Why are my emails to Microsoft domains being blocked and how can I resolve it?

Summary

Emails to Microsoft domains can be blocked for a multitude of reasons. These include Spamhaus listings, caching issues, and problems specific to Microsoft's filtering systems. Key causes are poor IP/domain reputation, high spam complaint rates, authentication failures (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and spam-like content. Microsoft's filtering is often strict and erratic, sometimes even affecting their own emails. Solutions involve using Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP to monitor reputation, ensuring proper authentication, maintaining clean email lists, warming up new IPs, and even altering email formats. Resolving these issues often requires persistence and clear communication with Microsoft support.

Key findings

  • Multiple Causes: Email blocking by Microsoft stems from various factors, ranging from external listings to internal filtering issues.
  • Reputation Matters: IP and domain reputation are crucial determinants of deliverability to Microsoft domains.
  • Authentication is Key: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for avoiding blocks.
  • Microsoft's Tools: Microsoft provides SNDS and JMRP services to monitor IP reputation and user-reported spam.
  • Strict Filtering: Microsoft's email filtering is known for being strict and sometimes overly aggressive.
  • Internal Issues Exist: Microsoft themselves acknowledge flaws in their email filtering systems.
  • Persistence Pays: Resolving these problems can require persistent effort and clear communication with Microsoft support.

Key considerations

  • Check HELO and Blacklists: Verify that your HELO domain and IP are not listed on Spamhaus or other blacklists.
  • Implement Authentication: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails.
  • Monitor SNDS/JMRP: Use Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP tools to monitor your sending reputation and spam complaints.
  • Clean Email Lists Regularly: Remove invalid or inactive email addresses from your lists.
  • Warm-Up New IPs: Gradually increase email volume when using new IPs or domains.
  • Review Email Content: Avoid using spam trigger words or phrases in your email content.
  • Escalate Issues: File tickets with Microsoft support and follow up persistently with clear communication.
  • Monitor Feedback Loops: Monitor feedback loops to understand deliverability issues and user engagement.
  • Consider Formatting: In some instances, switching from HTML to plain text emails may improve deliverability.

What email marketers say
14Marketer opinions

Emails to Microsoft domains can be blocked for various reasons, including issues with HELO domain listings, caching problems, and problems specific to Microsoft's filtering. Poor IP/domain reputation, spam complaints, authentication issues (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and content that triggers spam filters are common causes. Solutions involve checking blacklists, ensuring proper authentication, cleaning email lists, monitoring sender reputation using Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP tools, warming up new IPs, and possibly adjusting email formats from HTML to plain text. Microsoft's filtering is known to be strict and sometimes aggressive, requiring adherence to best practices and constant monitoring.

Key opinions

  • HELO Domain: The HELO domain being listed in Spamhaus can cause blocking; however, caching issues can occur even after delisting.
  • Microsoft-Specific Issues: Problems may stem from Microsoft's internal filtering, which can be challenging to diagnose and resolve.
  • Reputation: Poor IP and domain reputation are significant factors influencing deliverability to Microsoft domains.
  • Authentication: Lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is a major cause of blocked emails.
  • Content: Spam triggers within the email content can lead to deliverability issues.
  • SNDS & JMRP: Microsoft provides tools (SNDS and JMRP) to monitor IP reputation and junk mail reporting.
  • Aggressive Filtering: Microsoft's filtering can be overly aggressive, requiring vigilant monitoring and adherence to best practices.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Reputation: Regularly check your sender reputation using SNDS and JMRP to identify and address issues.
  • Authenticate Emails: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails and improve deliverability.
  • Clean Email Lists: Remove inactive or invalid email addresses to reduce bounce rates and improve sender reputation.
  • Warm-Up IPs: If using new IPs or domains, gradually increase sending volume to establish a positive reputation.
  • Content Review: Avoid spam trigger words and phrases in your email content to prevent filtering.
  • Contact Microsoft: Escalate issues with Microsoft support, providing detailed information about your setup and troubleshooting steps.
  • Monitor Feedback Loops: Monitor feedback loops to understand deliverability issues.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that emails are getting flagged due to aggressive filtering by Microsoft and encourages senders to follow best practices, monitor their reputation, and use feedback loops.

May 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Web Hosting Talk shares that they had experienced issues when sending HTML formatted emails to Outlook. They solved this by changing the email format from HTML to plain text.

August 2021 - Web Hosting Talk
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass shares that your email can get blocked by Outlook due to too many recipients in a single email, too many emails sent in a short period, or sending to invalid email addresses.

November 2022 - GMass
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks advises escalating the ticket with Microsoft and explaining that the domain is not listed, after confirming caching issues are rare.

March 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester explains that to fix deliverability with Microsoft you must set up authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitor your sender reputation via SNDS and JMRP and ensure your content adheres to their guidelines. Consistent email volume is also important.

August 2022 - EmailToolTester
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that Hotmail is notorious for blocking IPs if they detect any spam-like behavior. Ensuring proper email authentication and maintaining a clean sending reputation are critical. If you are new IP/Domain you have to 'warm it up'.

February 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that if the problem is only occurring when sending to Microsoft, the issue is likely specific to them and offers to check the domains.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests the issue could be a caching problem where the domain was previously listed but has since been delisted, but Microsoft might still be using cached data.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that strategies to improve your deliverability include authenticating email with SPF, DKIM and DMARC. Also clean your lists regularly to remove inactive users and monitor feedback loops to understand deliverability issues.

March 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the SMTP response indicates the HELO domain is listed in SpamHaus, and Microsoft support is not needed.

November 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost shares that Microsoft could be blocking your emails because of poor IP/domain reputation, high spam complaint rates, low engagement, or authentication issues.

November 2023 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that nothing has ever been listed, the reputation of IPs and domains are all good and there are no issues. She also says that if this is only happening with MS it is suggestive of an issue on their side but it is hard to get them to admit it.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Digital Ocean explains that it's important to check IP address against blacklists, set a valid hostname, use a dedicated IP address, and use double opt-in to improve deliverability. Also important to be aware of sending reputation.

May 2022 - Digital Ocean
Marketer view

Email marketer from Sendgrid shares that emails can go to the junk folder because of factors like spam triggers in the content, lack of authentication, low sender reputation, and recipient engagement.

July 2021 - Sendgrid

What the experts say
9Expert opinions

Microsoft email deliverability issues are a recurring problem, sometimes resolving quickly, other times requiring persistent effort and escalation. Microsoft's own filtering can be strict and erratic, even affecting their own emails. Experts recommend using Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP to monitor IP reputation and address issues. It's crucial to file tickets, be persistent, and communicate clearly. While Microsoft's email system is described as challenging and potentially undervalued internally, following best practices and maintaining a positive sender reputation remain essential.

Key opinions

  • Inconsistent Resolution: Microsoft blocking issues can sometimes resolve quickly, while others require more intervention.
  • Internal Issues: Microsoft's own email filtering is flawed, affecting even their own emails and internal communication.
  • SNDS/JMRP Importance: Using Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP services is crucial for monitoring IP reputation.
  • Persistence Required: Resolving Microsoft deliverability issues often requires persistence and clear communication.
  • Strict Filtering: Microsoft's email filtering is often described as very strict and requiring adherence to best practices.

Key considerations

  • File Tickets: Submit tickets to Microsoft support and be prepared to follow up persistently.
  • Monitor SNDS/JMRP: Actively monitor your IP reputation using Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP tools.
  • Clear Communication: Communicate clearly and concisely when interacting with Microsoft support.
  • Best Practices: Adhere to all email deliverability best practices, including authentication, list hygiene, and engaging content.
  • Monitor Filters: Continuously monitor and adapt to changes in Microsoft's email filtering practices.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that you need to be persistent, use small words, make a clear ask and you can usually find someone who will help. You just need to be persistent and keep asking the same thing over and over.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Microsoft provides SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) which is a free service that helps monitor sending IP reputation. It provides data to help diagnose deliverability issues specific to Microsoft.

April 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states that Microsoft seems to have just decided email is not important. She also added that she is pointing out to Microsoft that their mail system is currently mailing out duplicate messages 12 hours apart and that it's a trainwreck for email over there.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that "if even Microsoft can't make their filters put their mail in the inbox ... ain't no one gonna do it".

July 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise addresses the challenges of Microsoft deliverability. They recommend using Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP programs to monitor your sending reputation and understand if your emails are being marked as spam. Also keep in mind that Microsoft's filtering is constantly evolving, so staying vigilant is crucial.

July 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that he's seen the issue from MS before, sometimes it resolves in a couple hours, other times help is needed to nudge them to look into it.

September 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource notes that Microsoft email filtering can be strict, and senders need to follow all best practices, including authentication, list hygiene, and engaging content. Sender reputation is key.

February 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that Outlook has a long history of junking other MSFT mail and there is a lot of history on why.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests filing a ticket and pointing out that you've talked to Spamhaus and the error message appears to be incorrect.

January 2025 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Microsoft's documentation indicates that emails to Outlook.com may be blocked due to the sender's IP being blacklisted, user spam reports, or content being flagged as spam. Microsoft offers SNDS and JMRP programs to monitor IP reputation and track junk mail reports, helping senders identify and address deliverability issues.

Key findings

  • Blocking Reasons: Emails are blocked due to IP blacklisting, spam reports, or content-based spam filtering.
  • SNDS Tool: SNDS monitors the health and reputation of sending IP addresses.
  • JMRP Tool: JMRP tracks when users mark emails as junk.

Key considerations

  • Check IP Status: Ensure your sending IP isn't blacklisted.
  • Content Review: Check email content for spam triggers.
  • Implement SNDS: Use SNDS to monitor IP reputation and track spam complaints.
  • Implement JMRP: Use JMRP to identify and address issues reported by users.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Support explains that emails might be blocked by Outlook.com due to sender IP address being blocked, reported as spam by users, or due to content filtering if the email is considered spam-like.

July 2023 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft JMRP explains that the Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) helps you monitor when Outlook.com users mark your email as junk, allowing you to identify and address potential issues.

July 2024 - Microsoft JMRP
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft SNDS explains that using the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) program you can monitor the health and reputation of your sending IP addresses with Microsoft, and provides data about spam complaints.

March 2023 - Microsoft SNDS