Contents
- 1 What Is a WordPress Blacklist?
- 1.1 How to Check If Your WordPress Site Is Blacklisted
- 1.2 Why Do WordPress Sites Get Blacklisted?
- 1.3 Steps for WordPress Blacklist Removal
- 1.4 1. Identify the Source of Infection
- 1.5 2. Clean the Malware
- 1.6 3. Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins
- 1.7 4. Strengthen Security
- 1.8 5. Submit Your Site for Review
- 1.9 How Long Does It Take to Remove a Blacklist Warning?
- 1.10 Tips to Prevent Future Blacklisting
- 1.11 Why WordPress Blacklist Removal Is Crucial
- 1.12 Need Professional Help?
- 1.13 Conclusion
Has your WordPress website been blacklisted by Google or another security authority? If yes, you’re not alone. Thousands of WordPress websites are blacklisted every week due to malware, phishing attempts, or suspicious code. But don’t panic! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the complete process of WordPress blacklist removal, helping you clean up your website, restore your reputation, and boost your search rankings.
What Is a WordPress Blacklist?
A WordPress blacklist occurs when search engines like Google, Bing, or security tools like McAfee, Norton, or Spamhaus detect that your site contains malicious content or suspicious code. As a result, they block users from accessing your site by showing warnings like “This site may harm your computer.” This leads to loss of traffic, revenue, and credibility.
How to Check If Your WordPress Site Is Blacklisted
You can check your website’s blacklist status using the following tools:
If your site appears on any of these, it means you’re blacklisted and need to take immediate action.
Why Do WordPress Sites Get Blacklisted?
Blacklisting can occur due to several reasons, including:
- Malware infections
- Phishing or spam content
- Injected malicious code via plugins or themes
- Outdated WordPress core or plugins
- Unauthorized admin access
Most blacklists are triggered by malware or suspicious activity detected by crawlers or users.
Steps for WordPress Blacklist Removal
Follow these step-by-step instructions to remove your WordPress website from a blacklist:
1. Identify the Source of Infection
Use tools like Sucuri or Wordfence to scan your site. These tools can help you detect malicious files, unauthorized scripts, and suspicious database entries.
2. Clean the Malware
- Manually remove infected files from wp-content, wp includes, or the database.
- Use malware removal plugins like Wordfence, MalCare, or Sucuri.
- Restore your site from a clean backup, if available.
3. Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins
Always keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date. Remove any unused or nulled plugins as they are often the entry point for hackers.
4. Strengthen Security
- Use a firewall or security plugin (e.g., Wordfence or iThemes Security).
- Change all admin passwords.
- Limit login attempts and use two-factor authentication.
- Set proper file permissions (e.g., 644 for files and 755 for folders).
5. Submit Your Site for Review
Once your site is malware-free and secure, you’ll need to submit it for reconsideration:
- Google: Use the Google Search Console > Security Issues tab.
- Bing: Use Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Other authorities: Follow their specific blacklist removal procedures.
How Long Does It Take to Remove a Blacklist Warning?
Once you’ve submitted a review request, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days for your site to be reviewed. Google usually responds within 24–72 hours if everything is clean.
Tips to Prevent Future Blacklisting
- Install a reliable security plugin and configure it properly.
- Take regular backups using tools like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault.
- Monitor your website for uptime and malware with tools like UptimeRobot or Jetpack.
- Use premium themes and plugins from trusted sources only.
- Enable HTTPS and ensure your SSL certificate is valid.
Why WordPress Blacklist Removal Is Crucial
When your site is blacklisted, you lose traffic, credibility, and potential revenue. Your SEO rankings drop, and customers begin to distrust your brand. A quick and effective WordPress blacklist removal can save your business and protect your online presence.
Need Professional Help?
If you’re unsure about fixing a hacked site or navigating the blacklist removal process, hiring a WordPress security expert is a smart move. Professional cleanup services ensure no malicious traces remain and also help submit your site for reindexing quickly.
Conclusion
Getting blacklisted is stressful, but recovery is possible with the right approach. Follow this guide to clean your site, secure it, and regain your position in search results. Make WordPress blacklist removal your top priority and implement the best practices shared above to avoid future trouble.
Have you recently dealt with a blacklisted WordPress site? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments below.
As a QA expert turned WordPress Developer, I bring 7+ years of experience in software testing and a sharp eye for quality, speed, and user experience.
At Kodgems, I craft responsive, high-performance websites while ensuring every feature works flawlessly. My mission? To build digital solutions that look great and work even better.
I blend testing precision with creative development, delivering bug-free, fast-loading, and user-focused web experiences.
Skills & Tools:
WordPress
HTML5
CSS3
JavaScript
Manual & Automation Testing
Selenium
Website Optimization
Bug Tracking
Test Case Design
Performance Testing

