Why are Sendgrid verification emails blocked by Mimecast when project invites are not?

Summary

Sendgrid verification emails might be blocked by Mimecast while project invites are not due to a complex interplay of factors impacting sender reputation and email filtering. Key issues include different envelope froms, sender reputation problems, the content of verification emails triggering filters, DKIM and SPF misconfigurations, not explicitly permitting sending IP addresses and domains within Mimecast's policies, incorrect Auth0 email settings, volume/frequency anomalies, and poor list hygiene. Engaging with Mimecast support and A/B testing email content are essential troubleshooting steps.

Key findings

  • Sender Reputation Issues: Newer or less warmed-up IPs, poor list hygiene, and high bounce rates associated with verification emails contribute to a lower sender reputation compared to project invites.
  • Content and Filtering: Verification email content (keywords, links) may trigger Mimecast's spam filters or specific rules.
  • Authentication Problems: DKIM, SPF, and DMARC may not be configured correctly for verification emails, but may be configured correctly for project invites.
  • Mimecast Policies: Sending IPs and domains might not be explicitly permitted in Mimecast's sender policies, leading to unexpected blocks; invite emails may benefit from pre-existing rules.
  • Volume/Frequency Anomalies: Lower volume/frequency can make the filtering more stringent.
  • Auth0 Settings: Incorrect Auth0 configuration in relation to sendgrid, and setup of email settings can cause blocking issues.
  • Feedback Loop Neglect: Failure to register and use the feedback loops provided by Mimecast to improve deliverability

Key considerations

  • Contact Mimecast Support: Reach out to Mimecast support for insights into specific blocking reasons.
  • Warm Up IPs: Implement IP warming strategies for new IPs.
  • Improve List Hygiene: Use opt-in and remove stale addresses.
  • Review and Optimize Content: Remove items causing the blocking.
  • Set up DKIM/SPF/DMARC: Ensure that all authentication protocols are setup correctly.
  • Monitor Domain Reputation: Monitor domain reputation.
  • Update Mimecast Settings: Ensure sender IP/Domain are in Mimecast Policies
  • Join Feedback Loops: Ensure sendgrid is registered for feedback loops with major ISPs including Mimecast.
  • A/B Test: Try different email copy to isolate and fix issues with the copy.

What email marketers say
9Marketer opinions

Sendgrid verification emails can be blocked by Mimecast while project invites are not due to a variety of factors. These include differing sender reputations, content-based triggers, volume/frequency anomalies, IP warm-up status, authentication issues (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and lack of monitoring of feedback loops. Engaging with Mimecast support and A/B testing email content are also recommended troubleshooting steps. Good list hygiene is critical to ensuring opt-in addresses and prevent triggering spam traps.

Key opinions

  • Sender Reputation: Verification emails might be coming from a newer or less warmed-up IP address or domain than project invites, leading to lower reputation and increased scrutiny by Mimecast.
  • Content Triggers: The specific content within verification emails (keywords, links, phrases) may trigger spam filters or specific rules within Mimecast, unlike project invites.
  • Volume and Frequency: Lower volume and frequency of verification emails compared to project invites can raise suspicion and trigger anomaly detection systems.
  • Authentication: Missing or incorrect SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for verification emails can cause Mimecast to reject them, while project invites might be properly authenticated.
  • Feedback Loops: Lack of registration and monitoring of Mimecast's feedback loops prevents identifying and addressing issues causing blocks.
  • List Hygiene: Verification emails might be failing due to recipients not explicitly opting in or using outdated addresses, triggering Mimecast's spam traps.

Key considerations

  • Contact Mimecast Support: Engage with Mimecast support for specific insights into the reasons for the blocks and guidance on resolution.
  • Monitor Domain Reputation: Regularly monitor domain reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and address any identified issues promptly.
  • Dedicated IP Address: Consider using a dedicated IP address to build a distinct sender reputation, avoiding the negative impacts of shared IPs.
  • A/B Test Content: A/B test different content and subject lines in verification emails to identify and eliminate elements triggering Mimecast's filters.
  • Ensure all emails are properly authenticated.: Ensuring all emails are properly authenticated using SPF, DKIM and DMARC will help build trust with receiving mail servers such as Mimecast and improve deliverability.
  • IP Warmup.: IP Warmup is critical for new sending IPs and domains. If project invites were sent from a warmed-up IP while verification emails are sent from a newer or less established IP, it can explain the discrepancy in deliverability.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that the volume and frequency of verification emails are usually lower than project invite emails. This difference in sending patterns could trigger anomaly detection systems within Mimecast. Invite emails may also be getting caught in filters due to being initiated by a real person, and a real action.

February 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost shares that the content of verification emails might inadvertently trigger spam filters or specific rules within Mimecast. For example, using phrases like 'verify your account' or including certain types of links could be problematic.

May 2023 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass suggests A/B testing different content and subject lines in the verification emails to identify what might be triggering Mimecast's filters and adjust accordingly.

September 2021 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus shares maintaining a good domain reputation is crucial. Monitor your domain's reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools and address any issues promptly to prevent blocks.

June 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow states that Mimecast, like other major providers, provides feedback loops. You should ensure that you're registered and monitoring these to identify any issues causing blocks specific to your account.

January 2022 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog shares that warming up your IP address and domain can help improve your sending reputation. New domains/IPs are often viewed with suspicion by security filters such as Mimecast. It is possible your invite emails have built enough history to be trusted while your verification emails are being viewed as new.

June 2024 - Neil Patel's Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests contacting Mimecast support first to resolve the blocking issue, before reaching out to recipients.

March 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that using a dedicated IP address can significantly improve deliverability. Shared IPs can be negatively affected by other senders' practices, whereas a dedicated IP allows you to build your own reputation.

November 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailonAcid explains ensuring all emails are properly authenticated using SPF, DKIM and DMARC will help build trust with receiving mail servers such as Mimecast and improve deliverability. It is possible your invite emails have these configured and the verification ones don't.

May 2022 - EmailonAcid

What the experts say
7Expert opinions

Experts suggest that Sendgrid verification emails being blocked by Mimecast, while project invites are not, is often due to a combination of factors. These include differing sender reputations stemming from poor list hygiene and high bounce rates, not properly warming up the IP address. It is also important to register for Mimecast’s feedback loop to identify and address recipient complaints. Additionally, some experts recommend contacting Mimecast support directly for assistance as the described blocking behavior may not make sense based on the outlined email setup.

Key opinions

  • List Hygiene: Poor list hygiene, including sending to recipients who haven't explicitly opted in or using outdated addresses, can trigger Mimecast's spam traps.
  • Bounce Rates: High bounce rates from verification emails negatively impact sender reputation, potentially leading to Mimecast blocking these emails.
  • Feedback Loops: Failing to register for and monitor Mimecast's feedback loop prevents senders from identifying and addressing recipient complaints.
  • IP Warmup: The verification emails are being sent from a new/less warmed up IP than the project invites.

Key considerations

  • Contact Mimecast Support: Reach out to Mimecast support for specific insights into the blocking behavior, as it might not align with the expected email setup.
  • Improve List Hygiene: Implement strategies to improve list hygiene, such as double opt-in and regular list cleaning.
  • Monitor Bounce Rates: Actively monitor bounce rates and address the underlying causes to prevent negative impacts on sender reputation.
  • Register for Feedback Loop: Register for Mimecast's feedback loop to receive reports on spam complaints and proactively remove problematic recipients.
  • IP Warmup: Warm up the verification email IPs properly.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise says IP Warmup is critical for new sending IPs and domains. If project invites were sent from a warmed-up IP while verification emails are sent from a newer or less established IP, it can explain the discrepancy in deliverability.

June 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states it's exceedingly unlikely that the envelope from is the same using two different ESPs, suggesting it's almost impossible.

March 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes maintaining excellent list hygiene. Verification emails failing suggest potential issues with recipients who haven't explicitly opted in or are using outdated addresses, triggering Mimecast's spam traps.

July 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that solving the issue likely requires contacting the recipient or Mimecast support.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests reaching out to Mimecast because the blocking issue doesn't make sense, given the setup described.

August 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares about the importance of Feedback Loops and how registering with Mimecast’s feedback loop allows senders to receive reports on spam complaints. This information enables senders to identify and remove problematic recipients, which can help prevent future blocks.

May 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that high bounce rates from verification emails negatively impact sender reputation. Mimecast may be blocking based on accumulated negative reputation from these bounces, even if initial invite emails had a clean reputation.

April 2021 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Documentation indicates that Sendgrid verification emails being blocked by Mimecast while project invites are not can stem from various configuration and policy issues. These include sender reputation problems, content-based triggers, DKIM and SPF misconfigurations, not explicitly permitting sending IP addresses and domains within Mimecast's policies, and incorrect Auth0 email settings.

Key findings

  • Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation can lead to email blocks, as Mimecast may filter emails from senders with a history of sending spam or unwanted mail.
  • Content Filters: The content of verification emails, including specific keywords or attachments, might trigger Mimecast's content filters.
  • DKIM Configuration: Incorrect DKIM configuration for sending domains/subdomains can make Mimecast suspicious of unauthenticated verification emails.
  • SPF Records: Incorrect or missing SPF records can cause Mimecast to reject emails, as they fail to authorize Sendgrid to send emails on behalf of your domain.
  • Mimecast Sender Policies: Sending IP addresses and domains might not be explicitly permitted in Mimecast's sender policies, leading to unexpected blocks.
  • Auth0 Settings: Incorrect Auth0 email settings that do not align with SendGrid's requirements can contribute to deliverability issues.

Key considerations

  • Review Sender Reputation: Assess and improve sender reputation by ensuring good email practices, such as permission-based sending and proper list hygiene.
  • Optimize Email Content: Review and optimize the content of verification emails to avoid triggering spam filters or specific rules within Mimecast.
  • Verify DKIM Configuration: Ensure that DKIM is properly configured for all sending domains and subdomains.
  • Configure SPF Records: Correctly configure SPF records to authorize Sendgrid to send emails on behalf of your domain.
  • Update Mimecast Sender Policies: Ensure that sending IP addresses and domains are explicitly permitted in Mimecast's sender policies.
  • Align Auth0 Settings: Verify that Auth0 email settings are correctly configured to align with SendGrid's requirements.
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid Support explains that if DKIM is not properly configured for both sending domains/subdomains (project invites vs. verification emails), Mimecast could be more suspicious of the unauthenticated verification emails, leading to blocks.

October 2024 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from Mimecast shares that ensuring your sending IP addresses and domains are explicitly permitted in Mimecast's sender policies can prevent unexpected blocks. The invite emails may be benefitting from pre-existing rules.

May 2024 - Mimecast
Technical article

Documentation from Auth0 shares to ensure Auth0 email settings are correctly configured to align with SendGrid's requirements. Incorrect configurations can lead to deliverability issues.

June 2024 - Auth0
Technical article

Documentation from Mimecast explains that common reasons for email blocks include sender reputation, content filters triggered by specific keywords or attachments in the verification email, or the recipient's personal block list.

March 2025 - Mimecast
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains that Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records must be correctly configured to authorize Sendgrid to send emails on behalf of your domain. Incorrect or missing SPF records can cause receiving servers like Mimecast to reject emails.

May 2021 - RFC