Summary
Microsoft SNDS data display and delays are a multifaceted issue stemming from various sources. Common problems include data stopping unexpectedly (often around the 5th of the month), login errors resolved through workarounds like different browsers or incognito mode, and underlying causes like outdated infrastructure, Microsoft's broader infrastructure challenges, data processing pipelines, filtering and aggregation, and potential system issues. Authentication problems, insufficient sending volume, account permission issues, recent IP/domain changes, and discrepancies in IP reputation reporting also contribute. Microsoft documentation emphasizes processing times, non-real-time updates, and the importance of MSA association. Experts recommend checking authentication settings, verifying IP registration, escalating to support, and understanding the limitations of SNDS as merely an indication, not absolute truth.
Key findings
- Data Stoppage: SNDS data frequently stops updating, often around the 5th of the month.
- Login Issues: Recurring login errors can often be resolved using alternate browsers or incognito mode.
- Infrastructure: Underlying infrastructure issues, both with SNDS and with Microsoft more broadly, can lead to data delays and inconsistencies.
- Data Processing: SNDS data is subject to processing times, filtering, aggregation, and non-real-time updates, all affecting accuracy and timeliness.
- Authentication: Incorrect email authentication settings (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) can cause data misrepresentation in SNDS.
- Thresholds: Insufficient sending volume to live Microsoft addresses may prevent SNDS from displaying data.
- Account Permissions: SNDS data synchronization issues can arise from conflicts with other Microsoft services or account permission problems.
- IP/Domain Changes: Recent changes to IP addresses or domains may delay data display until Microsoft systems fully recognize the new configuration.
- MSA Requirement: Access to SNDS data requires a Microsoft Account (MSA) associated with the sender IP reputation.
Key considerations
- Verify IP Registration: Ensure your IPs are correctly registered and actively monitor official Microsoft support channels for announcements.
- Review Authentication: Check and correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication settings to ensure accurate data reporting.
- Manage Sending Volume: Maintain an adequate sending volume to active Microsoft addresses to trigger SNDS reporting.
- Confirm Account Permissions: Validate that your Microsoft account has the necessary permissions to access SNDS data.
- Monitor Infrastructure: Remain vigilant for signs of Microsoft infrastructure problems and consider contacting support if issues persist.
- Understand Limitations: Recognize that SNDS provides indicative data and can be subject to delays, exclusions, and inaccuracies.
- Document and Escalate: Thoroughly document issues and escalate to Microsoft support to advocate for improvements.
What email marketers say
7 marketer opinions
Microsoft SNDS data display and delays can stem from various factors including: login loop errors solvable via different browsers or incognito mode, IP reputation reporting inconsistencies, internal data processing issues within Microsoft, incorrect email authentication settings (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), insufficient sending volume to meet reporting thresholds, conflicts with other Microsoft services, account permission problems, recent changes in IP addresses or domains, Microsoft's infrastructure challenges, and the possibility of needing direct contact with Microsoft support for resolution.
Key opinions
- Login Issues: Login loop errors in SNDS may be resolved by using a different browser or incognito mode.
- Reputation & Processing: SNDS data delays could be due to inconsistencies in IP reputation reporting or internal data processing problems within Microsoft.
- Authentication Settings: Incorrect SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings can lead to data misrepresentation in SNDS.
- Data Synchronization: SNDS data synchronization issues could be caused by conflicts with other Microsoft services or account permission problems.
- Volume Thresholds: Insufficient email sending volume or lack of engagement with live Microsoft addresses may prevent data from displaying in SNDS.
- Infrastructure Problems: Delays or missing data can relate to Microsoft's infrastructure or system challenges.
- New Configurations: Recent changes in IP addresses or domains may cause delays until the new configuration is fully recognized by Microsoft's systems.
Key considerations
- Verify IP Registration: Ensure your IPs are correctly registered with Microsoft and monitor for any official announcements regarding SNDS issues.
- Check Authentication: Verify that your email authentication settings (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are correctly configured to ensure accurate data reporting in SNDS.
- Increase Volume: If possible, increase your sending volume to meet the minimum threshold required for data reporting in SNDS.
- Check Permissions: Ensure your Microsoft account has the necessary permissions to access SNDS data.
- Monitor for Updates: Keep an eye on Microsoft's official channels for any reported issues or maintenance activities affecting SNDS data processing.
- Contact Support: If issues persist, contact Microsoft support directly to report the problem and seek further assistance.
- Rule out infrastructure: Document issues and escalate to Microsoft support to push for infrastructure improvements.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit says that sometimes the data isn't there because you haven't sent enough email volume to trigger the thresholds or you haven't been sending email to live Microsoft addresses.
8 Apr 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit suggests that SNDS data delays could be due to inconsistencies in the IP address reputation reporting or Microsoft's internal data processing. They recommend verifying your IPs are correctly registered and checking for announcements from Microsoft.
11 Aug 2022 - Reddit
What the experts say
7 expert opinions
Microsoft SNDS data display issues and delays are frequently encountered, with data often stopping around the 5th of the month. Login errors, such as repeated authentication attempts, are common. The issues are attributed to the outdated infrastructure of SNDS and Microsoft's broader infrastructure challenges, leading to inconsistencies and reporting delays. Users have resorted to workarounds like using different browsers, incognito mode, or even dedicated VMs. Documenting issues and escalating to Microsoft support is recommended.
Key opinions
- Data Stoppage: SNDS data frequently stops being updated around the 5th of the month.
- Login Errors: Repeated authentication attempt errors are a common login issue.
- Outdated Infrastructure: The outdated SNDS infrastructure is a key factor contributing to data delays and login problems.
- Microsoft Infrastructure: Microsoft's infrastructure challenges are a larger factor causing inconsistencies and reporting delays in SNDS.
- Workarounds: Users employ workarounds like different browsers, incognito mode, or VMs to access SNDS.
Key considerations
- Monitor Data: Regularly monitor SNDS data and note when it stops updating.
- Try Workarounds: Attempt different browsers or incognito mode if login errors occur.
- Document Issues: Document any SNDS issues encountered, including specific error messages and dates.
- Escalate to Support: Escalate documented issues to Microsoft support to advocate for infrastructure improvements.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that Microsoft grafted the modern Microsoft login process on top of the 15+ year old SNDS site and it’s always been a bit buggy, and that you can’t actually log out from inside of SNDS, you always have to close windows and clear cookies.
20 May 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource highlights that SNDS experiences periodic issues, including data delays and login errors. He attributes this to the outdated infrastructure of the SNDS platform, suggesting it's a common occurrence. Workarounds, like using different browsers or incognito mode, may help with login problems.
7 Apr 2023 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Microsoft's official documentation states that SNDS data delays are due to processing times, potential system issues, filtering and aggregation processes affecting data accuracy, non-real-time updates occurring at specific intervals, system maintenance, and unforeseen data processing pipeline issues. Access is restricted to users with a Microsoft Account (MSA) associated with their sender IP reputation. SNDS data should be regarded as an indication rather than an absolute truth, acknowledging inherent delays and missing information.
Key findings
- Processing Delays: SNDS data is subject to processing times leading to delays.
- System Issues: Potential system issues can cause SNDS data delays.
- Filtering and Aggregation: Filtering and aggregation processes impact SNDS data accuracy.
- Non-Real-Time Updates: SNDS data is not updated in real-time, but at specific intervals.
- Maintenance Activities: System maintenance activities can cause SNDS data delays.
- MSA Requirement: Access to SNDS data requires a Microsoft Account (MSA) associated with the sender IP reputation.
- Indicative Data: SNDS data should be considered an indication rather than an absolute truth.
Key considerations
- Check Support Channels: Monitor official Microsoft support channels for reported outages or delays.
- Account Association: Ensure a Microsoft Account (MSA) is associated with your sender IP reputation.
- Understand Data Limitations: Recognize that SNDS data is not real-time and may be subject to inaccuracies due to filtering and aggregation.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Documentation states that SNDS data accuracy can be affected by filtering and aggregation processes. It may not reflect real-time sending activities and is subject to processing delays. Some data might be excluded based on internal Microsoft criteria.
11 May 2025 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Documentation notes that SNDS data is not updated in real-time; updates occur at specific intervals. Delays can happen if there are system maintenance activities or unforeseen issues in data processing pipelines.
25 Apr 2023 - Microsoft Documentation
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