What to do when Microsoft's SNDS IP review auto-reply is received?

Summary

When you receive an automated reply from Microsoft's SNDS IP review, understand this is a standard confirmation. Wait for the subsequent manual review by Microsoft. Experts advise *against* replying to the auto-reply; instead, respond to the human-reviewed follow-up. Proactively monitor your IP's SNDS reputation for complaint rate changes. If there's no follow-up within 48 hours, resubmit the request with detailed information. Check blocklists regularly. Utilize SNDS with JMRP for a comprehensive reputation view. Expect 1-2 days for investigation if blocked. Properly handle bounces and review SNDS data to address high complaint rates and spam traps, but remember SNDS is one data point; use other monitoring services too, especially the Outlook.com FBL for accurate complaint feedback.

Key findings

  • Auto-Reply is Standard: The SNDS auto-reply is a standard confirmation of your request.
  • Wait for Manual Review: Await the follow-up response after human review, and do not reply to the automated message.
  • Monitor SNDS: Actively monitor your IP reputation within SNDS for changes in complaint rates.
  • Resubmit if Needed: If no follow-up or unresolved issue, resubmit with all relevant details.
  • Check Blocklists: Regularly check your IP against blocklists (Spamhaus, Barracuda, etc.).
  • Use SNDS and JMRP: Employ SNDS in conjunction with JMRP for a comprehensive view of your reputation.
  • Resolution Time: Expect a 1-2 day investigation if your IP was blocked.
  • Address Bounces: Properly handle bounces by removing invalid addresses to maintain IP health.
  • Review SNDS Data: Analyze SNDS data, especially regarding spam traps and complaint volumes.
  • SNDS is One Data Point: Use other reputation monitoring services to get a full view, and look at Outlook.com FBL for complaint data.

Key considerations

  • Patience: Be patient and wait for the human-reviewed follow-up message before taking further actions.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive monitoring to identify issues early and maintain IP health.
  • Address Underlying Issues: High complaint rates indicate potential problems with sending practices/list hygiene that must be fixed.
  • Provide Detailed Information: When resubmitting, supply all relevant details about the issue and steps taken to fix it.
  • Comprehensive View: Utilize a variety of reputation monitoring tools to get a comprehensive picture of your email reputation and identify any potential issues.

What email marketers say
8Marketer opinions

When receiving an automated reply from Microsoft's SNDS IP review, it's essential to understand that this is a standard initial response. Following the auto-reply, Microsoft staff will manually review the request. While awaiting this review, monitor your IP's reputation in SNDS for changes in complaint rates. If issues persist or you don't receive a follow-up, resubmit the request, providing detailed information. Regularly check your IP against blocklists and consider using SNDS in conjunction with JMRP for a comprehensive view of your sender reputation. Remember that unblocking typically takes 24-48 hours post corrective actions.

Key opinions

  • Auto-Reply Normal: Receiving an automated reply from Microsoft SNDS is the expected initial response.
  • Manual Review Follows: A manual review by Microsoft staff will occur after the auto-reply.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitor your IP's SNDS reputation for changes in complaint rates.
  • Resubmit if Needed: If no response or unresolved issue, resubmit the SNDS request with detailed information.
  • Check Blocklists: Regularly check your IP address against popular blocklists.
  • Use JMRP: Utilize SNDS in conjunction with the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP).
  • Resolution Time: Unblocking typically takes 24-48 hours after corrective actions.

Key considerations

  • Persistence: Persistence may be required; if no follow-up within 48 hours from Microsoft, resubmit the form.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Monitor your IP address reputation regularly using SNDS and other tools to identify issues early.
  • Corrective Actions: Ensure you have taken corrective actions to address the issues causing the IP to be flagged in SNDS.
  • Detailed Information: When resubmitting, provide all relevant information about the issue and the steps you've taken to address it.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks advises to keep replying to the email, even if repeating information, because with Microsoft tickets, persistence usually leads to resolution.

March 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from answers.microsoft.com states that if your IP is blocked due to SNDS and you have taken corrective actions, the unblocking process via SNDS typically takes between 24 to 48 hours for Microsoft to investigate and process.

March 2023 - answers.microsoft.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from social.technet.microsoft.com explains that if you don't get a response after a reasonable time, or if the issue isn't resolved, resubmitting the SNDS request is a valid approach. Make sure to include all relevant information about the issue and the steps you've taken to address it.

June 2021 - social.technet.microsoft.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from www.mailsen.com answers that you should regularly check your IP address against popular blocklists (like Spamhaus, Barracuda) to see if it's listed. Getting delisted requires following the specific procedures for each blocklist, which usually involves correcting the issues that led to the listing.

March 2023 - www.mailsen.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that he also gets these auto-responses sporadically, and they generally follow up with an actual response within about 24 hours, sometimes faster, sometimes not at all. If there's no follow-up within 48 hours, he usually resubmits the contact form.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from answers.microsoft.com explains that receiving an automated response from SNDS is normal. Microsoft's SNDS system typically provides an automated response upon initial submission. This confirms receipt of the request. Subsequent manual review by Microsoft staff will follow.

May 2022 - answers.microsoft.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from answers.microsoft.com shares that after receiving the automated reply, monitor your IP's reputation using SNDS. Look for changes in complaint rates. If the issue persists, consider opening a support ticket through the Microsoft 365 admin center for direct assistance.

September 2021 - answers.microsoft.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from www.mailsen.com responds to use SNDS in conjunction with the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) to get a comprehensive view of your sender reputation with Microsoft. JMRP provides feedback from users who mark your emails as junk, which can help identify problematic content or sending practices.

July 2024 - www.mailsen.com

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

When receiving Microsoft's SNDS IP review auto-reply, experts advise against replying to the automated message. Instead, wait for the human-reviewed follow-up. Furthermore, remember that SNDS is just one source of data; use other reputation monitoring services. SNDS highlights spam traps and complaint rates but the Outlook.com Feedback Loop (FBL) gives more accurate complaint data.

Key opinions

  • Don't Reply to Auto-Reply: Do not reply to the initial auto-generated email; wait for the human-reviewed response.
  • SNDS is One Data Point: SNDS is not the only source of reputation data; consider other monitoring services.
  • Highlights Spam Traps: SNDS can highlight spam traps hit by your server (seeded, recycled, typo traps).
  • Complaint Rates: SNDS shows complaint rates, but the Outlook.com FBL is more accurate.

Key considerations

  • Waiting for Follow-Up: Be patient and wait for the follow-up message that is not auto-generated before taking further action.
  • Holistic Monitoring: Use a combination of reputation monitoring services alongside SNDS for a comprehensive view of your sender reputation.
  • Spam Trap Analysis: Analyze spam trap data from SNDS to identify potential issues with list hygiene and acquisition practices.
  • FBL Data Importance: Prioritize feedback from the Outlook.com FBL for the most accurate view of user complaints.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that SNDS will highlight spam traps that the server is hitting, including any seeded, recycled, or typo traps.

April 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource mentions that SNDS also shows your complaint rates, however, notes that the Outlook.com FBL is more accurate for complaints as it comes directly from users marking mail as junk.

May 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advises against replying to the initial auto-generated email. Instead, one should reply to the actual non-bot generated follow-up message, which will come after the initial message is reviewed by a human.

April 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that SNDS is just one data point and you need to also look at other reputation monitoring services.

September 2023 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Upon receiving the SNDS auto-reply, Microsoft documentation emphasizes the importance of reviewing SNDS data to understand complaint volumes, indicating potential issues with sending practices or list hygiene. It typically takes 1-2 days for Microsoft to investigate blocked IPs. Proper bounce handling is crucial to maintain IP reputation by processing and removing invalid email addresses automatically.

Key findings

  • Review SNDS Data: Analyze SNDS data to understand complaint volumes associated with your IP.
  • Investigation Time: Expect a 1-2 day investigation period for blocked IPs.
  • Handle Bounces Properly: Properly handle bounces by removing invalid email addresses from sending lists.

Key considerations

  • Address High Complaint Rates: High complaint rates suggest underlying problems with your sending practices or list hygiene that need to be addressed.
  • Patience During Investigation: Allow 1-2 days for Microsoft to investigate after submitting your SNDS request, if your IP was blocked.
  • Implement Bounce Management: Implement a robust bounce management system to automatically remove invalid addresses from your email lists.
Technical article

Documentation from learn.microsoft.com highlights the importance of properly handling bounces, which are a common reason for IP reputation issues. Ensure your system is configured to process and remove invalid email addresses from your sending lists automatically.

August 2024 - learn.microsoft.com
Technical article

Documentation from learn.microsoft.com explains to review the SNDS data to understand the volume of complaints associated with your IP address. High complaint rates indicate potential issues with your sending practices or list hygiene.

December 2021 - learn.microsoft.com
Technical article

Documentation from sendersupport.olc.protection.outlook.com shares that it usually takes 1-2 days to investigate your SNDS request, if your IP was blocked.

October 2023 - sendersupport.olc.protection.outlook.com