How can I resolve email deliverability issues with Proofpoint when emails are not bouncing or going to spam?

Summary

When emails don't bounce or go to spam but aren't delivered, Proofpoint is likely quarantining them. The problem might stem from bad content, unengaged recipients, or IP reputation. Resolutions involve contacting Proofpoint support, checking Cloudmark and SORBS, utilizing Proofpoint's false positive/negative reporting system, and allowing users to manage their quarantine. Email list maintenance, proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), dedicated IPs and warming them up, and proactive sender reputation monitoring (Google Postmaster Tools, Microsoft SNDS), alongside email testing, also improve deliverability. Subscriber advocacy, involving email admins for whitelisting, is key.

Key findings

  • Proofpoint Quarantine: Proofpoint often quarantines emails silently.
  • Content & Engagement: Email content and recipient engagement influence filtering.
  • IP Reputation: Proofpoint uses IP reputation for filtering.
  • Admin Involvement: Subscribers and senders should involve email admins.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Monitoring deliverability and reputation is essential.
  • Authentication & Infrastructure: Proper authentication and IP management are key.

Key considerations

  • Content Review: Check email content for problematic elements.
  • List Hygiene: Maintain a clean, engaged email list.
  • Subscriber Action: Encourage subscribers to report issues to their admins.
  • Proofpoint Tools: Utilize Proofpoint's reporting and quarantine management tools.
  • Authentication Setup: Implement and verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings.
  • Dedicated IP & Warming: Consider a dedicated IP and warm it up properly.
  • Regular Monitoring: Regularly monitor IP reputation and feedback loops.
  • Testing: Test emails across different ISPs and filters.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

When emails are not bouncing or going to spam but are still not delivered, Proofpoint may be quarantining them. Solutions include contacting Proofpoint support for specific blocking reasons and remediation steps, checking Cloudmark and SORBS, and allowing users to check their quarantine. Email list maintenance (cleaning, engagement-based segmentation, double opt-in), proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), dedicated IP addresses, warming up new IPs, monitoring sender reputation (Google Postmaster Tools, Microsoft SNDS), and email testing tools can all improve deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Proofpoint Quarantine: Proofpoint may quarantine emails without notification.
  • Contact Support: Direct contact with Proofpoint support can provide insights and remediation steps.
  • List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list improves deliverability.
  • Authentication: Properly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for authentication.
  • IP Reputation: Dedicated IPs and IP warming can improve sender reputation.
  • Monitoring: Monitoring sender reputation provides insight into deliverability issues.
  • Testing: Email testing tools can identify problems before sending to a live audience.

Key considerations

  • User Quarantine Access: Ensure users can access and manage their Proofpoint quarantine.
  • Cloudmark and SORBS: Check sending IPs against Cloudmark and SORBS blacklists.
  • Segmentation: Segment email lists based on engagement to improve targeting.
  • Double Opt-In: Implement double opt-in to ensure explicit consent and reduce spam complaints.
  • Validation: Regularly validate email addresses to remove invalid or inactive addresses.
  • Feedback Loops: Set up feedback loops with major ISPs to monitor complaint rates.
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendPulse explains that using a dedicated IP address can improve sender reputation and deliverability, particularly when sending large volumes of email. A dedicated IP can isolate your sending reputation from others.

April 2021 - SendPulse
Marketer view

Email marketer from Iterable suggests implementing a double opt-in process to ensure subscribers have explicitly consented to receive emails. This helps reduce spam complaints and improves email deliverability.

February 2022 - Iterable
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity recommends regularly monitoring sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS. This helps identify potential deliverability problems and allows senders to proactively address them.

July 2023 - Validity
Marketer view

Email marketer from Spiceworks said they've had luck contacting Proofpoint's support team directly. They mention that Proofpoint support can provide specific information about why emails are being blocked and suggest remediation steps.

July 2023 - Spiceworks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests identifying subscribers using Proofpoint and suppressing them from mailings until the issue is resolved, checking Cloudmark and SORBS, and asking the people who want the email to check the Proofpoint quarantine and add the sender's domain to the safe sender list.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mail সেন shares that email deliverability issues can stem from an unmaintained email list. Regularly cleaning the list, removing disengaged subscribers, and those that have hard bounced can assist in improving overall email deliverability.

July 2021 - Mail সেন
Marketer view

Email marketer from Constant Contact explains the importance of segmenting email lists based on engagement. Sending targeted emails to active subscribers increases engagement rates and improves sender reputation.

June 2021 - Constant Contact
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign explains the importance of warming up new IP addresses. Gradually increasing sending volume over time helps establish a positive sender reputation with ISPs and avoid being flagged as spam.

November 2022 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests sharing the sending IPs to check Cloudmark data and contacting postmaster@proofpoint for assistance.

July 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit notes that Proofpoint often quarantines emails without sending bouncebacks, stopping them before they reach recipients and providing no information to the sender. They say they don't know the next steps from there.

May 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from ZeroBounce emphasizes the importance of regularly validating email addresses to remove invalid or inactive addresses from the email list. This reduces bounce rates and improves sender reputation.

October 2023 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet indicates that it's important to authenticate email sending domain with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. They explain how to correctly configure each of these to ensure email is properly authenticated and delivered.

May 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps recommends using email testing tools to check email placement across different ISPs and identify potential deliverability issues before sending to a live audience. These tests simulate real-world inbox placement.

May 2021 - GlockApps

What the experts say
6Expert opinions

When emails are not bouncing or going to spam, Proofpoint deliverability issues might be caused by bad content (URLs/content found in unwanted mail), recipients not wanting the emails, or IP reputation issues. Subscribers who value the mail should ask their admins to intervene. Contacting Proofpoint is worth trying, but corporate filters prioritize business needs. Even one upset subscriber contacting their admin can provide insights. Proofpoint Essentials uses IP reputation to filter messages.

Key opinions

  • Content Matters: Bad content can trigger Proofpoint filtering.
  • Recipient Value: Emails must be wanted and valuable to the recipient's business.
  • Admin Intervention: Subscribers should involve their email admins.
  • Contact Proofpoint: Direct contact with Proofpoint can be helpful.
  • IP Reputation: Proofpoint Essentials filters based on IP reputation.

Key considerations

  • Content Review: Review email content for problematic URLs or phrases.
  • Engagement: Focus on engaged subscribers and business needs.
  • Subscriber Advocacy: Encourage subscribers to voice their concerns to their admins.
  • Realistic Expectations: Understand corporate filters prioritize business needs.
  • IP Reputation Management: Monitor and manage IP reputation.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that if even one upset subscriber asks their mail admin 'WTF?' and relays the answer back, it might be enlightening.

July 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that the email deliverability issues with Proofpoint could be due to bad content or the recipients not wanting the mail.

September 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that it doesn't hurt to ask Proofpoint, as they are reasonable and helpful, but corporate filters prioritize the company's needs.

March 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that 'bad content' refers to URLs or content in the email body that are also found in unwanted mail.

January 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains if subscribers want the mail and it is valuable to the companies business admins can get the mail by asking their admins. As an outsider it is unlikely to influence the decision if mail isnt valuable to business goals.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains Proofpoint Essentials uses IP reputation to filter messages. The article provides a real life example of troubleshooting that.

July 2021 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

To resolve deliverability issues with Proofpoint, utilize the false positive/negative reporting system. End users can manage their quarantines by releasing messages and whitelisting senders. Admins can configure connection management settings to block/allow IPs and countries. Additionally, set up feedback loops with major ISPs to monitor complaint rates, as high rates can negatively impact sender reputation.

Key findings

  • Reporting System: Proofpoint provides a system for reporting false positives and negatives.
  • User Quarantine Management: End users have the ability to manage their own quarantined emails.
  • Connection Management: Admins can control IP and country access via connection management settings.
  • Feedback Loops: Feedback loops are valuable for tracking complaint rates.

Key considerations

  • Reporting Utilization: Encourage senders to use the reporting system for misclassified emails.
  • User Training: Educate end users on how to manage their quarantine effectively.
  • Admin Configuration: Properly configure connection management based on legitimate traffic patterns.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Proactively monitor feedback loops to identify and address deliverability problems.
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint Knowledge Base explains how end users can manage their own quarantined emails. End users can release messages, whitelist senders, and manage blocked senders to allow/prevent delivery of future messages.

April 2024 - Proofpoint Knowledge Base
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin explains that setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with major ISPs allows senders to monitor complaint rates and identify potential issues affecting deliverability. High complaint rates can negatively impact sender reputation.

October 2021 - Google Workspace Admin
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint Support explains how to use the false positive/false negative reporting system (tickets) to make a case that an email should not be quarantined or to report spam that is getting through. There are forms available in both directions.

April 2022 - Proofpoint Support
Technical article

Documentation from Proofpoint Essentials Admin Guide explains the settings on connection management to block or allow IPs and countries.

September 2021 - Proofpoint Essentials Admin Guide