What does Apple's CS02 error mean and how can I fix it on a shared IP?

Summary

Apple's CS02 error indicates a policy-based block due to a poor IP reputation, often triggered when using a shared IP address where the sending behavior of other users can negatively affect your deliverability. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive strategy, including contacting your ESP for support, implementing robust email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), consistently monitoring your sending reputation and deliverability metrics using tools like Google Postmaster Tools, proactively cleaning your email lists, warming up IP addresses gradually, adhering to email sending best practices, promptly handling feedback loops and complaints, and considering switching to a dedicated IP if the problems continue. In certain situations, it may be beneficial to request whitelisting from Apple.

Key findings

  • Reputation Indicator: The CS02 error signifies a problem with your sending IP's reputation, leading to a policy-based block.
  • Shared IP Risks: Shared IP addresses are vulnerable to negative reputation impacts caused by the actions of other users on the same IP.
  • Authentication Importance: Proper email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are essential for verifying sender legitimacy and improving deliverability.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Regular monitoring of your sending reputation, deliverability rates, and blocklist status is crucial for identifying and addressing issues promptly.

Key considerations

  • ESP Support: Reach out to your Email Service Provider (ESP) for assistance in resolving the IP reputation issue and implementing necessary fixes.
  • List Management: Maintain a clean and engaged email list by regularly removing inactive or problematic subscribers.
  • Gradual Warm-up: Gradually warm up new IP addresses, especially when starting with a shared IP, to establish a positive sending reputation.
  • Feedback Loops: Actively monitor and address feedback loops and complaints to improve sender reputation and mitigate deliverability issues.
  • Dedicated IP Option: Consider switching to a dedicated IP address for greater control over your sending reputation if problems persist on a shared IP.
  • Apple Whitelisting: If you believe your emails are being incorrectly blocked, consider requesting whitelisting from Apple.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

Apple's CS02 error indicates a policy-based block due to poor IP reputation, often exacerbated by using a shared IP. Resolving this requires a multi-faceted approach, including monitoring sender reputation, improving email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), cleaning email lists, warming up IP addresses gradually, and actively addressing complaints and feedback loops. If issues persist, switching to a dedicated IP may be necessary.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Impact: Shared IPs are affected by the sending behavior of all users on the IP, impacting deliverability.
  • Email Authentication: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is critical for verifying sender legitimacy.
  • List Hygiene: Cleaning email lists and removing unengaged subscribers improves sender reputation.
  • Monitoring Tools: Tools are available to monitor IP reputation, blocklist status, and deliverability rates.

Key considerations

  • Gradual Warm-up: Gradually warm up your IP address when starting with a new shared IP to establish a positive reputation.
  • Feedback Loops: Monitor and address feedback loops and complaints promptly to maintain a good sender reputation.
  • Dedicated IP: If issues persist on a shared IP, consider switching to a dedicated IP for greater control over reputation.
  • Contact Apple: If incorrectly blocked, request whitelisting from Apple.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOctopus shares that when using a shared IP, your sender reputation is influenced by other users on the same IP. To mitigate CS02 errors, monitor your sending practices, authenticate your emails (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and request whitelisting from Apple if you believe your emails are being incorrectly blocked.

January 2022 - EmailOctopus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit advises checking your sending domain's reputation using online tools. If the reputation is poor, especially due to being on a shared IP, work on improving it by cleaning your email lists, authenticating your emails, and sending consistently high-quality content.

June 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that to resolve CS02 errors, focus on improving overall email health. This includes segmenting your lists to send targeted content, removing unengaged subscribers, and monitoring feedback loops to address complaints promptly. Building a positive sending reputation will help overcome shared IP challenges.

November 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum highlights that shared IP addresses can be problematic if other users are engaging in spammy behavior. To address CS02 errors, actively monitor your IP reputation and consider switching to a dedicated IP if problems persist, giving you more control over your sending reputation.

August 2022 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps shares that you should use monitoring tools to track your email deliverability rates across various ISPs, including Apple. These tools provide insights into inbox placement, spam folder delivery, and potential deliverability issues that may cause CS02 errors.

October 2021 - GlockApps
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that the issue is a policy block based on IP reputation. Also mentions that Klaviyo uses Sendgrid's sending infrastructure.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus suggests checking if your IP address is on any email blocklists. If you find yourself on a blocklist, take steps to get removed by following the blocklist's removal process. This can significantly improve your email deliverability and reduce CS02 errors.

May 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendPulse shares the importance of warming up your IP address gradually when starting with a new shared IP. This involves sending small volumes initially and gradually increasing them over time. This helps establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs and reduces the likelihood of being blocked.

December 2022 - SendPulse
Marketer view

Email marketer from Constant Contact emphasizes the importance of setting up email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC). These protocols help verify that you are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain, improving deliverability and reducing the risk of being flagged as spam.

April 2021 - Constant Contact

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Apple's CS02 error signifies a policy-based block stemming from a bad IP reputation, often affecting senders using shared IPs due to the actions of other users. Resolving the issue involves contacting the ESP for support, cleaning email lists, improving sender authentication, closely monitoring sending metrics, complying with email standards, and correctly warming up the IP.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Based: CS02 indicates a problem with your sending IP's reputation.
  • Shared IP Risk: Shared IP addresses are susceptible to negative reputation impacts from other users.
  • ESP Responsibility: ESPs have a responsibility to maintain the reputation of their shared IPs.

Key considerations

  • Contact ESP: Reach out to your ESP for support in addressing the IP reputation issue.
  • List Cleaning: Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or problematic subscribers.
  • Authentication: Implement and maintain proper email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  • Monitoring: Closely monitor your sending metrics (bounce rates, complaints) to identify and address potential issues proactively.
  • Compliance: Comply with email sending standards and best practices to maintain a good sending reputation.
  • IP Warmup: Warm up the IP address correctly, especially when starting with a new IP or after a period of inactivity.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Apple's CS02 error message means the sender has a bad reputation.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that since the sender is on a shared IP and not doing anything wrong, they should push on their ESP support to fix the IP reputation issue.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that being on shared IPs require constant monitoring because you're affected by neighbors. To mitigate negative reputation impacts, closely monitor your metrics, comply with email standards, and warm up your IP correctly to avoid blocks like CS02.

August 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource shares that bounce codes like 554 5.7.1 are often used to signify policy issues, including reputation-based blocks. Shared IP addresses are commonly affected because the actions of other users can negatively impact your sending reputation. Addressing this involves cleaning your list and improving sender authentication.

February 2025 - Spamresource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

The CS02 error from Apple signifies a policy-related rejection due to poor IP reputation, often linked to shared IPs where your reputation is affected by other senders. Resolving this necessitates maintaining high email quality, monitoring bounce rates and sender reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools, addressing deliverability issues, authenticating emails (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and adhering to general email sending best practices. Contacting Apple's postmaster may also be necessary.

Key findings

  • Policy Rejection: CS02 indicates a policy rejection, specifically related to IP reputation.
  • Shared IP Impact: Sending from a shared IP links your reputation to other senders on that IP.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Tools like Google Postmaster Tools can provide insights into your sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Email Quality: Maintain high email quality to prevent deliverability issues.
  • Bounce Rate: Monitor bounce rates to identify and address deliverability problems.
  • Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability.
  • Best Practices: Adhere to email sending best practices to maintain a good reputation.
  • Contact Apple: Contact Apple's postmaster for assistance with deliverability issues.
Technical article

Documentation from Apple Support explains that the 554 5.7.1 error in email bounce messages generally indicates a policy-related rejection. The 'CS02' code specifically points to issues related to IP address reputation or sending policies, often triggered when sending from a shared IP address with poor reputation.

September 2024 - Apple Support
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft details that while the CS02 error is specific to Apple, similar errors across different providers often stem from IP reputation. Improving sender reputation involves ensuring proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining low complaint rates, and adhering to email sending best practices.

November 2024 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools advises regularly monitoring your sender reputation using their tools. Even though it’s for Google, it gives an overall idea of your sending reputation. Low reputation scores indicate potential deliverability issues, including blocks from other providers like Apple.

September 2022 - Google Postmaster Tools
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that sending from a shared IP means your reputation is linked to other senders using the same IP. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain high email quality, monitor bounce rates, and promptly address any deliverability issues reported by recipients or ISPs like Apple. Contacting Apple postmaster is advised.

June 2022 - SparkPost