How accurate is Microsoft SNDS data for deliverability monitoring?

Summary

Experts, marketers, and Microsoft's own documentation suggest that SNDS data provides a directional overview of deliverability, but it's not an absolute measure. SNDS functions independently from Outlook's spam filters and might not capture all spam trap hits. Data is often lagged and may differ from other ISPs' assessments. For small senders SNDS is less statistically relevant. A holistic approach using SNDS alongside other tools (e.g., Google Postmaster Tools, Litmus), focusing on long-term trends, correlating data with bounce rates and engagement, and proactively addressing feedback (e.g., cleaning lists) is recommended.

Key findings

  • Directional Indicator: SNDS provides a directional overview, not absolute truth, for deliverability.
  • System Independence: SNDS operates separately from Outlook's spam filters, creating potential inconsistencies.
  • Data Latency: SNDS data is not real-time and often lagged, affecting immediate responsiveness.
  • Incomplete Data: SNDS may not capture all spam trap hits, especially from private networks.
  • Limited Scope: JMRP data relies on user participation and doesn't represent the entire user base.
  • Sender size matters: For small volume senders, SNDS might lack statistical significance.

Key considerations

  • Holistic Approach: Use SNDS with other deliverability tools for a comprehensive understanding.
  • Trend Analysis: Focus on identifying long-term trends rather than individual data points.
  • Data Correlation: Correlate SNDS data with bounce rates, engagement, and suppression lists.
  • Proactive Action: Act on feedback, cleaning lists, segmenting, and improving content engagement.
  • Understand Limitations: Recognize that SNDS provides one perspective and has limitations; consider external reputation data.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

Experts and marketers generally agree that Microsoft SNDS data should be viewed as a directional indicator rather than an absolute source of truth for deliverability. Discrepancies exist between SNDS data and actual inbox placement, especially for small volume senders. Various factors, including data latency, spam trap variations, and audience engagement, impact SNDS accuracy. Utilizing SNDS in conjunction with other deliverability tools like Google Postmaster Tools and internal metrics is recommended. Acting on feedback from SNDS, such as addressing high complaint rates and cleaning email lists, is crucial.

Key opinions

  • Directional Indicator: SNDS data is more useful as a trend indicator rather than a precise measure of deliverability.
  • Data Discrepancies: SNDS data can be out of sync with actual inbox placement rates.
  • Small Volume Limitations: SNDS data may not be statistically significant for small volume senders.
  • Context Matters: Interpreting SNDS data requires understanding the context of your email program and audience.

Key considerations

  • Use in Conjunction: Use SNDS with other deliverability tools (e.g., Google Postmaster Tools, Litmus) for a comprehensive view.
  • Act on Feedback: Take action based on SNDS feedback, such as cleaning lists and segmenting audiences.
  • Monitor Trends: Focus on analyzing trends over time, rather than individual data points.
  • Correlate with Metrics: Correlate SNDS data with bounce rates, suppression lists, and engagement metrics.
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow answers that interpreting SNDS data requires understanding the context of your email program and audience. Sudden spikes in complaints could be due to a specific campaign or list quality issues.

July 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from NeilPatel.com shares that SNDS data should be viewed as directional indicators rather than absolute truth. High complaint rates warrant investigation, but don't always indicate a severe problem, especially if volume is low.

February 2022 - NeilPatel.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests using Google Postmaster Tools for more reliable and granular data about Gmail deliverability, complementing SNDS for a broader view of Microsoft's ecosystem.

January 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity.com explains that SNDS data can sometimes be out of sync with actual inbox placement rates. A clean SNDS report doesn't guarantee inboxing, and a poor SNDS report doesn't always mean your email is going to spam. Other factors like content and engagement play a crucial role.

February 2022 - Validity.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor mentions that it's important to look at trends in SNDS data over time, rather than focusing on individual data points. A consistent pattern of improvement or decline is more indicative of your overall deliverability health.

January 2025 - Campaign Monitor
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet answers that the most important thing is to act on feedback. Clean your lists, segment your audience, and focus on sending engaging content to improve your reputation.

September 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares that SNDS should be used in conjunction with other deliverability tools and monitoring methods to get a more complete picture of inbox placement.

April 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum mentions that they've observed discrepancies between SNDS data and their actual deliverability metrics, especially in smaller sending volumes. They suggest cross-referencing SNDS with other data sources.

December 2024 - EmailGeeks Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid shares that high complaint rates reported in SNDS should be correlated with your bounce rates and suppression lists to identify and remove problematic addresses.

July 2023 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass answers that for small volume senders, SNDS might not provide statistically significant data. Rely more on direct feedback and engagement metrics from your subscribers.

October 2023 - GMass

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Experts indicate that Microsoft SNDS has limitations as a deliverability monitoring tool. It operates separately from Outlook.com's spam filters, leading to potential discrepancies between SNDS reports and actual inbox placement. SNDS data might not capture all spam trap hits, and the information is often lagged, hindering real-time response to deliverability issues. Differences in complaint calculation between ISPs and ESPs further complicate the accuracy of SNDS for precise monitoring.

Key opinions

  • Separate System: SNDS functions independently from Outlook.com's spam filters, causing potential inconsistencies.
  • Incomplete Spam Trap Data: SNDS might miss spam trap hits from private networks, making a clean report unreliable.
  • Data Lag: SNDS data is often delayed, hindering immediate reaction to deliverability changes.
  • Calculation Differences: ISPs and ESPs calculate complaint rates differently, affecting data interpretation.

Key considerations

  • Broad Strokes Monitoring: Use SNDS for general oversight, but not for precise deliverability assessment.
  • Supplement with Other Tools: Do not rely solely on SNDS; use other monitoring methods to get a comprehensive view.
  • Understand Data Limitations: Recognize the limitations of SNDS data, including data lag and potential inaccuracies.
  • Focus on Trends: Look for overall trends rather than relying on single data points.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise answers that the data in SNDS is known to be lagged (often by a few days), so it doesn't necessarily give you an immediate picture of your current sending reputation or any sudden changes. This can be problematic if you're trying to react quickly to deliverability issues.

March 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that SNDS is a wholly separate system from the actual spam filters inside of Outlook.com. It can be useful for broad strokes monitoring, but it is not uncommon to have a red result in SNDS but mail still delivers to the inbox, or vice versa. Complaint rates can be useful directionally, but sender and receiver calculations often differ, with ISPs counting complaints on the date of the complaint and ESPs rolling it back to the send date.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that SNDS might not capture all spam trap hits, especially those from private or internal spam trap networks used by some mailbox providers. Therefore, a clean SNDS report doesn't guarantee complete absence of spam trap issues.

August 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Microsoft's documentation states that SNDS aims to provide data on sending IP addresses, including complaint rates and spam trap hits, to help address deliverability issues. However, it also acknowledges that SNDS data is not real-time and has latency, impacting its immediacy. Furthermore, the accuracy of JMRP data depends on user participation and may not represent the entire user base. The IP reputation metrics reflect Microsoft's assessment, which might differ from other ISPs.

Key findings

  • Intended Use: SNDS provides data on sending IP addresses, complaint rates, and spam trap hits for identifying deliverability issues.
  • Data Latency: SNDS data is not real-time; there is a delay between events and their reflection in SNDS.
  • JMRP Accuracy: JMRP data accuracy relies on user participation and may not represent the entire user base.
  • Reputation Assessment: IP reputation metrics reflect Microsoft's assessment, which may differ from other ISPs.

Key considerations

  • Understand Limitations: Acknowledge the limitations of SNDS data, including latency and potential inaccuracies.
  • Consider User Participation: Recognize that JMRP data reflects the actions of participating users, not the entire audience.
  • Account for ISP Differences: Be aware that Microsoft's IP reputation assessment may differ from other ISPs.
  • Use for Directional Insight: Use SNDS as one source of data to understand deliverability and look at it directionally.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft clarifies that the IP reputation metrics in SNDS reflect Microsoft's assessment of your sending practices. This assessment might differ from how other ISPs view your reputation.

December 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft notes that SNDS data isn't real-time. There's often a delay between when an event occurs (e.g., a user marks an email as spam) and when it's reflected in SNDS. This latency can affect the immediacy of the data's usefulness.

May 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft acknowledges that the accuracy of the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) data within SNDS depends on the participation of users reporting emails as junk. It may not represent the entire user base.

February 2023 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that the Sender Network Data Services (SNDS) is intended to provide data about your sending IP addresses, including complaint rates and spam trap hits, which can be used to help identify and address deliverability issues.

January 2025 - Microsoft