Summary
Amazon SES's primary limitation is the lack of direct access to Microsoft's SNDS. While frustrating, this is due to Amazon's policy to prevent data leaks. To compensate, SES provides SNDS-related data through CloudWatch metrics and encourages using alternative methods to maintain deliverability. These include closely monitoring SES metrics (bounce/complaint rates), setting up SNS notifications, implementing feedback loops with ISPs, leveraging third-party tools, and ensuring proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup. Ultimately, a proactive approach to reputation management and deliverability is crucial.
Key findings
- No Direct SNDS Access: Amazon SES does not provide direct access to Microsoft SNDS due to its security policy.
- CloudWatch Data: Amazon SES provides SNDS-related data, such as complaint and bounce rates, through CloudWatch metrics.
- Alternative Monitoring: Monitoring SES reputation metrics, setting up SNS notifications, and using third-party tools are viable alternatives to direct SNDS access.
- Feedback Loops: Setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with major ISPs, including Microsoft, helps in identifying and removing problematic recipients.
- Sender Authentication: Proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential for improving email deliverability.
- Reputation Focus: Maintaining a clean sending reputation is critical for deliverability to Microsoft domains.
Key considerations
- Monitor SES Metrics: Regularly monitor bounce and complaint rates within the SES dashboard and CloudWatch.
- Implement FBLs: Establish feedback loops with major ISPs to proactively address complaints.
- Use Third-Party Tools: Consider using third-party tools for more detailed deliverability reporting and analysis.
- Authenticate Email: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured for your sending domain.
- Reputation Management: Actively manage sender reputation by promptly addressing complaints and removing problematic recipients. Take reputation seriously.
- Adapt to Policy: Accept that Amazon's policy regarding SNDS is unlikely to change, and focus on utilizing available alternatives.
What email marketers say
7 marketer opinions
Amazon SES has limitations regarding direct access to Microsoft's SNDS (Smart Network Data Services). However, various workarounds and best practices can help maintain good deliverability to Microsoft domains. These include closely monitoring SES's internal metrics (bounce/complaint rates), using SNS notifications, setting up feedback loops with ISPs, leveraging third-party deliverability tools, and ensuring proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup for sender authentication.
Key opinions
- SES Metrics: Amazon SES provides reputation metrics (bounce, complaint rates) within its dashboard, offering insights into deliverability performance.
- Feedback Loops: Setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with major ISPs, including Microsoft, allows you to receive reports on spam complaints, helping maintain a clean sending list.
- Third-Party Tools: Third-party email deliverability monitoring tools that integrate with SES offer detailed reports and insights, such as spam trap hits and feedback loop data.
- Sender Authentication: Correctly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC enhances email deliverability and reduces the likelihood of being flagged as spam.
Key considerations
- Monitoring is Key: Continuously monitor SES metrics and feedback loops to identify and address deliverability issues promptly.
- Proactive Approach: Implement best practices like sender authentication and list hygiene to prevent deliverability problems before they arise.
- Tool Selection: Consider using third-party tools for more comprehensive monitoring and reporting, especially if direct SNDS access is desired.
- Reputation Management: Actively manage your sender reputation by promptly addressing complaints and removing problematic recipients.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Gmass shares that to overcome the SNDS access limitation, consider using third-party services that provide detailed deliverability reports by setting up feedback loops. These services can help monitor your sender reputation and pinpoint delivery issues.
16 Mar 2022 - Gmass
Marketer view
Email marketer from Stack Overflow user suggests monitoring bounce and complaint rates within SES and using feedback loops as an alternative to directly accessing SNDS. They emphasize that analyzing these metrics can provide similar insights into deliverability issues.
19 Oct 2021 - Stack Overflow
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Amazon SES doesn't provide direct access to Microsoft SNDS due to Amazon's policy, focusing instead on providing data access without security risks. While this limitation is frustrating, experts suggest maintaining a clean sending reputation, proactively monitoring bounce/complaint rates, using feedback loops, and implementing sender authentication practices as effective workarounds for improving deliverability to Microsoft domains. Improving reputation is key, particularly in SNDS. Proactive monitoring, prompt response to feedback, and best sending practices are crucial for maintaining a positive reputation and successfully reaching inboxes.
Key opinions
- Amazon's Policy: Amazon SES does not offer direct SNDS access to customers.
- Data Access: Amazon provides access to SNDS-related data through alternative channels, mitigating security risks.
- Reputation is Key: Focusing on maintaining a clean sending reputation is crucial for deliverability to Microsoft domains.
- Alternative Strategies: Proactive monitoring of metrics like bounce and complaint rates, feedback loops, and sender authentication can mitigate the lack of direct SNDS access.
Key considerations
- Acceptance of Policy: Understand that Amazon's policy regarding SNDS is unlikely to change.
- Proactive Monitoring: Implement systems to actively monitor bounce and complaint rates.
- Sender Authentication: Ensure proper setup of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Feedback Loops: Utilize feedback loops to identify and remove problematic recipients from mailing lists.
- Reputation Management: Reputation can make or break you
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains it's Amazon's policy not to give direct SNDS access to their customers but they do provide access to the data for your use without leaking it to unauthorized parties.
25 Nov 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Wrd to the Wise explains that improving reputation is key, particularly in SNDS. Proactive monitoring, prompt response to feedback, and best sending practices are crucial for maintaining a positive reputation and successfully reaching inboxes.
3 Dec 2024 - Wrd to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Amazon SES does not offer direct access to Microsoft's SNDS. However, Amazon SES provides SNDS-related data through CloudWatch metrics, including complaint rates and spam trap hits. While direct SNDS access is unavailable, these CloudWatch metrics and other monitored SES sending activities like bounce rates, complaint rates, and delivery rates, can help identify and address deliverability issues when sending to Outlook.com and Hotmail.
Key findings
- No Direct SNDS: Amazon SES does not provide direct access to Microsoft's SNDS.
- CloudWatch Metrics: Amazon SES provides SNDS-related data through CloudWatch metrics.
- Key Data Points: CloudWatch metrics include complaint rates, spam trap hits, bounce rates, and delivery rates.
- Microsoft SNDS: Microsoft SNDS provides data about IP address reputation, complaint volume, and spam trap hits, useful for addressing deliverability issues.
Key considerations
- Monitor CloudWatch: Regularly monitor CloudWatch metrics for insights into sending performance and deliverability.
- Alternative Analysis: Analyze CloudWatch data to identify and address deliverability issues to Outlook.com and Hotmail, despite the lack of direct SNDS access.
- Proactive Management: Use the available data to proactively manage sender reputation and maintain good deliverability.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft states that SNDS provides data about your IP address's reputation, complaint volume, and spam trap hits. This data can help you identify and address deliverability issues when sending to Outlook.com and Hotmail.
17 Jul 2021 - Microsoft
Technical article
Documentation from Amazon Web Services details using CloudWatch to monitor SES sending activity, including bounce rates, complaint rates, and delivery rates. This provides a way to track deliverability without direct SNDS access.
3 Sep 2021 - Amazon Web Services
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