Why are emails sent via Mailchimp delivered successfully but not received by Microsoft accounts?

Summary

Emails sent via Mailchimp might not reach Microsoft inboxes for a multitude of reasons. These range from the recipient having blocked the sender, to Microsoft's complex and sometimes opaque filtering system, to issues with the sender's reputation (both IP and domain), to the content of the emails themselves, and poor list hygiene practices. Microsoft is known to sometimes accept emails only to discard them later. Proper authentication (SPF/DKIM) is critical, as is adhering to Microsoft's sending guidelines. Monitoring sender reputation, requesting mitigation from your ESP, cleaning email lists, segmenting content, using dedicated IPs (when appropriate), and setting up feedback loops are all important strategies. Furthermore, if an ESP can't provide rejection messages when asked, it may be time to switch providers.

Key findings

  • Blocked Senders/Domains: Recipients may have explicitly blocked the sender or domain.
  • Microsoft's Complex Filtering: Microsoft's filtering system is complex and can block emails even if they pass initial checks.
  • Reputation is King: Microsoft heavily relies on sender reputation (both IP and domain).
  • Content Matters: Email content can trigger spam filters.
  • List Hygiene is Crucial: Poor list hygiene degrades sender reputation and deliverability.
  • Vanishing Emails: Microsoft sometimes accepts emails but discards them silently.

Key considerations

  • Check Blocked Lists: Recipients should check their blocked senders/domains lists.
  • Request ESP Mitigation: Ask your ESP (Mailchimp) to investigate and mitigate reputation issues.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are properly configured.
  • Adhere to MS Policies: Adhere to Outlook.com's sending policies and guidelines.
  • Practice List Hygiene: Regularly clean your email lists.
  • Segment Content: Send targeted, relevant content to improve engagement.
  • Monitor Reputation: Monitor your sender reputation (e.g., using SNDS).
  • Consider Dedicated IPs: Consider a dedicated IP for high-volume sending with good reputation.
  • Set Up Feedback Loops: Establish feedback loops to identify and address spam complaints.
  • IP Warming: If using a new IP, gradually increase sending volume.
  • Demand Transparency: Consider switching ESPs if they don't provide sufficient transparency (e.g., rejection messages).
  • Escalate Issues: Escalate persistent issues with Microsoft support, providing details like 'd=' and selector values.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Emails sent via Mailchimp might not reach Microsoft inboxes due to various factors, including Microsoft's complex filtering system, reputation issues (IP or domain), email content triggering spam filters, and poor list hygiene. Microsoft sometimes "vanishes" emails after initial acceptance, and its filtering relies heavily on sender reputation. Senders should check spam folders, request ESP mitigation, maintain clean email lists, use targeted content, monitor IP reputation, consider dedicated IPs, and set up feedback loops.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Matters: Microsoft heavily relies on sender reputation (IP and domain). Poor reputation may lead to blocked emails.
  • Content Triggers: Email content (spam trigger words, excessive links, large images) can trigger spam filters.
  • List Hygiene: Poor list hygiene (inactive or invalid email addresses) negatively impacts deliverability.
  • Microsoft's Filtering: Microsoft's filtering system can be complex and might block emails even after initial acceptance.
  • Vanishing Emails: Microsoft may accept emails but then effectively discard them.

Key considerations

  • Check Spam Folders: Recipients should always check their spam/junk folders first.
  • ESP Mitigation: Request your Email Service Provider (ESP) to mitigate reputation issues with Microsoft.
  • Clean Email Lists: Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or invalid addresses.
  • Targeted Content: Segment your email lists and send targeted, relevant content to improve engagement.
  • Monitor IP Reputation: Monitor your IP reputation using tools like Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS).
  • Dedicated IPs: Consider using a dedicated IP address, especially with high email volume.
  • Feedback Loops: Set up feedback loops with Microsoft to identify and address deliverability issues based on spam complaints.
  • IP Warming: Gradually increase email volume when using a new IP address to build reputation (IP warming).
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester shares that setting up feedback loops with Microsoft can help identify and address deliverability issues. Feedback loops provide information about spam complaints from recipients.

August 2023 - EmailToolTester
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet suggests gradually increasing email volume when using a new IP address (IP warming) to establish a good sending reputation with Microsoft.

April 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that email content can trigger spam filters. Avoid using spam trigger words, excessive links, or large images. Ensure the email content is relevant and engaging.

August 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests that the first step is to check the recipient's spam or junk folder. Sometimes, emails are filtered there due to aggressive spam filters.

December 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange suggests that the IP address used by Mailchimp might have a poor reputation with Microsoft. Microsoft could be blocking emails from that IP due to past spam activity.

February 2022 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Microsoft is known for "vanishing" emails after accepting them.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks states that emails may be delivered into the junk folder, and that you can ask the ESP to try and mitigate the reputation issues with Microsoft.

September 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendgrid shares that using a dedicated IP address helps in building a positive reputation with ISPs, including Microsoft, by ensuring that only the sender's email traffic is associated with that IP.

June 2021 - Sendgrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass shares that segmenting email lists and sending targeted emails can improve engagement and deliverability. Sending relevant content to specific groups of recipients reduces the likelihood of spam complaints.

November 2023 - Gmass
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that this is a pattern that is seen with MS, especially with reputation issues and you can request that your ESP try to mitigate the issue with MS.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that poor list hygiene can lead to deliverability issues. Regularly cleaning the email list by removing inactive or invalid email addresses can improve sending reputation.

November 2024 - Email on Acid

What the experts say
7Expert opinions

Microsoft's email filtering system is complex and relies heavily on sender reputation. Emails sent via Mailchimp may be blocked even if they initially pass checks, and Microsoft sometimes accepts emails only to discard them later. Switching ESPs might not resolve the problem if the core issue is domain-based reputation. ESPs generally do not allow direct contact with Microsoft about shared IPs, though you can open a ticket. Monitoring sender reputation, ensuring high-quality content, and escalating issues with Microsoft are crucial. If an ESP cannot provide rejection messages, consider switching.

Key opinions

  • Microsoft's Filtering Complexity: Microsoft's filtering system is complex and can block emails even after initial checks.
  • Sender Reputation is Key: Microsoft heavily relies on sender reputation for deliverability.
  • Vanishing Emails: Microsoft sometimes accepts emails only to discard them later.
  • Domain Reputation Matters: If the problem is domain-based reputation, changing ESPs may not help.
  • Limited ESP Cooperation: ESPs are unlikely to allow direct contact with Microsoft about shared IPs but can provide the IPs to make your own ticket.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Sender Reputation: Actively monitor your sender reputation to identify and address issues.
  • High-Quality Content: Ensure your email content is high quality and relevant to recipients.
  • Escalate Issues: Escalate deliverability issues with Microsoft and emphasize emails disappearing after acceptance, providing relevant data like 'd=' and selector values.
  • Demand Rejection Messages: If your ESP cannot provide rejection messages upon request, consider switching to a different ESP.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks notes that Microsoft sometimes accepts emails but then effectively discards them, causing them to disappear.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states that if an ESP cannot provide a rejection message upon request, it's time to consider switching to a different ESP.

July 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks cautions that if the core issue is the client's reputation, simply changing ESPs might not resolve the problem, as the issues could be domain-based reputation problems.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advises escalating issues with Microsoft and emphasizing the problem of emails disappearing after acceptance. They recommend including the 'd=' value and selector value in communications.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that Microsoft heavily relies on sender reputation. New IPs or domains, or those with low engagement, may face deliverability challenges. Building a positive reputation with consistent sending practices and good content is crucial for reaching Microsoft inboxes.

June 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that ESPs are unlikely to allow direct contact with Microsoft about shared IPs due to the involvement of multiple senders' email data. However they do say you can open a ticket with MS with mailchimp's shared IPs.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Microsoft's filtering is complex and can sometimes block emails even if they pass initial checks. They suggest monitoring your sender reputation and ensuring your email content is high quality and relevant to the recipient.

June 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Emails may not reach Microsoft accounts due to being blocked, requiring recipients to check their blocked senders list. Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM) is crucial. Adhering to Outlook.com's policies and maintaining a good sending reputation are essential. Using a dedicated IP can improve deliverability for high-volume senders. Utilizing Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) helps monitor IP reputation and identify issues.

Key findings

  • Blocked Senders: Emails may be blocked if the sender or domain is on the recipient's blocked senders list.
  • Authentication Matters: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM) improves deliverability.
  • Outlook.com Policies: Following Outlook.com's policies and guidelines is essential for deliverability.
  • Dedicated IPs Help: Using a dedicated IP address can improve deliverability for high-volume senders with good reputations.
  • SNDS Monitoring: Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) helps monitor IP reputation.

Key considerations

  • Check Blocked Lists: Recipients should check their blocked senders lists.
  • Configure Authentication: Ensure SPF and DKIM are properly configured.
  • Adhere to Policies: Adhere to Outlook.com's sending policies and best practices.
  • Consider Dedicated IP: Consider using a dedicated IP if sending high volumes of email.
  • Utilize SNDS: Use Microsoft's SNDS to monitor your IP reputation and identify deliverability issues.
Technical article

Documentation from Mailchimp shares that email authentication methods like SPF and DKIM are properly set up to improve deliverability. Mailchimp provides instructions on how to configure these settings.

May 2023 - Mailchimp
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that using Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) allows senders to monitor their IP reputation and identify potential issues affecting deliverability to Microsoft accounts.

March 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Support explains that senders should adhere to Outlook.com's policies, practices, and guidelines to ensure emails are delivered. This includes maintaining a good sending reputation and following best practices for email marketing.

November 2022 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from Mailchimp explains that using a dedicated IP address can improve email deliverability, especially if the sender has a high email volume and a good sending reputation.

March 2021 - Mailchimp
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Support explains that if a sender or domain is blocked, emails will not be delivered to the inbox. The recipient needs to check their blocked senders list and remove the sender if necessary.

February 2022 - Microsoft Support