 main aspects to avoiding spam lists,

1. Having the correct domain name (DNS) entries, and using a program that gives you those entries.

Mail-in-a-box is good for beginners, it’s a script that does the setup and then spits out the DNS information.  But the downside is that uses the whole VPS for just email.  Luke Smith has scripts as well.  For the setups we do, we put Mailu in a docker container, so it can be moved from VPS to VPS easily, and other services can be using the same VPS.

2. Having a provider that isn't on the block lists.

This is a tough game because the KYC providers are more likely to be off the list than the anon crypto ones, but it does exist.  Also with most providers, even if you're on the spam list, you can request to get off it.  Spamhaus will demand you fill out a form on their site, and you have to use a residential proxy, and not a datacenter VPN.  Further, not only does the VPS provider matter, but also the domain name registrar, and their nameservers.  Make sure to ask them before you buy it, and then check in the Spamhaus database as soon as you get the IP to complain/dispute.

Important point: ALL domains will be on the spam list for 1 month when they are first registered.  This is NOT a permanent ban, it’s an unavoidable 1-month thing.  So if you’re doing it on your own, first buy the domain, and then the VPS a month later.

And if you don’t feel like reading the docs, consider our program, you get email, XMPP, Cryptpad docs, and whatever else you want (Nostr relays, SimpleX relays) on there, and then we hand the whole thing over to you, https://simplifiedprivacy.com/email-cloud-combo/index.html

nostr:nevent1qqsr53q5qwhwt5p3k6eql2nqvz8adgl78udz4nm6l57a2p3kxwj7uxqpzpmhxue69uhkztnwdaejumr0dshsz9mhwden5te0vf5hgcm0d9hx2u3wwdhkx6tpdshszyrhwden5te0v5hxummn9ekx7mp0ujaf7s 

 What’s your opinion on https://github.com/mail-in-a-box/mailinabox ? 

 Mail-in-a-box is good for beginners, it’s a script that does the setup and then spits out the DNS information.  But the downside is that uses the whole VPS for just email. 

 There's also many email solutions in-between complete self-sovereignty and utter dependence on Big Tech.

Exanples include PurelyMail, Namecheap PrivateEmail, Zoho Business, all around $1/month.  

 This is true, but many of these services use Big Tech in their stack.  So it’s a philosophical, security, and personal choice. 

 Yes agreed it's not ideal just a temporary learning stage before going full sovereign, sort of like transitioning to FOSS while on Windows or Mac before switching to Linux a year later. I guess the trick is not to become complacent in the transitionary stage. 
 

 that's a great guarantee!

my experience self hosting email is not spamhaus lists but poor deliver- ability to big tech hosted receivers. I have to KYC with gmail, MS, Yahoo/AOL to get good landings in inbox not junk folders 

 I understand where you are coming from, i get it.  I'm just saying, you don't have to give up your freedom like that just to be heard