Why is Gmail bouncing my emails with RFC5322 errors when Outlook accepts them?

Summary

Gmail's stricter enforcement of RFC5322 standards compared to Outlook is the primary reason for bounces. The RFC5322 standard defines specific email header formatting rules. Common violations include duplicated or missing headers, incorrect character encoding, line ending inconsistencies, invalid syntax, and invisible characters. While Outlook may allow some flexibility, Gmail's stringent parsing rejects non-compliant emails. Troubleshooting involves validating headers with online tools, analyzing bounce messages for specific errors, ensuring correct email formatting, and adhering to Google Workspace's sending best practices. Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication helps mitigate these issues and improve deliverability.

Key findings

  • RFC5322 Defines Standards: RFC5322 dictates specific email header formats and syntax.
  • Gmail is Stricter: Gmail enforces RFC5322 standards more rigorously than Outlook.
  • Common Header Issues: Duplicated/missing headers, encoding problems, and line ending inconsistencies are frequent violations.
  • Authentication is Key: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are essential for authentication and mitigating RFC5322-related bounces.

Key considerations

  • Header Validation: Always validate email headers using online tools before sending.
  • Bounce Analysis: Carefully analyze bounce messages from Gmail for specific RFC5322 errors.
  • Implement Authentication: Ensure proper implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability.
  • Google's Best Practices: Adhere to Google Workspace's email sending best practices to avoid being marked as spam.
  • Formatting Checks: Ensure correct email formatting, including valid character encoding and consistent line endings.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Gmail's stricter adherence to RFC5322 standards, compared to Outlook's more lenient interpretation, is the primary reason for email bounces despite Outlook acceptance. Common RFC5322 violations include duplicated headers, missing or malformed Date and From headers, incorrect character encoding, inconsistent line endings (CR/LF), and invisible characters. Online header validators and email testing tools are recommended for identifying and correcting these issues. Proper email formatting, analyzing bounce messages, and implementing DKIM and DMARC can also help mitigate RFC5322-related problems.

Key opinions

  • Strictness: Gmail is stricter than Outlook in enforcing RFC5322.
  • Common Errors: Duplicated headers, missing headers, incorrect encoding, line ending issues, and invisible characters are common RFC5322 violations.
  • Validation: Online header validators and email testing tools help identify RFC5322 errors.

Key considerations

  • Header Checks: Thoroughly validate email headers for RFC5322 compliance before sending.
  • Testing: Utilize email testing tools to simulate Gmail's email parsing to identify potential issues.
  • Implementation: Implement DKIM and DMARC to enhance email authentication and reduce the risk of rejection by Gmail.
  • Bounce Analysis: Analyze bounce messages from Gmail to pinpoint specific RFC5322 violations.
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that RFC5322 specifies that some headers are only allowed to appear once, and suggests checking for malformed messages with duplicated headers.

December 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks asks where and how the headers were validated and explains that Outlook may not enforce RFC5322 fully but Gmail does, even more so.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum shares that common RFC5322 violations include missing Date or From headers, invalid character encoding, or incorrect line endings. These might not be flagged by all email clients but can cause issues with Gmail.

March 2023 - EmailGeeks Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid explains implementing DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) can help address RFC5322 issues by providing a framework for email authentication and policy enforcement, reducing the likelihood of email rejection by Gmail.

January 2024 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDrip Blog advises using online email header validators to check for RFC5322 compliance. These tools can highlight specific errors that might be causing Gmail to bounce the emails, which Outlook overlooks.

June 2023 - EmailDrip Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOnAcid shares that ensuring your email formatting is correct, particularly in headers, can solve these RFC5322 issues. They recommend using their email testing tools before sending.

August 2024 - EmailOnAcid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that sometimes, invisible characters or incorrect encoding in the headers can cause RFC5322 errors. These might not be immediately obvious, but Gmail's parser can detect them, while Outlook's might not.

January 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost explains Analyzing bounce messages from Gmail can provide detailed information about the specific RFC5322 violation that caused the rejection, allowing for targeted troubleshooting.

October 2023 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass blog shares you should use email testing tools. These tools can highlight specific errors that might be causing Gmail to bounce the emails, which Outlook overlooks. These tools can highlight specific errors that might be causing Gmail to bounce the emails, which Outlook overlooks.

July 2022 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains that Gmail is known to be stricter about RFC5322 compliance than Outlook. Outlook might be more forgiving of minor deviations, while Gmail strictly enforces the standard, leading to bounces.

October 2024 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailtrap Blog explains that RFC5322 requires specific use of Carriage Return (CR) and Line Feed (LF) characters for line endings in email headers. Inconsistent or incorrect usage of these characters can lead to RFC5322 errors, which Gmail may enforce more strictly.

August 2024 - Mailtrap Blog

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Gmail often enforces RFC5322 standards more rigorously than Outlook. Experts suggest the problem often lies with the sender's email construction, specifically within the email headers. Troubleshooting involves carefully examining headers for compliance, utilizing parsing and validation tools, and understanding that email providers interpret RFCs differently, resulting in varied acceptance.

Key opinions

  • Gmail's Strictness: Gmail enforces RFC5322 more strictly than Outlook.
  • Sender-Side Issue: The problem often originates from the sender's non-compliant email construction.
  • Header Examination: Careful examination and validation of email headers are crucial for identifying and correcting RFC5322 violations.

Key considerations

  • Header Validation: Always validate email headers against RFC5322 standards.
  • Tool Usage: Utilize header parsing and validation tools to identify errors.
  • Provider Differences: Recognize that different email providers may interpret and enforce RFC5322 differently.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares tips on troubleshooting email headers, including using tools to parse and validate headers, looking for common errors like missing or malformed fields, and understanding that different email providers may interpret the RFCs differently.

April 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks asks if the user has looked at the headers they are sending and if they are sending 5322 compliant mail, suggesting the issue is likely on their end.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Gmail sometimes enforces RFC5322 more strictly, particularly regarding line endings and whitespace, compared to other email providers like Outlook. This strict enforcement can lead to bounces even if the email appears fine in Outlook.

May 2023 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

RFC5322 defines precise email header formatting rules which Gmail strictly enforces. Deviations from these specifications, including incorrect syntax, line lengths, character usage, or missing required headers, can lead to email rejection. While Outlook may allow some flexibility, Google Workspace Admin documentation emphasizes adherence to best practices and proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Implementing DKIM can also mitigate RFC5322 issues by ensuring header integrity. Overall, strict compliance with RFC5322 is critical for deliverability to Gmail.

Key findings

  • RFC5322 Definition: RFC5322 defines the strict formatting rules for email headers.
  • Gmail Enforcement: Gmail strictly enforces RFC5322 specifications.
  • Outlook Flexibility: Outlook may allow some deviations from RFC5322 for usability.
  • Mitigation with DKIM: Proper DKIM implementation can help mitigate RFC5322-related issues by ensuring header integrity.

Key considerations

  • Adherence to RFC5322: Strictly adhere to RFC5322 specifications when formatting email headers.
  • Email Address Syntax: Ensure email addresses conform to IETF's syntax rules.
  • Authentication Protocols: Implement proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability.
  • Google Workspace Guidelines: Follow Google Workspace's email sending best practices.
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor explains that RFC5322 specifies the exact format for email headers, including the use of specific characters, line lengths, and the presence of required headers. Deviation from these specifications may lead to non-compliance and potential rejection by email servers like Gmail.

February 2022 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from DKIM.org explains that properly implementing DKIM can help mitigate RFC5322 related issues, as DKIM signs email headers, ensuring they haven't been tampered with and meet certain standards.

May 2022 - DKIM.org
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft clarifies that while Outlook strives for RFC compliance, it may implement certain relaxations or interpretations for usability, potentially allowing emails that Gmail would reject due to strict adherence to RFC5322.

September 2024 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace Admin details the importance of adhering to email sending best practices to avoid being marked as spam or violating RFC5322. This includes proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and respecting header formats.

April 2024 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from IETF mentions there are specific rules about email address syntax, including allowed characters and format. Non-compliance with these rules can lead to RFC5322 errors.

August 2024 - IETF