Why are Hotmail open rates declining and what is the solution?
Summary
What email marketers say13Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Reddit shares that declining open rates for Hotmail could be due to changes in Microsoft's filtering algorithms, recommending checking sender reputation and ensuring emails are properly authenticated. They suggest segmenting Hotmail users and sending them targeted content.
Email marketer from Sendinblue responds that factors impacting Hotmail open rates include sender reputation, email authentication, engagement, and spam complaints. Low engagement and high spam complaints can negatively impact deliverability.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that to improve email deliverability to Hotmail, it's important to authenticate your emails (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintain a clean email list, monitor your sender reputation, and engage with your subscribers.
Email marketer from GlockApps responds that Microsoft's junk mail filter considers many factors, including the sender's IP address and domain reputation, the content of the email, and the recipient's engagement history. They recommend monitoring your reputation and testing your emails to see how they're classified.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum mentions that deliverability problems with Outlook often stem from spam complaints and low engagement rates. They recommend cleaning your list and focusing on re-engaging inactive subscribers.
Email marketer from Gmass explains that Outlook’s aggressive spam filtering affects open rates. Solutions include using a dedicated IP address, warming up your IP, and consistently monitoring feedback loops.
Email marketer from Litmus shares that implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC email authentication methods can significantly improve email deliverability by verifying the sender's identity and preventing spoofing.
Email marketer from SuperOffice Blog explains that deliverability issues with Hotmail can be caused by low sender reputation, poor list hygiene, spam content, and incorrect authentication.
Email marketer from Email Geeks agrees that even good senders struggle with Microsoft deliverability.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Microsoft (Hotmail) is getting stricter and advises clients to only target active users from the past 15 days.
Email marketer from ZeroBounce shares that establishing and maintaining a solid sender reputation is crucial for email deliverability and helps ensure that your emails reach the intended recipients' inboxes. It can be achieved by using consistent sending practices, authenticating your emails, and avoiding spam traps.
Email marketer from Email Geeks responds that Hotmail has been a challenge, and considers targeting users active in the past 15 days for a few customers.
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that only targeting hotmail users who have been engaged in the past 15 days helps improve open rates, although it may take time to build reputation.
What the experts say2Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that engaging directly with Microsoft through their SNDS program and JMRP feedback loops provides valuable insights into deliverability issues and allows for proactive problem-solving. Understanding and responding to the data they provide is crucial.
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that authenticating your email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential for establishing trust with Microsoft. Also using their feedback loops can help you monitor spam complaints and identify potential issues.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from SparkPost explains that Microsoft uses a complex algorithm to filter email, and key factors for deliverability include authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), sender reputation, list hygiene, and engagement. Senders should actively manage their reputation and list quality to ensure optimal deliverability.
Documentation from RFC explains that DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) allows senders to digitally sign their email messages, providing a mechanism for recipients to verify the authenticity of the sender and the integrity of the message content.
Documentation from Microsoft Support shares that Outlook.com delivery issues can arise from various factors, including IP address reputation, content filtering, and user feedback. Solutions include monitoring your IP reputation, ensuring proper email authentication, and providing users with easy ways to unsubscribe.
Documentation from Microsoft Postmaster explains that to improve deliverability to Outlook.com, senders should implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication, monitor their sender reputation using the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) program, and follow best practices for email content and list management.
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) is an email authentication protocol that builds upon SPF and DKIM to provide a framework for email senders and receivers to cooperate and improve email security.