Does x-originating-ip impact email deliverability?

Summary

The impact of the `x-originating-ip` header on email deliverability is complex and indirect. While some systems analyze the originating IP for spam detection, the `x-originating-ip` header itself might not always be explicitly used or trusted due to the possibility of spoofing. Its presence and weight in spam filtering varies, particularly impacting residential or blacklisted IPs. Key to maintaining deliverability are a clean IP reputation, proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), careful management of IP reputation, and adherence to email sending best practices. Microsoft 365 includes the `x-originating-ip` by default but allows paid subscribers to disable it.

Key findings

  • Variable Importance: The direct importance of the `x-originating-ip` header is variable, though the underlying originating IP is often used in filtering.
  • Reputation Influence: The reputation of the originating IP has a significant indirect impact on deliverability, whether via `x-originating-ip` or other mechanisms.
  • Authentication Crucial: Proper email authentication methods such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC can improve sender reputation and lessen negative impacts.
  • Potential Redundancy: Email systems have other methods to identify sending sources, making the `x-originating-ip` header potentially redundant.
  • Configurable on M365: Microsoft 365 enables paid subscribers to remove the `x-originating-ip` header.

Key considerations

  • IP Reputation Monitoring: Regularly monitor the IP's reputation and ensure it isn't listed on any blocklists.
  • Implement Authentication: Set up robust email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to verify sending identity and improve deliverability.
  • Careful Sending Practices: Adhere to email sending best practices to maintain a positive sender reputation and avoid triggering spam filters.
  • M365 Configuration: If using Microsoft 365, evaluate whether removing the `x-originating-ip` header aligns with your sending strategy and security needs.
  • Header Analysis: Analyze email headers to diagnose deliverability issues and adjust sending strategies as needed.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

The `x-originating-ip` header's impact on email deliverability is multifaceted. While not always a direct factor, it can influence deliverability through its contribution to sender and IP reputation. Freemail providers often include it, and it can be removed by Microsoft paying customers. Its significance varies, but it is more pronounced when the IP is associated with residential ranges, known spam sources, or blocklists. Proper email authentication and maintaining a clean IP reputation are crucial for mitigating potential negative impacts.

Key opinions

  • `x-originating-ip` Presence: `x-originating-ip` is often included by default, especially with freemail providers like M365, but can be disabled.
  • Reputation Impact: A poor IP reputation associated with the `x-originating-ip` can lead to deliverability issues, with some spam filters actively checking it, particularly for residential IPs.
  • Indirect Influence: Even if not a direct factor, the `x-originating-ip` contributes to the overall sender reputation, affecting deliverability.
  • Authentication: Proper authentication methods (SPF, DKIM) and a positive sender reputation are essential to counteract potential negative impacts.
  • Varying Significance: The weight of the `x-originating-ip` header in spam filtering varies depending on the specific filters and the IP's history.

Key considerations

  • Monitor IP Reputation: Regularly check the IP associated with your `x-originating-ip` against blocklists and reputation services.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are correctly configured.
  • Maintain Sending Practices: Adhere to best practices for email sending to maintain a positive sender reputation. Avoid sending unsolicited emails to minimize risks.
  • Consider Disabling: If using M365, evaluate whether disabling the `x-originating-ip` header is appropriate for your sending practices.
  • Review and Adjust: Continuously monitor deliverability rates and adjust sending practices or configurations as needed based on performance.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares a blog post about factors influencing email deliverability. While it doesn't directly mention `x-originating-ip`, it discusses how sender reputation, which is partly tied to IP address, significantly affects whether emails reach the inbox or spam folder.

October 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailMarketingForum shares that while not always a direct factor, `x-originating-ip` can indirectly impact deliverability through its contribution to overall sending reputation. If the IP is associated with spam or abuse, it can negatively affect deliverability.

September 2022 - EmailMarketingForum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailchimp details the importance of sender reputation and how factors like the IP address of the sending server influence whether emails reach the inbox. Although the `x-originating-ip` header is not specifically named, the source IP (which it represents) will influence sender reputation.

September 2021 - Mailchimp
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks believes that `x-originating-ip` is more about anti-abuse these days, included by most freemail providers (except Gmail), and removable by Microsoft paying customers.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks notes that `x-originating-ip` is default with M365 but can be disabled with an outbound filter.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit mentions that a poor IP reputation associated with the `x-originating-ip` can lead to deliverability issues. They advise checking the IP against various blocklists and ensuring proper authentication is set up.

February 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that IP reputation significantly impacts deliverability. While they don't specifically mention `x-originating-ip`, they emphasize that a poor IP reputation can lead to emails being marked as spam, highlighting the importance of IP address management for sending.

October 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora suggests the `X-Originating-IP` header can influence spam filtering decisions. They note that if the IP is associated with known spam sources, it can negatively impact deliverability.

September 2023 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeksForum shares that `X-Originating-IP`'s weight in spam filtering varies, but is more significant for residential or blacklisted IPs. Its presence can negatively impact deliverability in these cases.

June 2024 - EmailGeeksForum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stackoverflow shares that `X-Originating-IP` is indeed checked by some spam filters, especially for residential IPs or ranges known for spam activity. The summary suggests that having such an IP in the header might negatively impact deliverability.

September 2023 - Stackoverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains how authentication methods like SPF and DKIM can improve deliverability. While it does not explicitly mention `x-originating-ip`, it points out that authenticating your emails helps establish a good sending reputation and prevent your emails from being flagged as spam. Thus implies the IP is part of the overall authentication 'package'.

February 2024 - Email on Acid

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts suggest that while `x-originating-ip` might be used in 2nd-received-line filtering, its direct necessity is questionable since filters can analyze headers anyway. Concerns exist regarding trust due to potential spammer manipulation. Crucially, the originating IP's reputation significantly impacts deliverability, making a clean IP reputation vital. Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is also essential for building a positive sender reputation and reducing spam flags, underlining the relevance of IP information in deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Redundancy in Filtering: Filters can analyze headers without relying on the `x-originating-ip`, questioning its necessity for 2nd-received-line filtering.
  • Trust Concerns: The `x-originating-ip` header can be faked by spammers, raising doubts about its reliability.
  • IP Reputation Importance: Maintaining a clean IP reputation is critical as it directly influences whether emails reach the inbox.
  • Authentication's Role: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) builds a positive sender reputation, mitigating spam flags and highlighting relevance of IP info

Key considerations

  • Evaluate Necessity: Assess whether including `x-originating-ip` serves a genuine purpose given potential redundancy.
  • Prioritize IP Reputation: Implement practices to maintain and monitor the originating IP's reputation diligently.
  • Strengthen Authentication: Ensure robust implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for better sender authentication.
  • Monitor Headers: Continuously analyze email headers to identify and address any deliverability issues.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise discusses the importance of proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for improving email deliverability. Though not explicitly mentioning `x-originating-ip`, it states that authentication helps build a positive sender reputation and reduces the chances of emails being flagged as spam, meaning all information relating to the IP is relevant.

June 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from SpamResource explains that maintaining a clean IP reputation is crucial for email deliverability. While they do not directly mention `x-originating-ip`, they emphasize that the originating IP's reputation significantly influences whether emails reach the inbox or are filtered as spam.

May 2021 - SpamResource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that filters don't need the `x-originating-ip` value to do 2nd received line filtering, they can just walk headers, and highlights trust issues with the header due to spammers potentially faking it.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that `x-originating-ip` may be used for 2nd-received-line filtering and questions the reason for including it in outbound mail if not intending such filtering.

March 2023 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Documentation from various sources highlights the importance of the originating IP address in email deliverability. While not always explicitly mentioning `x-originating-ip`, these resources indicate that the originating IP is analyzed for spam detection, tracked for reputation, and is a key factor for ISPs identifying legitimate senders. Maintaining a good IP reputation, using properly configured headers, and employing IP warming strategies are critical for ensuring deliverability.

Key findings

  • Originating IP Analysis: Email systems analyze the originating IP address as part of their spam detection and filtering mechanisms.
  • Reputation Tracking: The originating IP is tracked for its sending behavior and reputation, influencing deliverability decisions.
  • Header Importance: Properly configured email headers are essential for helping ISPs identify legitimate senders.
  • Deliverability Tie: Deliverability is closely tied to the originating IP address, including its history and reputation.

Key considerations

  • Monitor IP Reputation: Continuously monitor and manage your IP reputation to avoid being blacklisted.
  • Proper Header Configuration: Ensure all email headers are properly configured according to industry standards.
  • IP Warming: Implement a gradual IP warming strategy when introducing new IP addresses for sending emails.
  • Authentication Protocols: Utilize authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify your sending identity.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost covers common email deliverability issues. They discuss IP warming and maintaining a good IP reputation. Although not explicitly mentioning `x-originating-ip`, it highlights how closely deliverability is tied to the originating IP address and its history.

July 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that Exchange Online Protection (EOP) and Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) use various methods to identify and block spam, including analyzing the originating IP address of the sending server. While not explicitly mentioning `x-originating-ip`, it implies that the originating IP is a factor in deliverability.

November 2023 - Microsoft Learn
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor details how email headers, including `Received` headers, are used to trace the path of an email. Although it doesn't specifically address `x-originating-ip`, the document provides context on how email systems track the origin of messages, which can be used for filtering and deliverability decisions.

February 2023 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from Cisco discusses the SenderBase reputation system, which tracks IP addresses and their sending behavior. While not directly mentioning `x-originating-ip`, it indicates that the reputation of the originating IP address is a crucial factor in determining whether an email is considered spam, which suggests it will impact deliverability.

March 2023 - Cisco
Technical article

Documentation from Postmark highlights the importance of proper email headers for deliverability. It implicitly touches upon the relevance of the originating IP by mentioning that properly configured headers help ISPs identify legitimate senders and prevent spam, which implies that all IP info is considered.

August 2024 - Postmark