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Summary

Microsoft email blocks can be a significant hurdle for senders, especially when the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) dashboard indicates a normal status. This situation can be perplexing, as SNDS is generally considered a reliable indicator of an IP's reputation with Microsoft properties like Outlook.com and Hotmail.com. Despite a 'normal' or 'green' status in SNDS, emails might still face blocking or severe throttling, leading to zero delivery rates for certain domains. This discrepancy often points to issues beyond general IP reputation, such as sudden volume spikes, content quality, or recipient engagement patterns, particularly with transactional or paid acquisition email streams. Understanding the nuances of Microsoft's filtering mechanisms is crucial for effective remediation, as relying solely on SNDS data can be misleading.

What email marketers say

Email marketers often face significant frustration when Microsoft blocks their emails, even when SNDS reports a clean status. This perplexing scenario highlights that SNDS data, while useful, doesn't always reflect the immediate blocking actions taken by Microsoft's intricate filtering systems. Many marketers attribute these blocks to factors such as sudden volume changes, problematic traffic sources leading to invalid or disengaged email addresses, and the general complexity of maintaining a good sending reputation with Microsoft domains (like Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, and Live.com). The consensus among marketers suggests a multi-faceted approach to troubleshooting, focusing on deep dives into bounce messages, diligent contact list hygiene, and persistent communication with Microsoft support.

Marketer view

An Email Geeks marketer shares their ongoing frustration with Microsoft, noting that Microsoft's filtering often leads to blocks even when SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) shows a normal status for their IPs. They suggest that the S3150 block message is a common occurrence in their experience.

29 Oct 2019 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

A marketer on a forum suggests that their emails to Hotmail, Outlook, and MSN domains all faced zero delivery, despite SNDS reporting normal status. They indicate that they had to consult their ESP's activity logs to confirm specific block messages from Microsoft.

15 Mar 2023 - Reddit

What the experts say

Email deliverability experts frequently observe that Microsoft's filtering can be highly aggressive and less transparent than other major ISPs, making it particularly challenging to diagnose and resolve blocks, even when SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) data appears normal. Experts emphasize that SNDS offers a general overview of IP health but does not capture the real-time, granular reputation signals that might trigger a block. The consensus among experts points to a combination of factors, including list quality, sudden volume spikes, and recipient engagement, as more influential than a green SNDS status. They advocate for a proactive approach, involving meticulous data analysis, strategic list hygiene, and persistent communication with Microsoft's support channels to navigate these complex blocking scenarios.

Expert view

An expert from Email Geeks confirms that it is common for SNDS to show a normal status even when emails are being blocked by Microsoft. They highlight that SNDS primarily offers an IP status (green, yellow, red) but doesn't guarantee full inbox delivery.

29 Oct 2019 - Email Geeks

Expert view

An expert from Spam Resource advises looking beyond simple open tracking when troubleshooting email deliverability issues, especially with Microsoft. They recommend checking other available data, such as Google Postmaster Tools (GPT) to identify underlying changes in opens or complaints that might precede an incident.

10 Aug 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says

Official Microsoft documentation and related resources highlight that while SNDS (Smart Network Data Services) provides valuable insights into IP reputation, it is not the sole determinant of email deliverability to Microsoft domains. Documentation often outlines various other factors, including content quality, sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and adherence to their sender guidelines, which collectively influence inbox placement or blocking decisions. Block messages, such as S3150, indicate specific blocklist listings, necessitating direct delisting requests and a review of sending practices. The documentation frequently emphasizes proactive compliance to avoid reputation issues that lead to blocks, even when SNDS might appear benign.

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft's Postmaster site explains that the Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) portal allows senders to monitor the 'health' of their IP addresses, including data on volume, complaint rates, and spam trap hits. However, it also clarifies that the green/yellow/red statuses are general indicators and more specific block details might be found in bounce messages.

10 Apr 2024 - Microsoft Postmaster

Technical article

A knowledge base article from a support portal details that if an IP address is blocked by Microsoft with a specific error code (e.g., S3150), it means a portion of the network is on their blocklist. It directs users to Microsoft's delisting form as the primary method for resolution.

10 Aug 2023 - HighLevel Support Portal

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