How should I group Microsoft email provider data for deliverability reporting?

Summary

The overwhelming consensus from marketers, experts, and documentation sources is that segmenting Microsoft email provider data is crucial for effective deliverability reporting and issue resolution. Several approaches are suggested, including differentiating between Outlook.com/Hotmail (consumer) and Office 365 (business) due to differing spam filter behaviors. Grouping by MX records exhibiting similar behavior is also recommended. Segmentation by domain (e.g., outlook.com, hotmail.com, office365.com) enables tracking performance and identifying provider-specific deliverability problems. Monitoring sender reputation, separating email classes (transactional vs. bulk), and tracking sending authorization are also highlighted. Experts emphasize the importance of consistent monitoring to understand how Microsoft treats emails and address specific filtering algorithms. Failing to segment and monitor can lead to missed opportunities for improvement.

Key findings

  • Critical Segmentation: Segmenting Microsoft email data is universally considered crucial for deliverability reporting.
  • Outlook vs. O365 Differentiation: Distinguishing between Outlook.com/Hotmail (consumer) and Office 365 (business) is highly recommended due to different filtering.
  • MX Record Analysis: Analyzing and grouping by MX records exhibiting similar behavior is a valuable approach.
  • Domain-Specific Issues: Segmentation by domain (outlook.com, hotmail.com, office365.com) reveals and helps address provider-specific deliverability problems.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of sender reputation and deliverability metrics is essential.

Key considerations

  • Granularity Level: Determine the appropriate level of granularity for segmentation, balancing detail with manageability.
  • MX Record Accuracy: Ensure accurate identification of MX records associated with different Microsoft platforms.
  • Algorithm Awareness: Be aware of potential variations in spam filtering algorithms across Microsoft's platforms.
  • Proactive Problem Solving: Implement proactive monitoring to quickly detect and address deliverability issues with Microsoft domains.
  • Resource Allocation: Ensure you have the necessary resources (tools, expertise) to manage and analyze segmented data effectively.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

The consensus among email marketers and deliverability experts is that segmenting Microsoft email provider data for deliverability reporting is crucial. The recommendations vary from separating Outlook.com/Hotmail from Office 365 due to different filtering behaviors, to segmenting by domain (e.g., outlook.com, hotmail.com, office365.com) to monitor performance and identify deliverability issues specific to each. This segmentation allows for targeted troubleshooting and optimization efforts.

Key opinions

  • Segmentation Importance: Segmenting email lists by Microsoft email providers is essential for pinpointing and resolving deliverability problems.
  • Outlook vs. Office 365: Differentiating between Outlook.com/Hotmail and Office 365 is recommended due to distinct spam filtering mechanisms.
  • Domain Monitoring: Tracking email performance by specific Microsoft domains (e.g., outlook.com, hotmail.com) provides valuable insights into deliverability.
  • Actionable Insights: Segmentation allows for targeted strategies to address deliverability challenges, improving overall campaign effectiveness.

Key considerations

  • Provider Variations: Microsoft's different email platforms (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Office 365) have varying spam filters and remediation procedures that could be considered.
  • Granularity: Decide on the level of granularity needed for segmentation; separating Outlook.com from Hotmail might be useful for some but less for others.
  • Performance Tracking: Regularly monitor deliverability metrics for each segment (open rates, click-through rates, bounce rates, complaint rates) to identify and address issues proactively.
  • Actionable Adjustments: Be prepared to adjust email content, sending practices, and authentication settings based on the insights gained from segmented reporting to improve deliverability.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that they recommend differentiating between Outlook.com/Hotmail and Office 365 due to differing spam filter behaviors and feedback loop mechanisms. Treating them as distinct segments improves deliverability troubleshooting.

April 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sender states to segment email lists based on different domains such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft. By focusing on the deliverability metrics such as open rates, click through rates and complaint rates, deliverability issues from your campaign can be highlighted so you can take appropriate action.

April 2022 - Sender
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that using domain-based segmentation to track email performance provides valuable insights into deliverability issues specific to certain providers (e.g., Microsoft). This allows you to identify and address deliverability problems more effectively.

October 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests keeping Outlook (free offerings like outlook.com, Hotmail) and M365 (commercial hosted domains) data separate due to significant variations in filters and remediation paths.

March 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Talking Shrimp recommends segmenting email lists based on email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) to address any deliverability issues specific to each provider and optimize content accordingly.

November 2024 - Talking Shrimp
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOversight Blog states to segment your email list by domain in order to identify and resolve deliverability issues that may be specific to certain providers. This is crucial for reputation management and preventing deliverability issues.

May 2022 - EmailOversight Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that domain segmentation allows you to monitor how your emails perform with different email providers. This helps identify deliverability issues specific to certain domains (like Microsoft) and adjust your strategy accordingly.

September 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass explains that they suggest grouping email provider data for deliverability reporting by separating major domains such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft (including Outlook, Hotmail, and Office 365). This segmentation helps track performance and address issues specific to each domain.

September 2021 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum recommends separating email lists based on recipient domains (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.) to identify and address any deliverability issues specific to each provider.

January 2024 - Email Marketing Forum

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts agree that grouping Microsoft email provider data is beneficial for deliverability reporting. One approach suggests grouping by MX records that exhibit similar behavior. A more granular approach involves segmenting into Microsoft OLC (Outlook Consumer) and O365 (Microsoft B2B), each with distinct MX records. Monitoring is crucial to understand how Microsoft treats emails and diagnose provider-specific issues such as unique filtering algorithms. Failure to monitor and group can lead to missed opportunities for improving deliverability.

Key opinions

  • MX Record Grouping: Grouping by MX records with similar behavior is a recommended approach.
  • OLC vs. O365 Segmentation: Segmenting into Microsoft OLC (Outlook Consumer) and O365 (Microsoft B2B) based on MX records is advised for deeper analysis.
  • Importance of Monitoring: Monitoring is essential to understand how Microsoft treats your emails and identify deliverability issues.
  • Risk of Ignoring: Failure to monitor and group Microsoft data can lead to missed opportunities for improving deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Behavioral Similarity: When grouping by MX records, ensure they exhibit genuinely similar behavior for accurate analysis.
  • MX Record Identification: Accurately identify the MX records associated with Microsoft OLC and O365 for precise segmentation.
  • Algorithm Variations: Consider that different Microsoft platforms may use unique filtering algorithms impacting deliverability.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Establish a proactive monitoring system to detect and address deliverability issues with Microsoft domains promptly.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks agrees with rolling up data by MX domain but recommends segmenting it into Microsoft OLC (Outlook Consumer) with MX's of *.olc.protection.outlook.com versus O365 (Microsoft B2B mail hosting) with MX's of *.mail.protection.outlook.com. They also mention mail.messaging.microsoft.com (Exchange Online?) and *.mx.microsoft (O365 w/Dane?).

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource explains that not grouping and monitoring your email provider data can lead to missed opportunities for improving deliverability with various domains such as Microsoft's. Without this you may not be aware of how Microsoft are treating your emails.

August 2023 - Spamresource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that in a detailed post it is beneficial to group email provider data, as it provides a way to monitor your sending reputation with those email clients and also diagnose problems that are specific to those providers. These problems could include unique filtering algorithms.

March 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests grouping the data by MXes that have similar behavior, which aligns with Ken's suggestion.

May 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Documentation from various sources, including Microsoft, Google (indirectly), SparkPost, RFC, and AWS, emphasizes the importance of segmenting email data for deliverability reporting. Microsoft suggests monitoring sender reputation within its services and segmenting data by infrastructure components. Google's approach highlights domain-based monitoring. SparkPost recommends segmenting traffic by recipient domain. RFC advocates separating email classes by IP or domain, which extends to provider segmentation. AWS stresses tracking sending authorization, supporting segmented metric analysis for deliverability monitoring across providers.

Key findings

  • Sender Reputation: Monitoring sender reputation with Microsoft is crucial for understanding deliverability.
  • Domain Segmentation: Segmenting email traffic based on recipient domain (e.g., Microsoft) is recommended for targeted troubleshooting.
  • Email Class Separation: Separating email classes (bulk vs. transactional) by IP or domain benefits deliverability management.
  • Authorization Tracking: Tracking sending authorization is key to prevent abuse and maintain deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Infrastructure Variations: Microsoft's infrastructure has different components that could require granular segmentation.
  • Monitoring Tools: Utilize appropriate monitoring tools (like Google Postmaster Tools) to track deliverability by domain.
  • Provider-Specific Issues: Be prepared to address deliverability issues specific to Microsoft (Outlook, Hotmail, Office 365).
  • Sending Practices: Review and adjust sending practices based on insights from segmented reporting to improve deliverability.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that they recommend monitoring your sender reputation within their services, and segmenting data by different parts of their infrastructure might be needed for comprehensive understanding. Different MX records correlate to different departments/services which could impact delivery.

March 2023 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that you should monitor your sending reputation with Google Postmaster Tools. While not directly Microsoft-related, Google's documentation stresses monitoring deliverability by domain, implying similar importance for Microsoft domains.

March 2022 - Google Postmaster Tools
Technical article

Documentation from AWS explains that you should track your sending authorization, this is so you can make sure that only expected email is sent and identify any abuse to your email systems which can negatively impact deliverability. AWS uses a similar structure of services for email which means that they would suggest breaking down provider metrics for deliverability monitoring.

May 2023 - AWS
Technical article

Documentation from RFC states that it is useful to separate different classes of email (bulk vs. transactional) on separate IP addresses and/or domains as it makes it much easier to diagnose and deal with reputation issues on one stream without affecting other streams. This segregation would also apply to specific providers if necessary.

May 2024 - RFC-7282
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that segmenting email traffic based on recipient domain helps in pinpointing deliverability issues specific to providers like Microsoft (Outlook, Hotmail, Office 365). This allows for more targeted troubleshooting and reputation management.

August 2022 - SparkPost