How to resolve Microsoft email delays due to IP reputation and recipient interaction?
Summary
What email marketers say8Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Quora responds that ensuring your email content is relevant and engaging to your audience is key. Tailor your content to match subscriber interests and behaviors. High engagement rates signal to mailbox providers that your emails are valuable, thus improving your reputation.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that implementing proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for improving deliverability. Proper authentication verifies that your emails are sent from a legitimate source and reduces the chances of being marked as spam.
Email marketer from Email Geeks asks if SNDS is set up on the IPs and requests information on the data obtained. She asks how long the issue has been occurring and if it's progressively worsening.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow suggests focusing on improving email engagement by segmenting active vs. inactive users and sending relevant content to each group. He also suggests using double opt-in, and regularly cleaning your email lists to remove inactive or invalid addresses, reducing bounce rates and improving sender reputation.
Email marketer from SendGrid Support says that monitoring your sender reputation is vital. Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Microsoft SNDS to track your reputation and identify any issues that need to be addressed.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Tips Blog explains that optimizing your subject lines and email content to avoid spam triggers is necessary. Use clear, concise language and avoid excessive use of exclamation points, all caps, and spam-related keywords.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that maintaining good list hygiene is essential. Regularly remove bounced addresses, unsubscribed users, and inactive subscribers. This reduces bounce rates and improves your sender reputation.
Email marketer from EmailDiscussions.com suggests enrolling in feedback loops (FBLs) offered by Microsoft and other ISPs. FBLs provide information about which users are marking your emails as spam, allowing you to remove those users from your list and reduce complaint rates.
What the experts say4Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains that the problem is not sending speed but recipient interaction. Microsoft believes users don't want the mail. Fixing this will resolve the rate limiting. Sending to active users aims to change the ISP’s opinion, assuming positive interaction improves filter behavior. However, Microsoft now follows links, creating false activity. She questions the segmentation, particularly regarding '[internal]' failures, and suggests investigating why the ESP suppressed those addresses.
Expert from Wordtothewise.com explains that implementing and monitoring feedback loops (FBLs) is crucial. By monitoring the data received from FBLs, senders can identify and remove problematic subscribers, preventing further damage to their reputation and improving deliverability.
Expert from SpamResource.com explains that managing IP reputation involves consistent monitoring and proactive adjustments. They emphasize the importance of gradually warming up new IPs to establish a positive sending history with Microsoft. Also key to manage list quality to prevent bounces.
Expert from Wordtothewise.com responds that improving sender reputation requires understanding Microsoft's specific requirements and feedback loops. They advocate for actively participating in Microsoft's programs to gain insights into deliverability issues and adjust sending practices accordingly. Ensure your email program is opt-in.
What the documentation says7Technical articles
Documentation from DKIM explains the process of DKIM signing, which involves adding a digital signature to your email headers. This signature verifies the authenticity of the email and helps prevent spoofing.
Documentation from RFC defines SPF records and their syntax. Implementing SPF involves creating a DNS record that specifies which IP addresses are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that the error code 451 4.7.650 indicates temporary rate limiting due to IP reputation. They recommend checking the Sender Support in Outlook.com (SNDS) and the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) for further information on IP reputation and user complaints.
Documentation from Microsoft SNDS explains that SNDS provides data about your sending IP's reputation with Microsoft, including complaint rates and spam trap hits. Monitoring SNDS can help identify issues impacting deliverability to Microsoft domains.
Documentation from SparkPost advises warming up IP addresses gradually when starting a new sending IP or increasing sending volume. Slowly increasing the volume helps build a positive reputation with ISPs. Monitor deliverability during the warmup process and adjust sending volume as needed.
Documentation from DMARC details the process of setting up a DMARC policy, which tells receiving mail servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. This helps prevent phishing and spoofing attacks.
Documentation from Microsoft JMRP explains that JMRP allows you to receive copies of messages that users mark as junk. Analyzing these messages can help identify and address issues with your email content or sending practices.