Why are email open rates dropping for Hotmail and Live accounts?

Email marketer from Reddit explains that the type of IP you have could have an affect, if you have a 'shared IP' address you may be affected by the practices of the other senders using the same IP address.

Email marketer from SuperOffice suggests several strategies to improve low email open rates, including improving subject lines, personalizing emails, segmenting your audience, and optimizing send times. They also emphasize the importance of A/B testing to identify what resonates best with your audience.

Email marketer from EmailToolTester.com shares that several factors can contribute to declining open rates, including poor subject lines, sending at the wrong time, not segmenting your list, and deliverability issues. They also recommend regularly cleaning your email list to remove inactive subscribers.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares an alert received on 03/13 stating that several senders have reported a significant drop in inbox rates at Outlook starting on 10 March 2023, and that Outlook is investigating the issue.

Email marketer from GlockApps shares that decreased open rates can be due to various deliverability issues such as emails landing in the spam folder, emails being blocked entirely, or images not displaying correctly. They suggest using a deliverability testing tool to identify and address these problems.

Email marketer from Reddit explains that decreased open rates on Hotmail and Live could stem from multiple issues, including changes to Microsoft's filtering algorithms, poor sender reputation, or a sudden increase in email volume that triggers spam filters.

Email marketer from Litmus explains how the market share of different email clients, including Hotmail and Live, can affect overall open rates. Changes in the popularity or filtering practices of these clients can lead to fluctuations in open rates for senders targeting those platforms.

Email marketer from SenderScore explains that the email senders reputation plays a major part in determining if the recipients email servers will accept the email and place it in the recipients inbox. They state senders must ensure they follow best practices to establish and maintain a good reputation.

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that a sender's reputation significantly influences email deliverability to all email providers, including Hotmail and Live. Factors such as spam complaints, bounce rates, and engagement metrics contribute to this reputation. Maintaining a clean email list and engaging content are crucial for a positive sender reputation.

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor advises senders to authenticate their emails with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to prove their legitimacy and prevent spoofing. They also recommend using a dedicated IP address to build a positive sender reputation with email providers like Hotmail and Live.

Expert from Email Geeks shares that many people are reporting deliverability issues with Hotmail and Live and suggests filing a ticket and asking for escalation.

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Microsoft's (Hotmail/Live) filtering is complex and ever-changing, impacting deliverability. Factors such as IP reputation, domain reputation, content, and user engagement all play a role. It may not be one particular thing but a combination of factors that tips emails into the spam folder.

Expert from Email Geeks reiterates that the current advice is to file a ticket and ask for escalation. The issue might be rolled back if Microsoft receives negative feedback about the aggressive filters.

Expert from Word to the Wise highlights Microsoft's SmartScreen filter and its impact on inbox placement. They share it's based on many factors that influence the recipients experience with the emails you send and your brand.

Expert from Email Geeks explains the deliverability issue is affecting a wide range of senders at Microsoft free mailboxes, likely due to changes in filtering algorithms that are now more aggressive. This may be targeting specific types of mail.

Documentation from Microsoft advises senders to implement email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify their identity and improve deliverability to Outlook.com. They also suggest avoiding spam triggers in email content and using a dedicated IP address.

Documentation from SparkPost highlights the importance of managing sender reputation with Microsoft by requesting feedback loop access, actively monitoring SNDS, and staying up-to-date on Microsoft's policies and best practices.

Documentation from Microsoft highlights the importance of using Postmaster Tools to monitor your email traffic, spam complaint rate, and IP reputation with Outlook.com. They emphasize that maintaining a good reputation is crucial for ensuring deliverability.

Documentation from Microsoft explains that deliverability issues with Outlook.com can be due to various factors, including sender reputation, content filtering, and authentication protocols. They recommend using the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) to monitor your IP reputation and address any issues.