How to resolve Microsoft email blocks when SNDS shows normal status?

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that SNDS showing normal status while being blocked by Microsoft is not unusual. He advises checking the ESP's activity log for block responses and analyzing available data like open rates and complaints for changes building up to the incident. He also shares strategies for dealing with questionable acquisition channels, such as incentivizing users to provide valid emails by offering something like a special report or by only providing valuable content (like quotes) via email to ensure email validity, potentially applying this selectively based on the acquisition channel's risk.

Email marketer from Email Geeks clarifies that SNDS showing green IPs does not guarantee 100% inbox placement. He provides the Microsoft delisting form link (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/supportrequestform/8ad563e3-288e-2a61-8122-3ba03d6b8d75) and confirms that one form is sufficient for all Microsoft domains. He suggests looking into compliance issues and explains that significant volume increases, especially from small beginnings, can definitely scare Microsoft. He also advises on handling Microsoft support, specifically recommending polite follow-ups to escalate the issue if the initial response is unhelpful.

Expert from Email Geeks advises obtaining detailed block messages from the ESP. She clarifies that while one Microsoft unblock form typically suffices, Office365 has a separate form. She suggests that extreme volume swings (multiples of regular volume) might cause blocks but emphasizes looking much harder at paid media acquisition channels. She provides detailed steps for escalating issues with Microsoft support: replying to boilerplate messages, restating the need, and asking for escalation to get a different person to review. She highlights that certain paid acquisition methods might make it impossible to get into Microsoft inboxes and strongly advises ensuring collected addresses belong to opted-in users, as Microsoft will block mail to invalid addresses. She suggests implementing mechanisms where users only receive valuable content, like quotes, if they provide a valid email address to reduce abuse and ensure email validity.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that if Microsoft blocks emails even when SNDS data appears good, the problem often lies with recipient behavior rather than solely IP reputation. Factors like high user complaints, spam trap hits, low engagement rates, or content triggering filters can lead to blocks. To resolve this, senders should prioritize list hygiene, implement re-engagement campaigns for inactive subscribers, and ensure all content is desired and relevant to the recipient. Ultimately, poor performance metrics signal to Microsoft that the mail is unwanted, prompting blocking despite a seemingly normal SNDS status.

Documentation from Microsoft Learn explains that Exchange Online Protection (EOP) employs multiple layers of filtering. While SNDS provides IP reputation, email blocks can still occur due to factors like content analysis, user complaints, or poor domain reputation, even if the IP status in SNDS is normal, as IP reputation is just one signal among many.

Documentation from Microsoft Learn clarifies that a 'Normal' SNDS status primarily reflects IP reputation and volume, but emails can still be filtered or blocked if the sending domain has a poor reputation, the content is deemed spammy by their filters, or recipients mark messages as junk. SNDS serves as a diagnostic tool, not a guarantee of inbox delivery.