Why are my emails suddenly going to spam in Outlook and Hotmail?

Summary

Emails suddenly landing in Outlook and Hotmail spam folders can be attributed to a combination of factors. These include: a decline in sender reputation (which you can monitor using tools like SNDS), a sudden increase in spam complaints, changes in engagement rates, content triggering spam filters (including specific words/phrases and poor formatting), and inadequate or missing email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Policy changes implemented by Microsoft can also play a significant role. It's crucial to maintain a clean and engaged email list, regularly check sender reputation, adhere to best practices for email content, and properly authenticate your emails to prevent deliverability issues.

Key findings

  • Sender Reputation: A sudden drop in sender reputation is a primary cause for emails going to spam. Use tools like SNDS to monitor it.
  • Engagement and Complaints: Outlook/Hotmail evaluates deliverability based on engagement rates and spam complaints. Low engagement and high complaint rates negatively impact deliverability.
  • Email Authentication: Lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) makes it easier for emails to be flagged as spam.
  • Content Triggers: Using spam trigger words, poor HTML coding, broken links, or excessively large images in email content can trigger spam filters.
  • List Hygiene: Sending to unengaged contacts and not maintaining a clean email list can negatively impact sender reputation and lead to spam filtering.
  • Policy Changes: Microsoft's policy changes in spam filtering can cause sudden shifts in deliverability.
  • IP Blocklists: Sender's IP address being on a blocklist can cause emails to be marked as spam.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Reputation Tools: Regularly check your sender reputation using Microsoft's SNDS tool and other sender score websites.
  • Implement Authentication Protocols: Ensure that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are properly configured for your sending domain.
  • Avoid Spam Triggers: Review your email content and avoid using spam trigger words or phrases. Use a spam checker before sending.
  • Clean and Segment Email Lists: Regularly clean your email list by removing inactive subscribers and segment your audience for more relevant content.
  • Content Analysis: Check your email content for potential triggers and that it is not misleading to the recipient
  • Engage with SNDS: If issues persist, register with Microsoft SNDS and engage with their support team to potentially get unblocked.
  • Review Volume changes: Be conscious of any change in volume and avoid sudden large volume campaigns.
  • Analyse Headers: Analyse the headers to identify the cause, such as reputation or SmartScreen issues, using the message analyzer tool.

What email marketers say
14Marketer opinions

Emails suddenly landing in Outlook and Hotmail spam folders can stem from various factors, including changes in sender reputation, engagement rates, spam complaints, content triggers, and email authentication. Experts recommend monitoring sender reputation through tools like SNDS, ensuring proper authentication with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, avoiding spam trigger words and poor email formatting, and maintaining a clean and engaged email list. Policy changes at mailbox providers can also lead to sudden shifts in spam filtering.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Impact: A sudden drop in sender reputation with Microsoft can cause emails to be filtered as spam. Monitor your reputation using tools like SNDS.
  • Engagement Matters: Outlook/Hotmail measures deliverability based on engagement rates and spam complaints. Low engagement can negatively impact deliverability.
  • Authentication is Key: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for avoiding spam filters. Implement these records to improve sender verification.
  • Content Triggers: Certain words, phrases, and poor email formatting can trigger spam filters. Avoid spam trigger words and ensure clean HTML coding.
  • Policy Changes: Mailbox providers like Microsoft can change their spam filtering policies, leading to sudden deliverability issues.
  • List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list is essential. Remove inactive subscribers and avoid sending to purchased lists.

Key considerations

  • Monitor SNDS: Regularly check Microsoft's SNDS tool to monitor your sender reputation and identify potential issues.
  • Review Authentication: Verify that your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured and up-to-date.
  • Evaluate Content: Review your email content for spam trigger words and poor formatting. Use a spam checker before sending.
  • Segment Audience: Segment your audience and send relevant content to improve engagement rates.
  • Clean List Regularly: Remove inactive subscribers and avoid sending to unengaged contacts to maintain a healthy email list.
  • Investigate Header Analysis: If the cause is unknown, Analyze the headers to identify the cause, such as reputation or SmartScreen issues, using the message analyzer tool.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that sudden spam filtering can occur due to changes in email content or sending practices triggering spam filters, even if previous campaigns were unaffected. They recommend checking for recent changes and reviewing content for potential triggers.

July 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from HubSpot explains that common reasons for emails going to spam include poor sender reputation, low engagement rates, spam trigger words, lack of email authentication, and sending to purchased lists. They suggest focusing on building a clean, engaged email list and following best practices for email content and sending.

September 2023 - HubSpot
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel shares that consistently providing valuable content, segmenting your audience, and cleaning your email list regularly can improve deliverability. Sending irrelevant content or emailing inactive subscribers can negatively impact your sender reputation.

July 2024 - Neil Patel
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that Hotmail may be using more aggressive spam filtering and suggests implementing SPF records to improve sender authentication and avoid being flagged as spam.

May 2022 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that sender reputation, spam complaints, engagement rates, and email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) significantly impact deliverability. A sudden drop in engagement or a spike in spam complaints can cause emails to land in the spam folder.

April 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares that certain words and phrases commonly used in spam emails, as well as poor HTML coding, broken links, and large image sizes, can trigger spam filters. It recommends testing emails with a spam checker before sending.

October 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that Outlook/Hotmail measures deliverability by engagement and spam complaints versus send volume and suggests checking engagement at Microsoft-managed domains.

July 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests registering for SNDS to potentially get unblocked after support interactions.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks recommends analyzing the headers to identify the cause, such as reputation or SmartScreen issues, using the message analyzer tool.

July 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares that factors like sender reputation, authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and engagement rates significantly impact email deliverability. They suggest that a sudden increase in spam complaints or a drop in sender reputation can cause emails to be filtered as spam.

April 2022 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeek.net suggests checking your sender reputation by utilising sender score websites, and ensuring proper email authentication practices like SPF and DKIM.

May 2023 - EmailGeek.net
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks says that hitting a spam trap can cause this issue and SNDS will tell you if you did.

January 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendinblue explains that improving email deliverability requires focusing on building a positive sender reputation by authenticating your emails (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), engaging with your subscribers, and avoiding spam trigger words. Also, they suggest to monitor your sender score and take action to improve it if it's low.

December 2024 - Sendinblue
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests checking if your IPs are on any blacklists.

March 2022 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Sudden deliverability issues with Outlook and Hotmail often stem from policy changes implemented by Microsoft, focusing on stricter authentication, engagement, and content rules. Maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial, as a sudden drop can lead to emails being flagged as spam. Tools like Microsoft's SNDS are essential for monitoring sender reputation and identifying potential problems.

Key opinions

  • Policy Changes: Microsoft frequently updates its spam filtering policies, impacting email deliverability.
  • Reputation Matters: A drop in sender reputation directly correlates with increased spam filtering by Outlook/Hotmail.
  • SNDS Tool: Microsoft's SNDS tool is crucial for monitoring sender reputation with Outlook/Hotmail.

Key considerations

  • Stay Informed: Monitor Microsoft's documentation and tools for policy changes impacting deliverability.
  • Monitor Reputation: Regularly check your sender reputation using SNDS to identify and address any issues.
  • Review Authentication: Ensure your email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is properly configured to meet Microsoft's requirements.
  • Focus on Engagement: Improve email engagement to demonstrate positive sender behavior to Microsoft.
Expert view

Expert from SpamResource explains the importance of maintaining your sender reputation. If your reputation has dropped suddenly with Outlook/Hotmail (Microsoft), they are more likely to send your mail to the spam folder. You can check this via their SNDS tool.

March 2023 - SpamResource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that sudden shifts in spam filtering often result from policy changes at mailbox providers like Microsoft. Understanding specific changes requires digging into their documentation and tools, but generally involve tightening rules around authentication, engagement, and content.

August 2023 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Emails suddenly being marked as spam in Outlook and Hotmail can be attributed to several factors outlined in documentation from Microsoft, SparkPost, Google, RFC and DKIM. These include the sender's IP on a blocklist, email content triggering spam filters, recipients marking emails as junk, changes in sending volume, and infrastructure issues. Maintaining a positive sender reputation, proper email authentication (SPF and DKIM), monitoring bounce rates, feedback loops, spam rates, and following best practices for email content are crucial for preventing deliverability problems.

Key findings

  • Blocklist Impact: A sender's IP address being on a blocklist can cause emails to be marked as junk.
  • Content Triggers: Email content can trigger spam filters, leading to deliverability issues.
  • User Feedback: Recipients marking emails as junk contributes to emails being filtered as spam.
  • Volume Changes: Changes in sending volume can trigger temporary deliverability issues.
  • Infrastructure Problems: Infrastructure problems can also affect email deliverability.
  • SPF Prevents Forgery: SPF records prevent sender address forgery, improving deliverability.
  • DKIM Adds Signature: DKIM adds a digital signature, verifying the sender and message integrity.

Key considerations

  • Check Reputation: Regularly check sender reputation to identify and address potential issues.
  • Monitor Metrics: Monitor bounce rates, feedback loops, and spam rates to identify root causes.
  • Follow Best Practices: Follow best practices for email content to avoid triggering spam filters.
  • Implement Authentication: Implement and maintain SPF and DKIM records for proper email authentication.
  • Use Postmaster Tools: Leverage tools like Google Postmaster Tools to diagnose and resolve deliverability issues.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains that SPF records prevent sender address forgery. By publishing SPF records, domain owners can specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on their behalf, helping to prevent spammers from using their domain to send unsolicited messages.

November 2024 - RFC
Technical article

Documentation from DKIM explains that DKIM adds a digital signature to email messages, allowing recipients to verify that the message was sent by the authorized domain owner and has not been tampered with during transit. This helps improve email authentication and deliverability.

November 2023 - DKIM.org
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that temporary deliverability issues can arise from changes in sending volume, content updates triggering filters, or infrastructure problems. It suggests monitoring bounce rates, feedback loops, and blocklist status to identify and address the root cause.

September 2022 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that using their tools can help identify deliverability issues. Specifically they suggest monitoring sender reputation, spam rates, and feedback loops to maintain good sending practices, and suggests that a sudden increase in spam complaints or a drop in sender reputation can cause emails to be filtered as spam.

November 2021 - Google Postmaster Tools
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Support explains that emails can be marked as junk due to various factors, including the sender's IP address being on a blocklist, the content of the email triggering spam filters, or the recipient marking the email as junk. They recommend checking sender reputation and following best practices for email content.

August 2024 - Microsoft Support

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