Why are Microsoft complaint rates increasing and how to resolve Microsoft delivery issues?

Email marketer from Reddit shares that high complaint rates on Microsoft domains often stem from sending unsolicited email, failing to honor unsubscribe requests, or sending irrelevant content. Improving deliverability involves obtaining explicit consent from recipients, providing clear and easy unsubscribe options, and tailoring email content to match subscriber interests.

Email marketer from Validity explains that maintaining a clean and engaged email list is crucial for avoiding deliverability issues with Microsoft. High complaint rates are often a result of sending to inactive or uninterested recipients. Regularly cleaning your list by removing unengaged subscribers and validating email addresses can significantly improve sender reputation and inbox placement.

Email marketer from StackOverflow answers that if emails are reaching the inbox but have low open rates, it might indicate issues with subject lines or content. It is important to ensure that subject lines are engaging and relevant, and the email content provides value to the recipient. A/B testing different subject lines and content variations can help identify what resonates best with subscribers and improve engagement metrics.

Email marketer from Litmus explains that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for establishing sender legitimacy and improving deliverability to Microsoft domains. Authentication helps prevent spoofing and phishing attacks, which can negatively impact sender reputation and lead to increased complaint rates. Regular monitoring of authentication records and alignment with best practices is important.

Email marketer from GMass explains that If you're sending a high volume of emails from a new IP address, it's important to warm up your IP address gradually. This involves starting with a small volume of emails and gradually increasing it over time. This helps establish a positive sending reputation with Microsoft and other email providers.

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that Microsoft's aggressive filtering, along with changes in user behavior and MPP can contribute to deliverability challenges. Solutions include authenticating your email, managing your sender reputation, and optimizing email content.

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that focusing on providing value to subscribers is key to improving deliverability. Avoid using spam trigger words in your subject lines and email body, personalize content based on subscriber preferences, and test your email content across different email clients to ensure optimal rendering. Positive engagement from subscribers can significantly reduce complaint rates.

Email marketer from Microsoft explains that several factors influence deliverability to Outlook.com, including sender reputation, content quality, and recipient engagement. Increased complaints can stem from poor list hygiene, irrelevant content, or changes in Microsoft's filtering algorithms. Resolving delivery issues involves improving sender reputation through authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitoring complaint rates, and adjusting sending practices to align with recipient preferences.

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that dropping "dead" addresses was a priority, but the blocks interfered with the "have they engaged recently?" approach, pushing last opens and clicks further into the past.

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares their experience of dealing with Microsoft delivery issues which manifested as low delivery rates and later low open rates. Matt reduced volume, moved sending to Sailthru, cleaned up data (including identifying spam traps via personalized subject lines and typo domains). He mentions open rates for MS domains tend to be a little bit worse and that he assumes some MS domains are iCloud users in Apple Mail and potentially subject to MPP. He suggests validating/cleansing user input and constant monitoring.

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that personalizing email content based on subscriber data and preferences can significantly improve engagement and reduce complaint rates. Sending relevant and targeted emails increases the likelihood that recipients will find your messages valuable, reducing the chances of them marking your emails as spam.

Expert from Word to the Wise responds about Microsoft deliverability and mentions how they use data to determine deliverability, so make sure you aren't sending spam content, getting blacklisted, and ensure subscribers are highly engaged.

Expert from Spam Resource explains that understanding Microsoft's SmartScreen filter is key. Microsoft uses user feedback and engagement data to determine email reputation. Increased complaint rates can directly impact your sender reputation, leading to deliverability issues. Solving this requires focusing on sending emails that recipients find valuable and engaging.

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Microsoft's filters are aggressive. She advises sending to folks who are opening the emails and doing it consistently. She mentions a client who sent to a small portion of their list for over 3 months and eventually added back more addresses, resulting in more opens than before, even with fewer addresses.

Expert from Email Geeks shares that she has seen discussion around increased Microsoft complaint rates, with one client reporting zero decrease even after removing complainers and also shares that she is unsure of the cause.

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Apple's Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) won't affect the ML-based filters at Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo because ISPs don't have sufficient insight into what happens when mail is read through IMAP. The mailbox provider clients are instrumented to capture that data.

Documentation from SparkPost explains that maintaining good list hygiene, authenticating email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, monitoring sender reputation through Microsoft's SNDS, and segmenting email lists to target engaged recipients are crucial steps in ensuring delivery to Microsoft inboxes. High complaint rates often indicate issues with list quality or content relevance and require immediate attention.

Documentation from RFC Editor explains that implementing SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records is essential for email authentication. SPF helps verify that sending servers are authorized to send email on behalf of a domain, reducing the risk of spoofing and phishing attacks. Properly configured SPF records can improve sender reputation and increase deliverability to Microsoft inboxes by reducing complaint rates.

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is crucial for protecting your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks. DMARC allows you to specify how email receivers should handle messages that fail SPF and DKIM authentication. Implementing a DMARC policy can improve sender reputation and reduce the risk of your emails being marked as spam.

Documentation from Microsoft explains that the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) program allows senders to monitor their IP reputation and complaint rates within the Microsoft network. Increased complaint rates visible through SNDS can indicate deliverability problems. Resolving this involves identifying the causes of complaints, such as spam traps or disengaged recipients, and taking corrective actions, such as improving list hygiene and content relevance.