Why are my emails to Apple iCloud, me.com, or private relay soft bouncing with a 'domain not found' error?

Email marketer from Stack Overflow suggests that a 'domain not found' error can occur if the MX records for the recipient's domain are missing or misconfigured. The sender's server can't find where to deliver the email.

Email marketer from SuperOffice recommends using email deliverability testing tools to check DNS records and configurations. These tests can identify problems that might cause 'domain not found' errors.

Email marketer from SparkPost explains that temporary DNS server issues can result in transient 'domain not found' errors. Retrying the email send after a short period may resolve the problem.

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that a 'domain not found' error means the mail server couldn't locate the recipient's domain. Possible causes include DNS issues on the sender's or recipient's side, or the domain may not exist.

Email marketer from Litmus states that poor sender reputation can sometimes lead to emails being rejected with a 'domain not found' type of error, even if the domain is valid. Maintaining a good sender reputation is key.

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that incorrect or missing DNS records, especially MX records, are a primary reason for 'domain not found' errors. The sending server relies on these records to route emails correctly.

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum suggests that simple typos in the recipient's email address (particularly the domain part) can cause 'domain not found' errors. Double-checking the address is crucial.

Email marketer from SendGrid explains that recently updated DNS records can experience propagation delays. If changes to MX, SPF, or DKIM records have been made, it can take time for the updates to be reflected across the internet, leading to temporary 'domain not found' issues.

Email marketer from Reddit suggests verifying that the sender's domain has proper SPF and DKIM records set up. Problems with these configurations can lead to deliverability issues and bouncebacks, particularly with stricter email providers.

Email marketer from GMass advises that sending emails to old or invalid email addresses (which might no longer have valid domains) can lead to 'domain not found' errors. Cleaning email lists regularly is crucial.

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that the lack of A/MX records on the sending domain is the likely cause of the delivery failures to Apple.

Expert from Email Geeks explains that Apple might be rejecting emails because the 5322.from address (likely a CNAME to Sendgrid) lacks MX and A records, which is also a recommended practice to refuse mail.

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, explains that bounce messages might not always be accurate, and to investigate bounce reasons thoroughly. They also mention that greylisting, temporary rejections, and domain typos can lead to bounces and that sender reputation plays a crucial role.

Documentation from IANA details the DNS structure, explaining that the system is hierarchical and depends on properly configured DNS records for domains to be found. Incorrect or missing configurations will lead to resolution failures.

Documentation from RFC Editor defines SMTP error codes. A 'domain not found' error, represented by a 5xx SMTP code, indicates a permanent failure because the domain does not exist or DNS lookup failed.

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help states that a 'domain not found' error suggests issues with the recipient domain's DNS configuration. The sender's mail server can't resolve the domain name to an IP address.

Documentation from Microsoft Support suggests the error could be due to a temporary issue with the recipient's mail server. It recommends resending the message after a short delay.

Documentation from Apple Support suggests a 'domain not found' error indicates the recipient's domain isn't properly set up. The sender should verify the recipient's email address and try again.