What the approval step is
MailerLite's Terms of Use describe two steps to validate a new account: complete your profile, then request approval. If the account complies with the rules, MailerLite approves it and emails you. If something looks suspicious, you may receive a disapproval email. The same section reserves the right to review your subscriber list at any time.
The signup help page says the profile asks for basic information about you and how you plan to use MailerLite, and that MailerLite reviews content regularly for compliance. The reason is practical: an email provider sends for many customers, so one sender with a bad list can hurt delivery for others. Treat the review as a check that your list and plans match the rules you are agreeing to.
What the documents say the review checks against
MailerLite does not list rejection reasons in one place. The table pulls the relevant rules from its Terms of Use and Anti-Spam Policy, with the evidence you can prepare for each. If your situation fails one of these, fix the list before applying rather than hoping it passes.
| Area | What MailerLite's documents say | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| List source | Addresses bought, loaned, rented or in any way acquired from a third party are not allowed; you must get permission yourself | A note of each source: form, checkout, event, with dates |
| Consent | Lists must be permission-based; you need explicit, provable permission; pre-ticked boxes do not count | The exact form or checkbox wording people saw |
| Past customers | Allowed if they bought within the last two years | Purchase dates, and a cut-off filter for older buyers |
| Old addresses | Addresses you have not emailed in the last two years are not allowed | Last-sent date per segment; drop anything older |
| Offline signups | Count only if the person was told they would get email and ticked a box | Paper or tablet form showing the opt-in |
| Content | MailerLite says it reviews content regularly, only allows content that complies with its terms, and does not permit illegal, misleading or harmful material; every newsletter needs an unsubscribe link | A short, accurate description of what you will send and a footer with an unsubscribe link |
| Sending domain | Authentication is required when you send from a custom domain | DKIM, SPF and verification records added at your DNS host |
Preparation checklist: domain, website, list
Work through this before you press the approval button. Each item gives the reviewer a consistent picture: a real sender, a real website, and a list that people chose to join.
- Domain: send from an address on a domain you control, and add the DKIM CNAME, SPF TXT and domain verification TXT records MailerLite gives you. Its help page says the values must match exactly and can take up to 24 hours to propagate.
- Website: make sure the site behind that domain loads and shows who you are and the signup form or offer people used to join.
- Profile: describe your organization and the email you will send in plain words that match the website.
- List source: write one line per source with dates, for example website form since March 2025 or checkout opt-in box.
- Consent proof: keep screenshots of each form and checkbox, including that boxes were not pre-ticked.
- Filter: remove buyers older than two years, anyone you have not emailed in two years, and all unsubscribes.
- Content: confirm nothing you plan to send is illegal, misleading or harmful, and that every email carries an unsubscribe link.
Worked example: deciding what to import
Suppose you have 800 addresses in October 2026: 500 from a website signup form since 2024, 200 customers whose last purchase was in 2023, and 100 business cards collected at a trade show where nobody ticked an email box.
Under the anti-spam policy, the 500 form signups qualify. The 200 customers last bought more than two years ago, so they fall outside the past-customer allowance. The anti-spam policy does not mention business cards, but its offline rule requires that people were told they would receive email and ticked a box; these 100 did neither, so leave them out. Your compliant import is 500, not 800. A smaller list that passes review is worth more than a larger one that triggers a disapproval or later suspension.
After approval: the thresholds that trigger review
Approval is not permanent clearance. MailerLite's Anti-Spam Policy names rates that may lead to suspension, and its terms describe what happens during a review. Check these numbers after each of your first few campaigns.
| Signal | MailerLite trigger | Example on a 1,000-email send |
|---|---|---|
| Spam complaints | More than 0.2% | 3 complaints is 0.3%, above the line |
| Bounces | More than 5% | 51 bounces is above the line |
| Unsubscribes | More than 1% | 11 unsubscribes is above the line |
| Opens | Less than 3% | Fewer than 30 opens is below the line |
If you get a disapproval or review email
Reply with facts rather than general assurances: where each segment came from, the form wording, dates, and what you removed. The policy says MailerLite may ask for evidence of consent, so having it ready shortens the exchange.
If the account is under review, the terms say email sending and landing page publishing are paused, and that no response within 30 days of the notification leads to termination. Answer promptly even if you need time to gather screenshots. If the honest answer is that part of the list was bought or scraped, delete that part rather than arguing for it.
Questions before you decide
How long does MailerLite approval take?
The help and legal pages fetched for this guide do not state a review time. Plan for a wait and do not schedule a launch email for the same day you sign up.
Can I send before I authenticate my domain?
MailerLite's domain authentication page says new accounts can send their first campaigns without authenticating a domain, but only during the 14-day trial. Authentication is required when you send from a custom domain.
What happens if my account is placed under review later?
MailerLite's terms say you are notified and may be asked for information, sending can be paused during review, and the account can be terminated if you do not respond within 30 days.
Can I import customers who bought from me years ago?
The anti-spam policy allows past customers who bought within the last two years and does not allow addresses you have not emailed in the last two years.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- MailerLite Terms of Use Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- MailerLite Anti-Spam Policy Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- MailerLite Help: How to create a MailerLite account Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- MailerLite Help: Domain authentication Accessed 29 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.