Summary
The responses address how to resolve Office 365 SCL rating issues for corporate emails sent from Google Workspace, covering authentication, sender reputation, content, and infrastructure. Key steps include implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC; monitoring IP addresses for blocklisting and ensuring valid reverse DNS records; segmenting email lists; gradual IP warming; cleaning email lists and removing inactive subscribers; using feedback loops to identify and remove problem subscribers; providing easy unsubscribe options; avoiding spam trigger words; monitoring SCL ratings; using dedicated IPs; and separating transactional from marketing emails. It is also important to acknowledge limitations in direct support from Microsoft and to use data-driven solutions. There is also an emphasis on the importance of checking for compromised accounts.
Key findings
- Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC): Implementing and correctly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for verifying sender identity and improving sender reputation.
- Sender Reputation: Sender reputation impacts SCL ratings, influenced by sending volume, complaint rates, engagement, and list hygiene.
- IP Address Management: Monitoring IP addresses for blocklisting, ensuring valid reverse DNS records, and gradually warming up IPs are important for reputation.
- Email List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning email lists by removing inactive subscribers and providing easy unsubscribe options reduces spam complaints.
- Content Optimization: Avoiding spam trigger words, providing valuable content, and segmenting email types improves deliverability.
- Feedback Loops (FBLs): Participating in Microsoft's Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) helps identify and address spam complaints.
- SCL Monitoring: Monitoring SCL ratings helps identify and address deliverability issues proactively.
- Microsoft Support Access: Direct free support from Microsoft is limited; consider leveraging support contracts or Gold partners.
- Compromised Accounts: Someone's account may have been compromised.
Key considerations
- Assess Authentication Setup: Verify that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured for all sending domains.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Monitor sender reputation metrics and address factors negatively impacting it.
- Optimize Email Content: Refine email content to avoid spam triggers and provide relevant, valuable information.
- Implement List Hygiene Practices: Implement a process for regularly cleaning and maintaining subscriber lists.
- Join Microsoft JMRP: Enroll in Microsoft's Junk Mail Reporting Program to receive feedback on spam complaints.
- Monitor SCL Ratings: Proactively monitor SCL ratings and address any deliverability issues promptly.
- Evaluate Support Options: Assess the level of Microsoft support available and consider using partners for support tickets.
- Address Potential Account Compromises: Investigate any potential compromised accounts.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
The primary issue addressed is how to resolve Office 365 SCL (Spam Confidence Level) rating problems when sending corporate emails from Google Workspace. Multiple strategies are suggested, including addressing content, deliverability practices, support and communication practices and IP infrastructure practices. These strategies span support/communication practices, warming up IPs gradually, cleaning email lists, using feedback loops, authentication, ensuring accessible unsubscribe options, improving content quality, monitoring SCL ratings, using dedicated IPs for higher volume, and segmenting transactional from marketing emails. These address a range of issues from general deliverability to MSFT specific concerns
Key opinions
- Microsoft Support: For direct Microsoft support, leverage existing support contracts or Microsoft Gold partners to submit tickets on your behalf. Understand that direct free support is limited.
- SCL Determination: SCL ratings are determined by mail servers using anti-spam filters based on factors like spammy content and sender reputation.
- IP Warming: Gradually warming up IP addresses by slowly increasing email volume can build a positive reputation with Microsoft.
- Feedback Loops: Signing up for feedback loops with Microsoft allows you to identify and remove subscribers who mark your emails as spam.
- List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning email lists by removing inactive subscribers improves sender reputation and deliverability.
- Unsubscribe Options: Providing easy and accessible unsubscribe links reduces spam complaints and improves sender reputation.
- Email Content: Relevant and engaging email content without spammy keywords improves deliverability.
- SCL Monitoring: Monitoring SCL ratings using tools helps identify and proactively address deliverability issues.
- Dedicated IPs: Using dedicated IP addresses isolates your sending reputation and provides more control over deliverability.
- Email Segmentation: Segmenting transactional emails from marketing emails maintains a positive reputation for critical communications.
Key considerations
- Support Access: Consider the level of Microsoft support available and explore leveraging partners for support tickets.
- Content Review: Regularly review email content for spam triggers and ensure it provides value to recipients.
- Deliverability Practices: Implement best practices for email deliverability, including IP warming, list hygiene, and easy unsubscribe options.
- Monitoring: Continuously monitor SCL ratings and use feedback loops to proactively address deliverability issues.
- Infrastructure: Evaluate the need for dedicated IPs and proper authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for improved control and reputation.
Marketer view
Email Marketer from Litmus answers on the importance of separating transactional emails from marketing emails. This helps maintain a positive reputation for transactional emails, ensuring they are delivered reliably.
14 Feb 2025 - Litmus
Marketer view
Email Marketer from Microsoft Learn explains that SCL is determined by the mail server using anti-spam filters, which assess message characteristics like spammy words, sender reputation, and content. High SCL values indicate a higher probability of spam.
17 Feb 2024 - Microsoft Learn
What the experts say
10 expert opinions
The expert insights address resolving Office 365 SCL rating issues for emails originating from Google Workspace. Key strategies involve verifying sender identity, maintaining sender reputation, and addressing content-related issues. Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is critical, as is avoiding spam trigger words. Engaging in Microsoft's Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) provides feedback on spam complaints. Maintaining a clean subscriber list and monitoring sender reputation are essential. There is no direct line to MSFT and to focus on data driven solutions. Compromised accounts need to be checked.
Key opinions
- Authentication: Implementing and correctly configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for verifying sender identity.
- Sender Reputation: Sender reputation is affected by sending volume, complaint rates, and engagement. A good reputation can lower SCL ratings.
- List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged subscriber list reduces complaint rates and improves sender reputation.
- Content Matters: Avoiding spam trigger words and phrases in email content can significantly improve SCL ratings.
- Microsoft Feedback Loop: Participating in Microsoft's Junk Mail Reporting Program (JMRP) provides vital feedback on spam complaints.
- No "Bat Phone": Microsoft and Google do not offer direct escalation paths for deliverability issues.
- Compromised Account: Someone's account may have been compromised.
Key considerations
- Authentication Check: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured for your sending domain.
- Reputation Monitoring: Monitor sender reputation metrics and address factors that negatively impact it.
- Content Optimization: Refine email content to avoid spam triggers and provide relevant, valuable information.
- FBL Participation: Enroll in Microsoft's JMRP to receive feedback on spam complaints and take corrective action.
- List Management: Implement a process for regularly cleaning and maintaining your subscriber list.
- Compromised Accounts: Check for compromised accounts.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks states that there's no "bat phone" for Microsoft issues due to legal risks. Suggests using the standard support channels initially, and then rarely contacting people directly.
16 May 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests checking if someone's account has been compromised.
17 Mar 2025 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
The Microsoft and Google Workspace documentation provides key guidelines for resolving Office 365 SCL (Spam Confidence Level) rating issues for corporate email originating from Google Workspace. Proper authentication using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is emphasized to improve sender reputation. Monitoring sending IP addresses for blocklisting and ensuring they have valid reverse DNS (PTR) records matching the sending domain are also crucial. Segmenting email lists for targeted content enhances engagement and reduces spam reports, thereby improving SCL ratings.
Key findings
- Authentication: Proper authentication using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential for improving sender reputation.
- IP Monitoring: Monitoring sending IP addresses for blocklisting is crucial for maintaining a good sender reputation.
- Reverse DNS: Ensuring a valid reverse DNS (PTR) record that matches the sending domain helps verify the identity of the mail server.
- Email Segmentation: Segmenting email lists for targeted content increases engagement and reduces spam reports.
Key considerations
- Authentication Implementation: Implement and regularly review SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings to ensure they are correctly configured.
- IP Reputation: Continuously monitor your sending IP addresses to ensure they are not listed on any blocklists.
- DNS Records: Verify that your sending IP addresses have valid and matching reverse DNS (PTR) records.
- List Segmentation Strategy: Develop a strategy for segmenting your email lists to deliver targeted and relevant content to your audience.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft Support shares that ensuring your sending IP address has a valid reverse DNS (PTR) record that matches your sending domain. This helps to verify the identity of your mail server and can improve your sending reputation with Office 365.
16 Apr 2022 - Microsoft Support
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft 365 Documentation shares that to improve sender reputation, ensure that the sending domain is properly authenticated using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Monitor your sending IP addresses and ensure they are not listed on any blocklists. Also, provide an easy way for recipients to unsubscribe from your emails.
15 Mar 2024 - Microsoft 365 Documentation
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