How to fix email delivery issues to iCloud addresses?
Summary
What email marketers say8Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Reddit discusses that iCloud is known for strict filtering policies. They suggest closely monitoring bounce rates and feedback loops, and proactively removing unengaged subscribers to maintain a healthy sender reputation.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow answers that SMTP error messages from iCloud, such as 'Messages rejected due to local policy,' typically indicate IP address or domain reputation issues. Resolving these requires addressing spam complaints and improving sending practices.
Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that to troubleshoot deliverability problems to iCloud, check your domain's presence on blocklists, use reputable IP addresses, and ensure consistent email formatting to avoid triggering spam filters.
Email marketer from MXToolbox suggests using their diagnostic tools to check your domain's DNS records, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These tools also identify potential blocklisting issues that could affect delivery to iCloud.
Email marketer from SendGrid outlines that setting up feedback loops with major ISPs like Apple/iCloud allows you to receive reports when users mark your emails as spam. Addressing these complaints helps maintain a good sender reputation.
Email marketer from Return Path discusses that sender reputation is a crucial factor for iCloud deliverability. Monitoring and maintaining a positive sender reputation through authentication, engagement, and list hygiene is vital.
Email marketer from Litmus discusses that maintaining list hygiene is crucial. Regularly remove inactive subscribers and process bounces and unsubscribe requests promptly to prevent deliverability issues with services like iCloud.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that issues sending to iCloud addresses often stem from sender reputation. Improving sender reputation through authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), consistent sending volume, and list hygiene is crucial for better deliverability.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that iCloud is known for having aggressive spam filtering, so it's important to maintain a good sender reputation and follow best practices to avoid being flagged as spam.
Expert from Email Geeks asks if there are other blocks from Proofpoint, suggesting a possible connection.
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that it is important to check the bounce messages received when sending to iCloud. This can often lead to determining the issue as to why deliverability is being affected.
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that Apple in particular requires authentication as well as good list hygiene in order to ensure deliverability.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that if the issue is only affecting one customer, the customer should clean up their list and only send to explicitly opted-in recipients. Then, contact postmaster@icloud.com to request the block be lifted. She also confirms that the error message is a standard Apple rejection message.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from DKIM.org explains that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) provides an email authentication method that uses a digital signature to verify the sender's domain. Implementing DKIM involves generating a key pair and adding the public key to your DNS records.
Documentation from RFC explains that SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. Properly configuring SPF helps prevent spammers from forging your domain in the 'From' address.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) helps email senders protect their domain from unauthorized use, like spoofing. Implementing it involves publishing a DMARC record in your DNS and ensuring SPF and DKIM are properly configured.
Documentation from Apple Support explains that if you can't send or receive mail on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, check your internet connection, ensure your mail settings are correct, and contact Apple Support if problems persist.