How does SenderScore collect domain association data?

SenderScore aggregates data from a vast network of ISPs and anti-spam organizations, analyzing billions of emails. It primarily looks at sender information in email headers, such as the Return-Path and From domains, to associate sending domains with specific IP addresses.

Can SenderScore show domains I don't recognize on my IP?

Yes, it is possible. This often happens due to shared IP addresses where multiple domains send from the same IP, or if an IP was previously used by another sender. Sometimes, spoofed emails or historical data can also lead to unfamiliar domains appearing.

Does an inaccurate domain association affect my SenderScore?

While the associated domains list itself doesn't directly dictate your SenderScore, a high volume of problematic domains linked to your IP can reflect poorly on its overall reputation. ISPs increasingly consider domain reputation alongside IP reputation for deliverability decisions.

What should I do if I see unrelated domains on my IP's SenderScore?

If you see unrelated domains, first contact your Email Service Provider (ESP) to clarify IP usage. Review your own sending logs for any unauthorized activity. Also, cross-reference the information with other tools like Microsoft SNDS or Google Postmaster Tools to get a broader view.

Is SenderScore the only metric for email reputation?

No, SenderScore is one of many reputation metrics. While it's a good general indicator, you should also monitor your domain reputation through tools like Google Postmaster Tools, track your inbox placement rates, and monitor for any blocklist (blacklist) appearances .

How accurate is SenderScore's domain association with specific IP addresses? - Sender reputation - Email deliverability - Knowledge base

SenderScore, provided by Validity, is widely recognized as a benchmark for email sender reputation. It aggregates data to give an IP address a score between 0 and 100, indicating its trustworthiness. However, a common question arises regarding the accuracy of SenderScore's association of specific IP addresses with particular domains. Many senders, especially those managing their own infrastructure or using dedicated IPs, sometimes find unexpected domain associations reported by SenderScore.

This discrepancy can be confusing and concerning. I often hear from clients who see domains they don't recognize linked to their IPs, leading to worries about unauthorized sending or data inaccuracies. Understanding how SenderScore gathers and attributes this data is crucial for interpreting its reports and taking appropriate action.

How SenderScore determines domain-IP associations

SenderScore's methodology for associating domains with IP addresses is primarily based on the vast amount of email traffic Validity observes across its network of internet service providers (ISPs) and anti-spam organizations. This extensive data collection allows them to see what domains are sending email from which IP addresses. The core of their system involves processing billions of messages daily, analyzing various email headers and metadata.

The association often relies on fields like the Return-Path (or Mail From) domain, the From header, and even DNS records associated with the sending IP, such as PTR records. This comprehensive approach aims to build a robust profile of an IP's sending behavior and the domains it serves. You can learn more about how they aggregate data by checking the SenderScore's mission statement.

The goal is to accurately reflect the reputation of an IP address by understanding who is sending from it. However, the sheer volume and complexity of global email traffic mean that perfect accuracy can be elusive, leading to occasional discrepancies.

Why perceived inaccuracies occur

While SenderScore strives for accuracy, several factors can lead to perceived inaccuracies or false positives in its domain-IP associations. One of the most common reasons is the use of shared IP addresses by Email Service Providers (ESPs). If your ESP uses a shared IP pool, your IP address might be sending email for many different domains simultaneously, making it difficult to isolate your activity. Even with dedicated IPs, a provider might reassign an IP that was previously used by another domain, and SenderScore's historical data may still reflect those older associations.

Another factor is the nature of data collection itself. SenderScore's observations include emails seen by their partners, which might include spoofed emails where malicious actors impersonate legitimate domains. While email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC aim to prevent this, some spoofed messages might still be observed and incorrectly attributed. Furthermore, the data isn't always real-time; it reflects activity over a specific historical period, which means recent changes to your sending infrastructure might not be immediately updated.

In some rare cases, technical glitches or temporary outages on SenderScore's side could also lead to displaying inaccurate data, though this is less common. It is important to know that these issues often don't directly correlate with a drop in your deliverability if your own sending practices are sound. We discuss more about why SenderScore might show inaccurate or low scores in another article.

Impact on deliverability and troubleshooting

The question of whether an inaccurate domain association impacts your actual email deliverability is complex. While SenderScore primarily provides an IP reputation score, many ISPs are increasingly focusing on domain reputation as the primary indicator of trustworthiness. However, the domains associated with an IP can indirectly influence its perceived reputation. If an IP is consistently linked to known spamming domains, it will negatively affect its SenderScore, regardless of your specific domain's practices. This highlights the importance of understanding the difference between domain and IP reputation.

IP reputation

Determined by the sending behavior of the specific IP address. Factors include bounce rates, spam complaints, and volume of mail.

Primary focus of SenderScore. A lower IP score impacts all domains using that IP.

Domain reputation

Influenced by the sender domain's authentication, content quality, and recipient engagement. This is tied to your brand.

Crucial for inbox placement. Even with a good IP, poor domain reputation can lead to spam folder delivery.

If you observe discrepancies or concerning associated domains on SenderScore, it's wise to investigate, but avoid immediate panic. Here are key troubleshooting steps:

Troubleshooting SenderScore discrepancies

Contact your ESP: They can verify if other domains are indeed sending from your dedicated IP or if there's a historical reason for the association.
Review your logs: Check your own sending logs for any unauthorized traffic or unusual activity.
Check other reputation tools: Cross-reference data with Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) and Google Postmaster Tools. These tools provide direct feedback from major mailbox providers.
Monitor deliverability: The ultimate indicator is your actual inbox placement. If your emails are consistently reaching the inbox and your engagement metrics are good, the SenderScore discrepancy might not be causing a direct problem.

Navigating SenderScore's insights

Navigating SenderScore's insights requires a nuanced understanding. While the IP-domain association data might not be 100% precise in every edge case, it remains a valuable indicator of potential issues or historical activity tied to an IP. If unrelated domains appear, especially those with poor reputations, it could signal that the IP had a checkered past or is (less likely) being improperly used.

The key is to use SenderScore as one data point within a broader email deliverability strategy. Its primary function is to give you an idea of your IP's overall reputation. Paired with other monitoring tools and careful analysis of your own sending data, it helps form a complete picture of your email program's health. The following table outlines some key data points and their relevance.

Data point	Description	Relevance to SenderScore Accuracy
Spam complaints	Number of recipients marking emails as spam.	Directly impacts reputation, regardless of domain association.
Bounces (Hard/Soft)	Emails that couldn't be delivered to recipient inboxes.	High rates indicate poor list hygiene, affecting IP and domain scores.
Volume & Consistency	The amount and regularity of emails sent from an IP.	Sudden spikes or drops can negatively impact IP reputation.
Email Authentication	Proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.	Crucial for domain reputation and preventing spoofing.
Blocklist status	Presence on any email blocklist (or blacklist).	Being blocklisted severely degrades IP reputation and deliverability.

Views from the trenches

Best practices

Continuously monitor your email sending logs and metrics for any unusual activity.

Regularly check your SenderScore in conjunction with other reputation tools like Google Postmaster Tools.

Communicate proactively with your Email Service Provider (ESP) about any observed discrepancies.

Ensure your email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is correctly configured and aligned.

Common pitfalls

Over-relying solely on SenderScore's associated domains list as the definitive source of truth.

Ignoring unexpected domain associations without investigating possible underlying causes.

Assuming a low SenderScore is only due to your own sending without considering shared IP history.

Failing to implement or properly configure email authentication protocols for your domains.

Expert tips

Understand that external reputation tools use various data sources, some of which may include spoofed data.

Prioritize your actual inbox placement rates and engagement metrics over perceived inaccuracies in third-party tools.

Acknowledge that IP history, especially with shared IPs, can influence observed domain associations.

Focus on maintaining strong domain reputation, as it often carries more weight with ISPs than IP reputation alone.

Expert view

An expert from Email Geeks notes that external parties finding who is sending from a given IP is challenging, and this can lead to spoofed data in datasets, so 100% accuracy for associated domains is unlikely.

2024-02-20 - Email Geeks

Expert view

An expert from Email Geeks observed that the "associated domains" list is historically largely accurate, especially when based on return-path domains, but also recognizes many potential sources of inaccuracy.

2024-02-16 - Email Geeks

Summary: Interpreting SenderScore's insights

SenderScore's domain association with specific IP addresses offers valuable insights, but it's not without its complexities. While the data is largely credible, nuances like shared IP pools, historical IP usage, and the nature of data observation can lead to what appears to be inaccurate information.

Ultimately, your true email deliverability is best reflected by your inbox placement rates and recipient engagement, rather than solely by third-party reputation data. Use SenderScore as part of a comprehensive monitoring strategy, but always prioritize direct observation of your email performance and proactive communication with your ESP.