How to resolve email blocking issues with Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss?

Summary

Resolving email blocking issues with Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss requires a comprehensive approach involving technical configurations, reputation management, and proactive engagement. Direct support from the ISP might be ineffective; instead, focus on verifying SPF and rDNS records, monitoring and improving sender reputation through IP warming and feedback loops, and adhering to sending volume limits. If blacklisted, identify the reason and follow delisting procedures. Proper email authentication with DKIM, SPF, and DMARC is essential, and adhering to SMTP standards is crucial. Engaging with blocklists, potentially through third-party senders, and avoiding IPs with prior spam history are also important steps.

Key findings

  • Limited ISP Support: Direct support from Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss might be ineffective.
  • Technical Configuration is Key: Correctly configured SPF, DKIM, and rDNS records are foundational.
  • Reputation Management Matters: Maintaining a good sender reputation through IP warming, feedback loops, and adhering to volume limits is vital.
  • Blacklist Monitoring and Engagement: Regularly check for blacklistings and engage with blocklists if issues arise, potentially through third-party senders.

Key considerations

  • Verify SPF and rDNS: Ensure SPF and rDNS records are correctly configured to verify email server authorization.
  • Monitor Sender Reputation: Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools to monitor sender reputation and spam rates.
  • Implement Email Authentication: Set up DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records to authenticate email and improve deliverability.
  • Adhere to Volume Limits: Understand and adhere to the sending volume limits imposed by the ISP.
  • Engage with Blocklists: If blacklisted, identify the cause, resolve it, and engage with the blocklist for delisting, potentially through third-party providers.
  • Avoid Spammy IPs: Carefully vet IP addresses to ensure they haven't been used for spam in the past.
  • Comply with Standards: Adhere to SMTP standards outlined in RFC documents to minimize spam flagging.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Resolving email blocking issues with Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss involves a multi-faceted approach. Direct contact with their support might not be effective, but checking SPF records, abuse contacts, and contacting the network team could be helpful. Monitoring and maintaining a good sender reputation, warming up new IPs gradually, and configuring SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS records correctly are crucial. Feedback loops and adherence to sending volume limits are also essential. Checking your server's IP against blacklists and requesting delisting, if necessary, are important steps.

Key opinions

  • Support Unresponsiveness: Direct contact with Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss support may not be effective in resolving blocking issues.
  • Technical Checks: Verifying and correcting SPF records and rDNS records, and checking for blacklist listings are important first steps.
  • Proactive Reputation Management: Maintaining a good sender reputation through IP warming, adhering to volume limits, and using feedback loops can prevent blocking.
  • Network Team Contact: Contacting the network team via abuse contacts may be a viable alternative to standard support channels.

Key considerations

  • Blacklist Monitoring: Regularly check your IP address against email blacklists and follow the delisting procedures if necessary.
  • Authentication Setup: Ensure your domain has correctly configured SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS records to verify your email server's authorization.
  • Sender Reputation: Monitor your sender reputation using tools like Sender Score or Google Postmaster Tools and address any issues promptly.
  • IP Warming: Gradually warm up new IP addresses to establish a positive sending reputation.
  • Volume Limits: Understand and adhere to the sending volume limits imposed by Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss.
  • Feedback Loops: Set up feedback loops with ISPs to receive reports about spam complaints and address them promptly.
Marketer view

Email marketer from dslreports.com suggests contacting Optimum support to request IP delisting. They indicate that if your IP is dynamically assigned and has been used for spam previously, it might be blacklisted, requiring a delisting request.

January 2023 - dslreports.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks provides Synchronoss' SPF record and abuse contact information, suggesting that contacting the network team might be a solution when facing issues.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares his experience with Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss blocking transactional emails. He explains he contacted them multiple times as a customer, but they were unresponsive and the issue eventually resolved itself without their intervention, suggesting they have little interest in resolving these types of issues.

February 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailMarketingForum recommends understanding and adhering to the sending volume limits imposed by Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss. Exceeding these limits can trigger spam filters and lead to blocking issues.

July 2024 - EmailMarketingForum
Marketer view

Email marketer from webmasterworld.com recommends ensuring that your domain has correctly configured SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and reverse DNS records. These records help verify that your email server is authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain, which can reduce the likelihood of being blocked.

October 2023 - webmasterworld.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerMailer advises regularly checking your sender reputation using tools like Sender Score or Google Postmaster Tools. A low sender reputation can lead to email blocking issues, indicating that steps need to be taken to improve your sending practices.

December 2021 - MailerMailer
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stackoverflow discusses the importance of setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with ISPs to receive reports about spam complaints. Addressing these complaints promptly can improve your sender reputation and reduce blocking incidents.

October 2023 - Stackoverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit advises checking your server's IP address against common email blacklists using online tools. If your IP is listed, they recommend following the specific delisting procedures provided by the blacklist.

October 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Superuser suggests gradually warming up new IP addresses by sending emails in increasing volumes over time. This helps establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs like Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss, reducing the chance of being blocked.

March 2021 - Superuser
Marketer view

Email marketer from FixYa advises that if you have taken all necessary steps and are still experiencing blocking issues, contacting Optimum/Optonline/Altice/Synchronoss directly through their support channels is necessary. They may provide specific guidance or assistance based on your account and sending practices.

January 2022 - FixYa
Marketer view

Email marketer from Tech Support Forum advises checking your server's reverse DNS (rDNS) record. The rDNS record should match your sending domain, as a mismatch can be a red flag for spam filters.

September 2024 - Tech Support Forum

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

To resolve email blocking issues, engage with blocklists, especially escalating through third-party senders when direct efforts fail. Maintaining a clean IP reputation is crucial, avoiding IPs previously used for spam. Start by ensuring proper email authentication with valid DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records to establish a good sending reputation.

Key opinions

  • Blocklist Engagement: Engaging with blocklists is crucial for resolving blocking, escalating through third parties when necessary.
  • IP Reputation Matters: Maintaining a clean IP reputation is key; avoid using IPs previously associated with spam.
  • Authentication Foundation: Valid DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records are fundamental for establishing a positive sending reputation.

Key considerations

  • Escalation: If direct blocklist engagement fails, escalate through your third-party sending providers.
  • IP History: Carefully vet IP addresses to ensure they haven't been previously used for spam activities.
  • Authentication Priority: Prioritize setting up and validating DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records before sending any emails.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that maintaining IP reputation is crucial, stating, 'If you suddenly acquire a bunch of IPs that have been used to send spam in the past, the chances are that you will get a lot of filtering problems and blacklisting. A lot of companies make this mistake, and blame the anti-spam companies!'

November 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that Improving Email Deliverability and says, 'Start with authentication. Make sure you have valid DKIM, SPF, and DMARC records for your sending domains. This is the foundation for a good sending reputation.

June 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains engaging with blocklists to resolve blocking and says, 'Sometimes, though, that’s not enough and you’re still blocked. It’s time to engage. If you’re using a 3rd party, escalate the block to them as well. They should be able to work with the blocklist on your behalf.'

June 2023 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Resolving email blocking issues involves several key steps. If your IP is on a Spamhaus blocklist, identify the reason and request removal after resolving the issue. Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for email authentication and maintain a good sender reputation by avoiding spam-like content. Utilize Google Postmaster Tools to monitor your sending reputation and spam rates. Adhere to SMTP standards defined in RFC documents to ensure compatibility and reduce spam flagging.

Key findings

  • Blocklist Delisting: If listed on Spamhaus, identify the cause, resolve it, and then request delisting.
  • Email Authentication: Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is critical for authenticating your email.
  • Sender Reputation Monitoring: Use Google Postmaster Tools to track your sender reputation and spam rates.
  • SMTP Standards: Adhering to SMTP standards outlined in RFC documents reduces spam flags.

Key considerations

  • Spamhaus Process: Understand and follow Spamhaus' delisting process if your IP is listed.
  • Reputation Management: Actively manage your sender reputation by avoiding spam-like content and following best practices.
  • Google Tools: Regularly monitor Google Postmaster Tools to identify and address deliverability issues.
  • RFC Compliance: Ensure your email sending practices comply with SMTP standards defined in RFC documents.
Technical article

Documentation from ietf.org answers the question about SMTP standards, Email marketer from Stackoverflow discusses the importance of understanding and implementing SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) standards as defined in RFC documents. Adhering to these standards ensures compatibility and reduces the likelihood of being flagged as spam.

December 2021 - ietf.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains its function, Google Postmaster Tools allows senders to monitor their sending reputation, spam rate, and other metrics related to Gmail users. It's a valuable resource to identify and address issues that might cause email blocking.

January 2023 - Google Postmaster Tools
Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus explains that if your IP address is listed on a Spamhaus blocklist, you should first identify the reason for the listing. If the issue has been resolved, they offer a lookup tool to request removal, provided you meet their delisting criteria.

October 2024 - Spamhaus
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains the importance of setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain to authenticate email. It also mentions that maintaining a good sender reputation and avoiding spam-like content can help prevent emails from being marked as junk.

December 2022 - Microsoft