What are the top ISPs and mailbox providers in the UK?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Reddit shares that the major email providers in the UK include Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and iCloud, although the specific market share breakdown can fluctuate.
Marketer from Email Geeks believes the data is skewed when looking for domains ending in .uk, and the list might not include many actual ISP mailboxes.
Email marketer from Online Marketing Blog responds that broadband providers such as BT, Sky, and Virgin Media still offer email services to their customers, and this can influence email usage patterns across the UK.
Email marketer from EmailVendorSelection.com shares that there's a trend towards specialized email hosting and security providers alongside traditional ISPs. The UK market sees a mix of global players and niche providers catering to specific business needs.
Email marketer from Mobile Marketing Forum notes that mobile providers also affect email usage, with their native email apps facilitating access to various email accounts, which may vary depending on user preferences.
Email marketer from Digital Marketing Community highlights the pervasive use of webmail services like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail in the UK, suggesting marketers should optimize campaigns for these platforms.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum responds that while specific numbers change, Gmail and Outlook are generally considered the dominant email providers in the UK, with Yahoo and smaller regional ISPs also holding significant shares.
Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that some entities on the list are better described as filter providers, such as Mimecast, Proofpoint, and Hornet.
Email marketer from Local Business Forums UK explains that regional ISPs like Plusnet and TalkTalk also play a role, particularly in specific geographic areas. These providers often bundle email services with their internet packages.
Email marketer from Webmaster Forum responds that smaller email providers and hosting companies often cater to specific niches. These include companies offering privacy-focused email or specialized business solutions. It is hard to give a definitive list.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks says that externally the distinction between MBPs, ISPs, and Filterers blurs. They are all essentially "mx gatekeepers".
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that ISPs and mailbox providers in the UK, like those elsewhere, heavily rely on domain reputation to filter email. Maintaining a good sending reputation is critical for deliverability.
Expert from Email Geeks acknowledges the data will be biased almost no matter how you slice it, so it is important to slice it, and note the limits of the slicing and ranking.
Expert from Email Geeks shares a snapshot view of top ISPs/MBPs in the UK, noting that there are multiple ways to measure this, each with its limitations. For more details and methodology, see: <https://www.spamresource.com/2022/12/fun-with-data-top-uk-mailbox-providers.html>
Expert from Spam Resource suggests that data from companies like Return Path (now Validity) and Litmus can provide insights into mailbox provider market share in the UK. However, the accuracy can vary based on data collection methods.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from legislation.gov.uk explains Data Protection Act details data protection compliance, indirectly discussing how major ISPs and mailbox providers in the UK must comply with these regulations when handling personal data in emails.
Documentation from GOV.UK provides information on the UK internet landscape, indirectly referencing major ISPs and their impact on email provision. It emphasizes the importance of secure and reliable internet services, which are often bundled with email services.
Documentation from ICO.org.uk provides guidance on email marketing compliance, indirectly referring to the reliance on major ISPs and mailbox providers for delivering marketing communications in the UK, highlighting the need for data protection and consent.
Documentation from Ofcom details the UK Communications Market Report which, while not explicitly listing email providers, offers insight into broadband and mobile usage, indirectly pointing to ISPs like BT, Virgin Media, and Sky as significant mailbox providers. The report highlights the competitive landscape and the increasing reliance on webmail services offered by global tech companies.
Documentation from Nominet details domain name registration, and provides indirect insights into email usage by tracking domain registrations associated with email services. It shows the popularity of .uk domains, often linked to local email providers.