Managing IP addresses within Microsoft's Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) can be complex, especially when IPs are already associated with another account. This situation often leads to limited access, such as being stuck in a 'view-only' mode for an IP feed, which prevents critical actions like accessing feedback loop data. The core challenge stems from authorization issues, where an IP (or an entire range) might be linked to a previous owner or a different organizational account within SNDS, hindering your ability to take full control.
Key findings
Authorization: If some IPs in a SNDS feed are unauthorized, the entire feed may default to a 'view-only' status, preventing management actions like deleting or adding IPs.
Existing Associations: An IP being 'already added to another account' in SNDS means it's still linked to a previous owner or a different organization. This prevents your current account from gaining full control, including crucial feedback loop access.
Re-authorization Process: To resolve this, you typically need to re-authorize all IPs within the affected feed. This involves using the 'Request Access' panel in SNDS and validating the request via an email sent to the authorized entity's mailbox.
Persistence of Issues: Simply deleting and revalidating a single IP might not work if other IPs in the associated range remain unauthorized or linked to the old account.
Key considerations
Comprehensive Audit: Before attempting re-authorization, conduct a thorough audit of all IPs in the problematic feed to identify every unauthorized IP. This proactive step helps streamline the resolution process.
Contacting Previous Owners: If you've acquired IPs from a previous entity, you might need to coordinate with them to release their existing SNDS association. Microsoft's documentation on Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) provides additional context.
SNDS Support: If standard authorization methods fail, or if validation emails are not received, direct engagement with Microsoft SNDS support is essential.
Email marketers frequently encounter frustrating scenarios where their IP addresses are tied to another account in Microsoft SNDS, limiting their access and hindering deliverability. The sentiment often revolves around a desire for full control over their sending infrastructure to ensure optimal inbox placement and manage feedback loops effectively. Many find themselves in a 'view-only' bind, unable to fully leverage SNDS data for troubleshooting and reputation management.
Key opinions
Frustration with Limited Access: Many marketers express frustration when their IPs are 'view-only' in SNDS, especially if it prevents access to critical feedback loop data.
Desire for Full Control: The primary goal is to gain complete control over their IPs in SNDS, including the ability to manage and delete IPs, and access full reporting.
Challenges with Re-validation: Marketers often try simple solutions like deleting and re-validating IPs, only to find the issue persists due to lingering associations with other accounts.
Impact on Deliverability: Limited SNDS access directly impacts their ability to diagnose and fix deliverability issues, potentially leading to more emails landing in the spam folder or being blocklisted.
Key considerations
Verify Authorization Status: Always double-check if all IPs in a given feed are authorized. Even one unauthorized IP can restrict access to the entire feed, a common pitfall when resolving SNDS related issues.
Request Access Panel: Actively use the SNDS 'Request Access' panel for IPs that are not fully under your control. This is the primary mechanism for gaining authorization.
Email Validation: Be prepared to complete the validation process via email. Ensure the designated mailbox for validation is accessible and monitored.
Coordination with Providers: If you're using an ESP or a hosting provider, they might be the ones who need to manage SNDS access. Clarify roles and responsibilities to avoid issues with Microsoft deliverability when shared IPs are involved.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks notes that they have a problem with SNDS where some IPs are in 'view-only' mode, preventing them from accessing the feedback loop. They need to gain full control over these IPs, which are currently associated with another account.
18 Apr 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks tried deleting and revalidating the problematic IP, but the same 'view-only' issue persists in SNDS. This indicates a deeper authorization problem rather than a simple misconfiguration.
18 Apr 2024 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
Email deliverability experts consistently emphasize that achieving full control over IPs in Microsoft SNDS is paramount for effective sender reputation management and feedback loop access. They often point out that 'view-only' access is a symptom of incomplete authorization across the entire IP feed. Their guidance focuses on systematic authorization, diligent monitoring of the SNDS platform, and direct communication with Microsoft support when automated solutions fall short. The consensus is that a meticulous approach to IP management within SNDS is crucial to prevent deliverability bottlenecks.
Key opinions
Holistic Authorization: An expert from Email Geeks states that all IPs in a feed must be authorized to gain full management access, as even one unauthorized IP can restrict the entire feed to 'view-only'.
Importance of Request Access Panel: Experts recommend using the SNDS 'Request Access' panel as the primary method to authorize missing IPs.
Validation Process: An expert from Email Geeks highlights that successful authorization requires selecting a mailbox and receiving a confirmation message to complete the process.
Direct Support: If the self-service options fail, contacting SNDS support directly is the recommended next step.
Key considerations
Verify All IPs: Always confirm that all IPs within a specific feed or range are correctly authorized. Overlooking even one IP can lead to persistent access issues, which is common in SNDS IP blocking scenarios.
Communicate with ESPs: If using an email service provider, understand their process for managing SNDS access and ensure seamless coordination. This helps prevent issues like shared IP reputation declines.
Proactive Monitoring: Regularly monitor your IP status in SNDS. Early detection of unauthorized IPs or 'view-only' feeds can prevent major deliverability disruptions.
Understand Microsoft Blocklists: Be aware of Microsoft's internal blocklists and how they relate to SNDS data for a holistic view of your sending reputation.
Expert view
Email deliverability expert from Email Geeks advises that if some IPs in your feed are no longer authorized in the Access Control panel, the feed will likely only be viewable. Authorizing these missing IPs via the Request Access panel should make the feed manageable again.
18 Apr 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Email deliverability expert from Email Geeks clarifies that you will not be able to delete any IPs in a feed until all of them are authorized. They recommend identifying and authorizing all currently unauthorized IPs within the feed.
18 Apr 2024 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
Official documentation for Microsoft SNDS outlines specific procedures for IP management, including authorization and gaining access to data. These documents clarify that full control over an IP feed, including feedback loop access, is contingent upon complete and verified ownership of all associated IP ranges. The system is designed to prevent unauthorized access, meaning any existing association with another account must be properly relinquished or transferred through formal processes. While the documentation provides the framework, navigating complex scenarios often requires adherence to the precise steps for requesting access and validating ownership.
Key findings
SNDS Registration: To fully utilize SNDS services like feedback loops, IPs must be properly registered and authorized to the correct account.
Access Control: The SNDS Access Control panel is where IP authorization status is managed. An IP that is not fully authorized will result in limited 'view-only' access.
Ownership Verification: Microsoft requires verification of IP ownership via specific mailboxes to grant full access, ensuring that only legitimate senders can manage the IP's reputation data.
Concurrent Associations: If an IP is already associated with another account, the system prioritizes existing authorization, making it difficult for new owners to gain control without the prior owner's action or direct Microsoft intervention.
Key considerations
Adhere to Protocols: Always follow Microsoft's stated procedures for IP registration and authorization within SNDS. Deviations can lead to persistent 'view-only' issues.
Complete Authorization: Ensure all IP addresses within a range or feed are explicitly authorized. Partial authorization can lead to overall limited access, impacting your ability to troubleshoot deliverability issues.
Utilize Support Channels: If self-service options fail, Microsoft documentation often directs users to contact their SNDS support team for complex ownership disputes or technical roadblocks. This is vital when SNDS IP review auto-replies are not resolving the issue.
Understand Blocklists: Microsoft's internal blocklists are connected to SNDS. Understanding how IPs get listed helps in preventing and remediating blockages, even if the primary issue is 'view-only' access to the data.
Technical article
Microsoft SNDS documentation indicates that to activate full service, including feedback loops, users need to register their IPs. Once registered, detailed data becomes available, suggesting that partial access implies incomplete registration or authorization.
15 Jan 2024 - inGuide
Technical article
According to Twilio SendGrid's SNDS insights, to add more IPs to an account, users might need to wait for the initial set of IPs to receive full access. This implies a queuing or sequential authorization process that must be completed before gaining full control over new additions.