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How to improve email deliverability to Outlook.com and Microsoft email services?

Summary

Improving email deliverability to Outlook.com and other Microsoft email services like Hotmail, Live.com, and MSN.com can be a persistent challenge for email senders. Even with proper authentication like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in place, messages can still be instantly junked, indicating deeper issues with sender reputation and adherence to Microsoft's stringent filtering policies.

What email marketers say

Email marketers often face significant hurdles when trying to achieve consistent inbox placement with Microsoft services. Their experiences highlight the need for a nuanced approach that goes beyond basic technical compliance, focusing heavily on sender reputation management and recipient engagement.

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks advises that rebuilding domain reputation can be effective. This involves a temporary halt in sending, then gradually increasing volume from a small initial batch, such as 50 messages, while carefully monitoring progress.

20 Jan 2021 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from SendLayer highlights the importance of setting up proper email authentication, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, as a foundational step to improve deliverability to Outlook email addresses.

20 Apr 2025 - SendLayer

What the experts say

Email deliverability experts consistently highlight that Microsoft's email filters are among the most stringent, demanding a higher standard of sending practices compared to other email service providers. Their advice often centers on reputation, permission, and the futility of seeking special treatment.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks states that Microsoft has a strict policy against offering special treatment, with lawyers prohibiting employees from interacting outside designated support processes to ensure fairness.

21 Jan 2021 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from SpamResource often discusses that even with good intentions, technical nuances like SPF DNS timeouts can lead to email failures at Microsoft, which are difficult to diagnose without specific insights.

01 Nov 2024 - SpamResource

What the documentation says

Official documentation from Microsoft and related technical resources emphasize adherence to specific sender guidelines and best practices to ensure email deliverability. These often include strict requirements for authentication, list management, and content to combat spam and protect user experience.

Technical article

Documentation from TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM states that compliant senders frequently experience enhanced deliverability, fewer bounce-backs, and improved brand credibility by adhering to Outlook's new requirements for high-volume senders.

10 Jan 2025 - TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM

Technical article

Documentation from Mailgun states that optimizing tools and services can significantly improve email deliverability and help meet Microsoft's new sender requirements for 2025.

01 Jan 2025 - Mailgun

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