Why are transactional emails bouncing with 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' and how to resolve it?

Summary

The 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' bounce indicates the receiving mail server perceives the sending IP or domain as a source of spam, primarily due to poor sender reputation. This can arise from multiple factors, including spam complaints, high bounce rates, suspicious sending patterns, being listed on blocklists (RBLs), sudden volume spikes, or even the content of the emails triggering spam filters. Resolving this involves a multi-faceted approach: immediately checking blocklist status and contacting the blocking entity (ISP or email provider) for remediation; verifying and improving sender reputation using tools and adhering to best practices; implementing proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC); maintaining a clean email list and segmenting it for targeted sending; separating transactional and marketing emails to different IPs; gradually warming up new IPs; monitoring feedback loops and promptly addressing complaints; avoiding spam trigger words; and ensuring clear communication with recipients about the value of the messages. Reviewing SMTP logs can also reveal specific reasons for rejections.

Key findings

  • Reputation is Paramount: Poor sender reputation is the primary cause of 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' bounces.
  • Authentication is Essential: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial to verify sender identity and prevent spoofing.
  • List Hygiene Matters: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list reduces bounce rates and spam complaints.
  • Content Impacts Deliverability: The content of the email, including the use of spam trigger words, can affect deliverability.
  • Monitoring is Key: Regularly monitoring IP and domain reputation is essential for proactive problem-solving.
  • Segment Your Traffic: Separating transactional and marketing email IPs is essential to prevent reputation issues with critical traffic.

Key considerations

  • Check Blocklists Immediately: Immediately check your IP and domain against common blocklists (RBLs) to identify potential issues.
  • Contact Blocking Entities: Contact the blocking ISP or email provider to request delisting and demonstrate adherence to best practices.
  • Implement Authentication Protocols: Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate your emails and improve deliverability.
  • Clean Your Email List Regularly: Remove inactive, invalid, or unengaged subscribers from your email list to improve engagement rates.
  • Segment Your Email Campaigns: Segment your email list based on engagement and demographics to send more targeted and relevant messages.
  • Avoid Spam Trigger Words: Review your email content to avoid using spam trigger words or phrases that can flag your messages as spam.
  • Monitor Your Reputation: Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Sender Score to monitor your IP and domain reputation.
  • Monitor Engagement: Closely monitor user engagement metrics like opens, clicks, and spam complaints to identify and address potential deliverability issues.
  • IP Warm-Up: Slowly warm up your IP address by gradually increasing sending volume when using a new IP address.
  • Review SMTP Logs: Review your email server logs for specific SMTP error codes related to rejections.
  • Use a Dedicated IP Address: Use a dedicated IP for transactional emails to protect its reputation.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

The 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' bounce message indicates that the receiving mail server considers the sending IP or domain to have a history of sending spam. This can stem from various factors including poor sending practices, low engagement, spam complaints, being listed on blocklists (RBLs), or sudden increases in email volume. Resolution involves checking and improving sender reputation, ensuring proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining a clean email list, segmenting lists for targeted sending, separating transactional and marketing emails, warming up new IPs, monitoring feedback loops, and avoiding spam trigger words in email content. Contacting the recipient's email provider or security filter provider for delisting may also be necessary.

Key opinions

  • Reputation: The primary cause is poor sender reputation due to perceived spam activity by the receiving server.
  • Authentication: Lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can lead to deliverability issues.
  • List Hygiene: Poor list hygiene, including inactive or invalid addresses, contributes to deliverability problems.
  • Volume Spikes: Sudden increases in email volume, especially from new IPs, can trigger spam filters.
  • Content: Spam trigger words or aggressive promotional language can flag emails as spam.
  • Separation of traffic: Sending marketing emails via the same IP can negatively impact the reputation of critical transactional traffic.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Reputation: Regularly check IP and domain reputation using tools like Sender Score and Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured to verify sender identity.
  • Clean Email List: Remove inactive or invalid addresses from the email list to improve engagement rates.
  • Segmentation: Segment the email list and send more targeted emails to improve engagement and relevance.
  • IP Warm-up: Gradually increase email volume when using a new IP address to establish a positive sending reputation.
  • Content Review: Avoid using spam trigger words and aggressive promotional language in email content.
  • Feedback Loops: Monitor feedback loops and address complaints promptly to maintain a good sender reputation.
  • Delisting: Contact the recipient's email provider or security filter provider for delisting if the IP or domain is blocked.
  • MX Records: Perform an MX lookup to identify the recipient email provider and investigate deliverability issues.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit r/emailmarketing suggests that the issue might be related to a recent campaign that triggered spam filters. They recommend segmenting your list and sending more targeted emails to improve engagement and avoid being flagged as a spammer. Also warming up your IP address if you are new to sending volume.

May 2024 - Reddit r/emailmarketing
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange answers that a 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' error often means your IP or domain is on a Real-time Blackhole List (RBL). They suggest checking your IP against common RBLs using a tool like MultiRBL and taking steps to get delisted if necessary. Also monitor complaints.

October 2021 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost Help Center suggests that a possible cause is a sudden increase in email volume. When sending transactional emails, you should follow a schedule of slowly increasing the volumes you send to avoid MailBlockKnownSpammer. They advise to warm up your IP if you have started using a new IP address.

October 2024 - SparkPost Help Center
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora User answers that it could be due to the content of your email. If your email is being flagged as spam, it could be that you have used spam trigger words. Avoid language that might be seen as overly aggressive or promotional.

December 2023 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus Blog stresses the necessity of implementing email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These protocols verify the sender's identity and help prevent spoofing, improving deliverability and reducing the risk of being flagged as a spammer. They recommend regularly checking DMARC reporting.

April 2022 - Litmus Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Postmark Help Center answers that the 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' error often arises because the recipient server identifies the sender as a source of unsolicited email. It advises to check sender reputation through tools like Sender Score, maintain a clean email list (removing inactive or invalid addresses), and monitor feedback loops to address complaints promptly.

July 2021 - Postmark Help Center
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailonAcid Blog emphasizes the importance of separating transactional and marketing emails onto different IP addresses. This helps maintain the reputation of the transactional IP, ensuring critical messages are delivered reliably. This is important because transactional email should always arrive.

January 2025 - EmailonAcid Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid Help Center shares that this bounce reason typically means the receiving mail server has blocked the sending server due to perceived spam activity. Suggested actions include verifying your sending reputation, ensuring your emails comply with anti-spam laws (like CAN-SPAM), and contacting the recipient's email provider to request delisting.

November 2021 - SendGrid Help Center
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks suggests that the issue might be a smaller security filter or local provider blocking the emails. They advise doing an MX lookup of the domains to identify a common source for remediation.

August 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailgun Help Center explains that a 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' bounce indicates the recipient's mail server believes the sending IP address or domain has a history of sending spam. This can happen due to poor sending practices, low engagement, or being listed on blocklists. They recommend checking IP/domain reputation, ensuring proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and improving engagement rates.

November 2023 - Mailgun Help Center
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that Office365 has its own delist submission portal to check if an IP is blocked and request unblocking and provides the link. They also highlight that sending marketing emails from the same IP as transactional emails can cause deliverability problems. They believe someone marked a survey email as spam.

December 2021 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

The 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' bounce message indicates a block based on the sender's perceived reputation. Resolving this involves immediately checking your blocklist status and contacting the blocking entity (ISP or email provider) to request remediation, emphasizing your adherence to email best practices. Maintaining a consistent and positive sender reputation is vital, achieved through monitoring reputation using available tools, proactively addressing negative feedback, and ensuring clear communication with recipients about the purpose and value of your transactional messages.

Key opinions

  • Reputation is Key: The MailBlockKnownSpammer error is a direct result of a negative sender reputation.
  • Action Required: Proactive monitoring and addressing of reputation issues are crucial for maintaining transactional email deliverability.
  • Communication Matters: Clear communication with recipients enhances trust and mitigates potential complaints.

Key considerations

  • Check Blocklists: Immediately check your domain and IP against common blocklists.
  • Contact Blocking Entity: Reach out to the blocking ISP or email provider to request delisting and explain your commitment to best practices.
  • Monitor Reputation: Use available tools to consistently monitor your sender reputation.
  • Address Feedback: Proactively address any negative feedback or complaints to improve your reputation.
  • Communicate Clearly: Ensure clear communication with recipients regarding the purpose and value of your transactional messages.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that the 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' message indicates a block based on the sender's perceived reputation. Immediate steps involve checking blocklist status and contacting the blocking entity (e.g., the specific ISP or email provider) for remediation, emphasizing adherence to best practices.

May 2023 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise emphasizes that consistent and positive sender reputation is vital for transactional email deliverability. She advises monitoring sender reputation using available tools, proactively addressing any negative feedback or complaints, and ensuring clear communication with recipients about the purpose and value of transactional messages.

December 2021 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Transactional emails bouncing with 'MailBlockKnownSpammer' are generally due to the receiving mail server identifying the sender as a source of unsolicited mail based on several factors. These include spam complaints, high bounce rates, detection of suspicious sending patterns, and poor sender reputation. To resolve this, it's essential to monitor IP reputation and subscriber complaints using tools like Microsoft's SNDS and JMRP, adhere to bulk sender guidelines from Gmail and other providers (including authentication and easy unsubscribe options), and investigate specific SMTP error codes in logs to understand the rejection reason.

Key findings

  • Reputation Matters: Sender reputation is a critical factor in determining whether transactional emails are blocked.
  • Multiple Factors at Play: Blocking decisions are based on a combination of signals, including spam complaints, bounce rates, and sending patterns.
  • Guidelines are Key: Following bulk sender guidelines from major email providers is essential to avoid being marked as a spammer.
  • Error Codes: SMTP error codes can provide insights into the specific reasons for email rejections.

Key considerations

  • Monitor Reputation: Actively monitor IP reputation and subscriber complaints using available tools (e.g., SNDS, JMRP).
  • Follow Guidelines: Adhere to bulk sender guidelines from major email providers like Gmail, Outlook.com, etc.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to verify sender identity.
  • Provide Unsubscribe: Offer easy and accessible unsubscribe options to reduce spam complaints.
  • Review Logs: Investigate SMTP error codes in email logs to understand the specific reasons for rejections and take appropriate action.
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that Gmail uses various signals to identify spam, including user reports, engagement metrics, and sender reputation. To avoid being marked as a spammer, it is crucial to follow Gmail's bulk sender guidelines, which include authenticating emails, maintaining low spam complaint rates, and providing easy unsubscribe options.

March 2023 - Google Postmaster Tools
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor details that specific SMTP error codes related to blocking (though not explicitly 'MailBlockKnownSpammer') indicate a policy rejection by the receiving server. This means the server has a reason to refuse the message, whether it is due to sender reputation, content filtering, or other security measures. Review your logs to get the exact code that indicates the policy rejection.

February 2025 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft Docs explains that Outlook.com may block senders based on various factors, including spam complaints, high bounce rates, or detection of suspicious sending patterns. It recommends using the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) and Junk Email Reporting Program (JMRP) to monitor IP reputation and subscriber complaints.

September 2024 - Microsoft Docs