What does Apple's 'Message rejected due to local policy' error mean, and how can it be resolved?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they resolved a similar issue by emailing the iCloud postmaster address.
Email marketer from Email Provider Forum User 'MailGuru' suggests the issue could be related to the content of the email triggering spam filters at the receiving end. They recommend reviewing email content for common spam triggers and ensuring proper email authentication.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailHelp shares that the error can be due to the sender's IP address being blacklisted. They advise checking IP reputation using online tools and contacting the blacklist provider for removal.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/DeliverEmail states that using URL shorteners like Bitly or TinyURL can sometimes cause this error, as these links are often flagged as suspicious. Use full URLs or a custom domain.
Email marketer from Email Deliverability Blog explains that some receiving mail servers enforce strict size limits on emails. Compressing attachments or sending a link to a file hosted online may resolve the issue.
Email marketer from Quora suggests it could be due to exceeding sending limits. Especially new accounts are often subject to limits to prevent spam. Gradually increase sending volume.
Email marketer from StackOverflow User 'EmailPro' recommends ensuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly set up for the sending domain to improve email authentication and reduce the chance of rejection.
Email marketer from SuperUser explains that some organisations have strict keyword blocking. So if you are sending an email about a specific piece of software they don't like. This could cause the rejection.
Email marketer from Webmaster Forum User 'NetMail' advises checking if the sender domain has a history of spam complaints. A high complaint rate negatively impacts reputation and leads to rejections.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that content blocks and shared URL shorteners like Bitly can trigger the error.
What the experts say4Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that Proofpoint bought Cloudmark, so they are effectively the same.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that a 'local policy' rejection means that the receiving server has deliberately chosen not to accept the message due to its own configuration. This can range from simple things like the reputation of your IP, or a more specific filter.
Expert from Word to the Wise, Hal Helms, explains that 'local policy' errors are often vague and require investigation of the specific receiving server's policies. He advises contacting the recipient's administrator or postmaster to understand the specific reason for rejection, which could include content filters, blacklists, or other internal rules.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that the 'CS' in the error message indicates Cloudmark is involved, then confirms Cloudmark is an Apple vendor.
What the documentation says6Technical articles
Documentation from Google Workspace explains that it can occur if the email violates their anti-spam policies or contains malware. Review Google's guidelines for bulk email senders.
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that 'local policy' rejections often stem from the recipient server using Spamhaus blocklists. They suggest investigating if your sending IP or domain is listed and taking steps to delist if necessary.
Documentation from Microsoft explains the error can be caused if the sender's domain is blocked or listed in the recipient's organization's block list. It advises contacting the recipient's IT department.
Documentation from RFC 5321 defines that the rejection means the receiving server has a policy in place preventing the delivery. Usually caused by poor domain reputation.
Documentation from MXToolbox states that the 'local policy' rejection means the receiving mail server is deliberately refusing the email based on its own set of rules. They recommend using their tools to check blacklists and diagnose DNS issues.
Documentation from Apple Support explains that this error indicates a problem with the recipient's mail server configuration or policies, causing it to reject the message.