Why are Verizon Media Group emails bouncing with error 554? What causes a '554 Message not allowed' error from Verizon?

Email marketer from StackOverflow shares that a 554 rejection may be due to the message being considered spam. The user suggests reviewing the email's content, headers, and sender reputation to identify potential issues triggering the filter.

Email marketer from Litmus answers to check blocklists if you are receiving this error message. This can be done by using online tools, it may take a few days to resolve, and contact the blocklist provider.

Email marketer from Reddit notes that Verizon (Yahoo) often blocks emails due to poor sender reputation, high complaint rates, or content that triggers spam filters. They recommend ensuring proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining a clean email list, and monitoring sender reputation.

Email marketer from email.geeks.chat shares that the 554 error can occur because of hidden characters in the subject line.

Email marketer from Gmass answers to improve sender reputation you must be consistent with sending, ensure low bounce rates, authenticate your emails (SPF, DKIM and DMARC), and offer easy unsubscribe option.

Email marketer from Email on Acid notes that common content triggers include excessive use of spam trigger words (e.g., 'free,' 'guarantee'), overly aggressive sales language, and misleading subject lines. They recommend using a spam checker to evaluate email content.

Email marketer from Email Geeks confirms that the issue was hidden characters in the subject line due to copy and pasting, causing Verizon to block the mail.

Email marketer from MailChannels responds with the following causes of bounce backs; poor IP/Domain reputation, being blacklisted, DNS authentication setup wrong (SPF, DKIM or DMARC), and spam content.

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that a client triggered a block at Verizon Media Group with error code 554 Message not allowed - [299]. The client had no issues yesterday, but today all Verizon Media group emails have bounced with this code. The IPs are not blocklisted, and they are shared IPs with only this client having the issue. The sending domain is also not blocklisted. No issues with authentication and this client isn’t using DMARC. The contacts sent to were their normal BAU list, which was used yesterday with no issues. She suspects it may be due to the content, which is a competition email asking contacts to go to social media and like/share posts.

Expert from Email Geeks suggests the error might be a content problem.

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that Verizon/Yahoo use a complex algorithm that analyzes sending behavior, content, and user engagement. A sudden increase in email volume, sending to unengaged users, or using spam trigger words can all contribute to a 554 error.

Expert from Email Geeks suggests testing by forwarding from personal systems to see if the email is blocked, and generating a mail from the client's account with plain text content to isolate the issue.

Expert from Spam Resource explains that a 554 error can result from a combination of factors, including poor sender reputation, content deemed to be spam, or issues with authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Maintaining a clean list and monitoring feedback loops are essential for minimizing deliverability issues.

Documentation from Microsoft answers about email content. Avoid using an exclamation mark, and never write in all caps. Always include a physical mailing address in the email. Be very careful about the color you choose for the text as using red text can trigger spam filters.

Documentation from SocketLabs explains that 5xx SMTP error codes indicate a permanent failure. While not specific to Verizon, a 554 error often relates to policy rejection. This could stem from content filters, reputation issues, or other security measures implemented by the receiving server.

Documentation from RFC clarifies that while a 5.7.1 enhanced status code often accompanies a 554 error, the specific meaning is implementation-dependent. The 554 code broadly means 'transaction failed' and the enhanced code provides more granularity on the reason, such as security or policy rejection.

Documentation from Verizon Media Group Postmaster Site explains that a 554 error, specifically 'Message not allowed', indicates that the message has been rejected due to content or policy violations. This can be triggered by spam-like content, suspicious links, or issues with the sender's reputation. It advises checking the content for anything that might be flagged as spam and ensuring the sending IP and domain have a good reputation.

Documentation from SparkPost answers that Verizon might use the 554 code to indicate policy-related rejections. The solution involves adjusting email content, reviewing sending practices, and contacting Verizon’s support team for assistance if issues persist.