Summary
Understanding the volume requirements for Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) and the historical Goodmail Trust Network (GPT) is important for email deliverability. For SNDS, Microsoft states a 'sufficient volume' is needed but doesn't specify a number. Practical experience suggests consistently sending a few hundred emails daily to Outlook.com is often enough to activate data, with some sources indicating data may not appear for volumes under 100 messages daily. Consistency in sending is emphasized over sheer volume. The Goodmail Trust Network (GPT) is no longer active, but historically, its reported volume requirements varied from 100 to thousands of messages per day, focusing on legitimate sending practices for certification. Both services could remove an IP's data visibility due to a poor reputation.
Key findings
- SNDS Volume is Undefined: Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) requires a 'sufficient volume of mail' to Outlook.com, but does not publish a concrete numerical threshold. Anecdotal evidence suggests that consistently sending a few hundred emails per day is often enough to begin seeing data.
- SNDS Minimums: Some insights indicate that mail traffic and spam data may not be present for IPs sending less than 100 messages daily to Outlook.com, suggesting a practical minimum for SNDS.
- GPT Historical Requirements Varied: Historically, for the Goodmail Trust Network (GPT), reported daily message requirements varied, with some sources suggesting 100, others 1,000, and others 'thousands' of messages daily, though its certification focused on demonstrating legitimate sending practices.
- Data Disappearance: For SNDS, if an IP's sending volume to Outlook.com significantly decreases or becomes sporadic, the data may stop being reported, indicating a need for continuous sufficient volume for ongoing visibility.
Key considerations
- Consistency is Key: For both SNDS and, historically, GPT, consistent daily sending is more crucial than sending a large, sporadic volume. Sustained activity allows the systems to gather and present comprehensive data.
- Reputation Impact: Beyond volume, an IP's reputation significantly affects data visibility; a poor reputation can lead to an IP losing its ability to see data in SNDS or, historically, GPT.
- Goodmail Trust Network Status: The Goodmail Trust Network (GPT) is no longer an active service. Therefore, its historical volume requirements are no longer relevant for current email deliverability strategies.
What email marketers say
15 marketer opinions
Accessing data from Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) hinges on sending a 'sufficient volume' of email to Outlook.com, a term Microsoft leaves undefined numerically. Yet, real-world observations indicate that consistently sending several hundred messages per day is typically enough for an IP's data to appear. Conversely, volumes below 100 daily messages may not register any data. The continuous presence of SNDS data relies heavily on sustained, consistent sending activity, as any significant drop or inconsistency can lead to data discontinuation. Regarding the historical Goodmail Trust Network (GPT), which is now defunct, anecdotal daily volume figures ranged from 100 to 1,000 messages, though its core mission involved verifying legitimate sending practices through consistent email activity.
Key opinions
- SNDS Volume Thresholds: While Microsoft states a 'sufficient volume' is needed for Smart Network Data Services (SNDS), practical insights suggest consistently sending a few hundred emails daily to Outlook.com is often enough, with some sources indicating data may not appear for volumes under 100 messages daily.
- GPT Historical Range: For the now-defunct Goodmail Trust Network (GPT), historical anecdotal volume requirements varied, with figures cited between 100 and 1,000 messages daily, though its primary focus was on certifying consistent, legitimate sending practices.
- Consistency for Data Visibility: Sustained, consistent email volume to Outlook.com is crucial for continuous data visibility in SNDS; sporadic or significantly reduced sending can cause existing data to stop being reported.
Key considerations
- Prioritize Consistent Volume: For SNDS, maintaining a consistent daily volume of email to Outlook.com is more critical than sending large, infrequent bursts, as sustained activity ensures ongoing data collection and comprehensive insights.
- Monitor for Data Drops: Senders should actively monitor their SNDS data, as a significant decrease or sporadic nature in email volume to Outlook.com can lead to data no longer being reported, hindering reputation management.
- GPT is Obsolete: The Goodmail Trust Network (GPT) is no longer an active service, rendering its historical volume requirements irrelevant for contemporary email deliverability strategies.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that for SNDS, mail traffic and spam data may not be present for IPs which sent less than 100 messages daily, and suggests GPT should have similar requirements.
16 Feb 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares their knowledge that GPT requires 1000 messages a day.
10 Feb 2022 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Understanding the specific volume requirements for gaining access to data from Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) and Google Postmaster Tools is essential for email senders. For SNDS, there are no published minimum volume thresholds, meaning an IP sending mail to Outlook.com should eventually see its data appear. In contrast, Google Postmaster Tools requires a significant daily sending volume, typically 'thousands' of messages per domain or IP, to display data, though an exact figure is not disclosed. A crucial point for both services is that a poor sending reputation can lead to an IP losing its ability to view data, regardless of volume.
Key opinions
- SNDS Has No Explicit Volume Minimum: Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) does not state a specific minimum volume for an IP address to begin receiving data; any IP sending to Outlook.com should eventually appear.
- Google Postmaster Tools Requires High Volume: Google Postmaster Tools demands a substantial minimum sending volume, often cited as 'thousands' of messages per day per domain or IP, for data to be visible.
- Google's Volume Figure Undisclosed: Google does not publicly provide an exact numerical figure for the daily message volume required to access data within Postmaster Tools.
- Reputation Impacts Data Access for Both: Both SNDS and Google Postmaster Tools can remove an IP's access to its data if that IP is deemed to have a poor sending reputation.
Key considerations
- Sustain High Volume for Google Postmaster Tools: To ensure data visibility in Google Postmaster Tools, senders must maintain a consistent high volume, typically in the thousands of messages daily, as insufficient volume will result in no data display.
- Prioritize Reputation Management: Diligent management of sending reputation is paramount, as a poor reputation can lead to the loss of data access in both Microsoft SNDS and Google Postmaster Tools, irrespective of volume.
- Data Absence vs. Eventual Appearance: For Google Postmaster Tools, a low sending volume means data simply will not be displayed, whereas for SNDS, data is expected to eventually appear even without a published minimum.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks adds that SNDS or GPT can also remove an IP's ability to see data if they are deemed to have too poor a reputation.
1 Oct 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that for Microsoft SNDS, there are no specific volume requirements for an IP to start receiving data; any IP sending mail to Outlook.com should eventually appear. For Google Postmaster Tools, a minimum sending volume is required for each domain or IP to see data, typically "thousands" of messages per day, although Google does not publish an exact figure. If volume is too low, data will not be displayed.
31 Jul 2022 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Regarding volume requirements for Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS), documentation from Outlook.com Postmaster and Microsoft Learn consistently indicates that an IP must send a 'sufficient volume of mail to Outlook.com or MSN'. While this threshold is crucial for gaining access to valuable data for diagnosing delivery issues and assessing mail health, a concrete numerical figure is not disclosed by Microsoft. The provided information focuses exclusively on SNDS, and does not specify any volume requirements for the Goodmail Trust Network (GPT).
Key findings
- SNDS Volume is Undefined: Microsoft's documentation consistently states that for an IP to qualify for Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) data, it must send a 'sufficient volume of mail' to Outlook.com or MSN, without specifying a concrete numerical threshold.
- SNDS Supports Mail Health: Access to SNDS data, based on this sufficient volume, provides critical insights for senders to diagnose delivery issues and understand the health of their email sending to Outlook.com.
- GPT Details Omitted: The provided information from Microsoft documentation solely pertains to Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) and does not contain details about volume requirements for the Goodmail Trust Network (GPT).
Key considerations
- Interpreting Sufficient Volume: Senders should understand that Microsoft's definition of 'sufficient volume' for SNDS is intentionally vague, meaning there is no publicly stated numerical guideline to meet the requirement.
- SNDS for Diagnostics: The core purpose of SNDS data, which becomes available after meeting the 'sufficient volume' criterion, is to help senders diagnose deliverability problems and understand their email program's overall health.
- GPT Info Not Provided: The provided documentation exclusively addresses volume requirements for Microsoft's SNDS and does not offer any details regarding the Goodmail Trust Network (GPT).
Technical article
Documentation from Outlook.com Postmaster explains that for an IP to qualify for Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) data, it must send a 'sufficient volume of mail to Outlook.com'.
14 Dec 2024 - Outlook.com Postmaster
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Learn confirms that Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) provides data for sending IPs that have sent 'a sufficient volume of mail to Outlook.com or MSN', without specifying a concrete numerical threshold.
24 Aug 2024 - Microsoft Learn
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