If a contact marks a RealScout email as spam, their email address is automatically blocked from receiving future RealScout emails. This article explains what spam complaints are, how they affect your account, and what’s required to remove a spam block.
Quick Overview
What a spam complaint means and how it’s triggered
How spam complaints affect email delivery in RealScout
What’s required to remove a spam block
How to prevent future spam complaints
Important: Spam complaints cannot be removed by deleting and re-adding a contact or by agent request alone. Written opt-in from the contact is required.
What Is a Spam Complaint?
A spam complaint occurs when a contact clicks “Report Spam” in their email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.), or even a company/school/managed email provider.
When this happens:
The contact is added to RealScout’s global suppression list
All automated emails stop sending to that address
This applies across all RealScout agents, not just your account
Spam complaints are shared with us by email providers. Not all providers report individual complaints, and your spam rate may include repeat reports from one user.
How Spam Complaints Appear in RealScout
When a spam complaint is reported:
A Spam Complaint banner and "spam/rejection" message will be next to that exact sent alert, next to the timestamps, in their Email Activity.
The contact may also appear with a Spam notification on your dashboard
Existing alerts remain visible but no emails are delivered
This prevents repeated rejected emails and protects overall deliverability for all users.
How to Remove a Spam Block (Required Steps)
Spam complaints cannot be removed automatically or by agent confirmation.
To restore delivery:
The contact must email RealScout Support directly or you may CC them in your message.
The email must clearly state they want to receive RealScout emails again
The message must be sent to support@realscout.com
The contact should include (or CC) you on the email
Once received, our team will:
After confirmation, review and remove the email from the global suppression list
Restore delivery eligibility
Confirm when the block has been lifted
Screenshots, forwarded text messages, or off-RealScout communications & verbal confirmation are not sufficient. Written consent is required.
What Will Not Remove a Spam Block
Deleting and re-adding the contact
Editing the email address (unless it’s changed to a new address)
Archiving or disabling alerts
Resending alerts - This is NOT recommended for spam reporters
Only direct, written contact consent can lift a spam block.
If the Contact Doesn’t Want Emails Anymore
If a client no longer wants RealScout emails:
Leave the spam block in place and
Archive/Delete the contact to remove them from your Nurtured contacts
Encourage contacts to use unsubscribe links or alert settings instead of marking emails as spam whenever possible.
How to Reduce Future Spam Complaints
Confirm email accuracy before enabling alerts
Avoid sending buyer alerts to seller leads
Use Awaiting Nurture to review contacts before activating alerts
Check Email Activity to confirm delivery before resending
Encourage clients to whitelist RealScout emails or mark them as “Not Spam”
FAQs
Q: Can I request spam removal on my client’s behalf?
A: No. The request must come directly from the contact via email.
Q: How long does spam removal take after the contact emails support?
A: Typically within 1–2 business days after written consent is received.
Q: Why do I see spam complaints for contacts I never emailed?
A: Spam blocks are global. If a contact reported spam from another agent on RealScout, all agents are blocked from emailing that address.
Q: Is a spam complaint the same as a bounce?
A: No. Bounces are delivery failures. Spam complaints are user-initiated and require opt-in to reverse.
Need Help?
If you have questions about spam complaints or want help reviewing a contact’s status, reach out via in-app chat or email support@realscout.com.