Summary
AWS SES can encounter email sending issues stemming from various sources, including general AWS infrastructure problems, abuse by spammers due to its low cost, and deliverability challenges. Infrastructure issues can cause deferrals, login problems, and internal errors. To combat deliverability problems, it is crucial to warm up IP addresses, properly configure email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitor and adjust AWS SES sending limits, and address temporary bounces by checking DNS settings. Additionally, it is important to implement feedback loops, monitor bounce and complaint rates, utilize deliverability testing tools, and consider dedicated IPs for high-volume sending. While AWS is generally reliable, monitoring service health and having contingency plans are essential.
Key findings
- Infrastructure Issues: AWS infrastructure problems can lead to sending deferrals, login problems, and internal errors.
- Reputation Abuse: AWS SES is often abused by spammers, leading to IP address reputation issues and deliverability challenges.
- Authentication Problems: Improper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records impacts email deliverability by causing emails to be marked as spam.
- Sending Limitations: AWS SES accounts may have sending limits that can cause sending issues; monitoring and requesting increases are crucial.
- IP Warming Importance: Failing to properly warm up IP addresses when using AWS SES can negatively impact deliverability.
- Feedback Loops: Implementing feedback loops helps in monitoring bounces and complaints to maintain list hygiene.
- AWS Outages: Occasional AWS outages can impact email deliverability.
Key considerations
- Monitor Service Health: Regularly monitor AWS service health for any outages that may affect email sending.
- Implement Authentication: Ensure proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate emails.
- Check Sending Limits: Regularly check AWS SES sending limits and request increases to avoid throttling.
- Warm Up IP Addresses: Gradually warm up IP addresses to establish a positive sending reputation.
- Test Deliverability: Use deliverability testing tools to identify and fix any issues that may be affecting inbox placement.
- Use Dedicated IPs: Consider using dedicated IPs for high-volume sending to build and maintain a strong sending reputation.
- Monitor Reputation: Actively monitor bounce and complaint rates and take action to remove problematic addresses.
- Contingency Plans: Develop contingency plans to mitigate impact of AWS outages on email deliverability
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
There are potential email sending issues with AWS SES, ranging from temporary outages to deliverability challenges. Issues can stem from AWS infrastructure problems, such as those affecting the US-East-1 region, leading to deferrals and login problems. Deliverability can be affected by various factors including failure to warm up IP addresses, incorrect configuration of email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), AWS SES throttling, temporary bounces, and account-level restrictions. Proper monitoring, deliverability testing, and the use of dedicated IPs for high-volume senders can mitigate these issues.
Key opinions
- Infrastructure Issues: AWS infrastructure problems, particularly in regions like US-East-1, can cause sending deferrals and login difficulties.
- Authentication Configuration: Incorrectly configured SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records can lead to deliverability problems by causing emails to be marked as spam.
- Account Restrictions: AWS SES accounts may have sending limits or restrictions that can cause sending issues; it's important to monitor these and request increases if necessary.
- IP Warming: Failure to properly warm up IP addresses when using AWS SES can negatively impact deliverability.
- SES Throttling: AWS SES throttling can occur, limiting the number of emails sent; checking sending limits is crucial.
- Temporary Bounces: Temporary bounces can be indicative of DNS configuration issues that need to be addressed.
Key considerations
- Monitor Service Health: Regularly monitor AWS service health for any outages or issues that may affect email sending.
- Implement Authentication: Ensure proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to authenticate emails and improve deliverability.
- Check Sending Limits: Regularly check AWS SES sending limits and request increases as needed to avoid throttling.
- Warm Up IP: Gradually warm up IP addresses to establish a positive sending reputation.
- Test Deliverability: Use deliverability testing tools to identify and fix any issues that may be affecting inbox placement.
- Dedicated IPs: Consider using dedicated IPs for high-volume sending to build and maintain a strong sending reputation.
- Monitor Reputation: Actively monitor bounce and complaint rates and take action to remove problematic addresses from sending lists.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SendGrid explains that proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is crucial for email deliverability when using AWS SES. This helps verify that emails are legitimately sent from your domain and reduces the chances of being marked as spam.
26 Jun 2023 - SendGrid
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet advises using dedicated IPs with AWS SES if you're sending a high volume of emails. This helps build and maintain your own sending reputation, which can improve deliverability.
14 Dec 2021 - Mailjet
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
AWS SES can experience email sending issues due to various factors. These range from general AWS infrastructure problems, like outages and internal errors, to reputation issues caused by abuse from spammers taking advantage of its low cost and accessibility. While AWS is generally reliable, monitoring its service health and having contingency plans are essential to mitigate the impact of occasional outages on email deliverability.
Key opinions
- Infrastructure Problems: AWS occasionally experiences infrastructure problems leading to outages and internal errors, disrupting services like SES.
- Reputation Issues: AWS SES is prone to abuse by spammers due to its low cost, negatively impacting IP address reputation and deliverability for legitimate users.
- Outage Impact: Occasional AWS outages can impact email deliverability, requiring monitoring and contingency planning.
Key considerations
- Monitor Service Health: Regularly monitor AWS service health dashboards to stay informed about potential outages or issues.
- Contingency Plans: Develop contingency plans to mitigate the impact of potential AWS outages on email deliverability.
- Reputation Management: Implement strategies to maintain a positive sending reputation and minimize the risk of being affected by spammers on the AWS SES platform.
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource explains that AWS SES, due to its low cost and easy accessibility, is often abused by spammers, which can lead to IP address reputation issues and potential deliverability problems for legitimate users.
9 Jul 2024 - SpamResource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise indicates that while AWS is generally reliable, occasional outages can impact email deliverability. It's essential to monitor AWS service health and have contingency plans in place to mitigate potential issues.
12 Jul 2024 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
AWS SES implements various mechanisms to ensure deliverability and protect its sending reputation. These include initial sending limitations on new accounts, monitoring sending activity via CloudWatch, adhering to configuration best practices such as setting up feedback loops for bounces and complaints, and the possibility of account suspension due to high bounce or complaint rates. Implementing feedback loops is vital for identifying and removing problematic email addresses to maintain a healthy sending reputation.
Key findings
- Sending Limitations: AWS SES imposes sending limitations, especially on new accounts, to protect its reputation.
- Monitoring Capabilities: AWS SES provides tools, such as CloudWatch metrics, to monitor sending activity, including bounces, complaints, and delivery rates.
- Configuration Best Practices: Adhering to AWS SES configuration best practices, including setting up feedback loops, is crucial for maintaining a good sending reputation.
- Account Suspension: Accounts can be suspended due to high bounce or complaint rates, highlighting the importance of list quality and email sending practices.
- Feedback Loops: Implementing feedback loops is essential for prompt action on bounces and complaints, enabling the removal of problematic addresses.
Key considerations
- Request Limit Increases: Be aware of sending limitations and request increases when necessary.
- Utilize CloudWatch: Actively monitor SES sending activity using CloudWatch metrics to identify potential issues.
- Implement Feedback Loops: Set up feedback loops to receive notifications about bounces and complaints.
- Maintain List Quality: Maintain a clean email list and follow best practices for email sending to avoid high bounce and complaint rates.
- Adhere to Best Practices: Review and implement AWS SES configuration best practices to maximize deliverability.
Technical article
Documentation from AWS Documentation explains that AWS SES has sending limitations to protect its reputation and ensure high deliverability. New accounts start with lower sending limits, which can be increased by submitting a request.
26 Dec 2022 - AWS Documentation
Technical article
Documentation from AWS SES FAQ clarifies that accounts can be suspended due to high bounce or complaint rates, indicating potential issues with email sending practices or list quality.
12 Sep 2023 - AWS SES FAQ
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