Summary
Recent increases in Outlook/Microsoft spam rates are multi-faceted, stemming from changes in Microsoft's filtering algorithms, heightened sensitivity leading to false positives, and older seed lists becoming ineffective. Sender reputation, IP reputation, user complaint rates, and content quality are critical factors. Proper email authentication using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, along with maintaining list hygiene, engaging content, and warming up IP addresses, are essential for improved deliverability. Adhering to Microsoft's guidelines and monitoring sending practices are also key.
Key findings
- Filtering Sensitivity: Microsoft's increased filtering sensitivity and algorithm changes contribute to higher spam rates.
- Seed List Issues: Older seed lists are no longer as effective, requiring updates for accurate testing.
- Reputation Impact: Sender and IP reputation are critical factors influencing deliverability.
- Authentication Importance: Proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC implementation is crucial for authenticating emails.
- Content and Engagement: Engaging content and low user complaint rates positively affect deliverability.
- Microsoft Guidelines: Following Microsoft's best practices improves chances of inbox placement.
Key considerations
- Monitor Reputation: Consistently monitor sender and IP reputation to identify potential issues.
- Authenticate Emails: Ensure correct setup and maintenance of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
- List Hygiene: Regularly clean email lists to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers.
- Engage Subscribers: Create high-quality, engaging content to reduce spam complaints and improve engagement.
- Warm-Up IPs: Gradually warm-up new IP addresses to build a positive sending reputation.
- Review Microsoft Guidelines: Stay updated with Microsoft's deliverability guidelines and best practices.
- Monitor Sending Practices: Implement monitoring and adjust sending practices according to performance data and changes in deliverability metrics.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
Recent spikes in Outlook/Microsoft spam rates are attributed to various factors. Everest's seed list updates revealed that older email addresses were no longer effective in Microsoft's filtering. Changes in spam confidence levels, even without template modifications, contribute to emails landing in junk folders. Community insights suggest user complaint rates, IP reputation issues, and algorithm changes by Microsoft as potential causes. Experts emphasize list hygiene, sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), engaging content, and warming up IP addresses to improve deliverability. Other issues include being blocklisted, low engagement, incorrect email authentication, spam traps, and problematic content.
Key opinions
- Seed List Ineffectiveness: Older seed list email addresses are no longer effective in Microsoft filtering, necessitating updates.
- Spam Confidence Levels: Spam confidence levels are rising, even without changes to email content.
- User Complaints: Increased user complaint rates contribute to spam filtering.
- IP Reputation: IP reputation issues lead to higher spam rates.
- Algorithm Changes: Microsoft's algorithm changes affect deliverability.
- Sender Authentication: Incorrect SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup leads to higher spam rates.
- Engagement Matters: Low email engagement can lower email deliverability.
- Blacklisting: Being on a blocklist leads to deliverability issues.
Key considerations
- List Hygiene: Maintain clean and engaged email lists.
- Sender Authentication: Properly configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Content Engagement: Create engaging content to reduce spam complaints.
- IP Warm-Up: Warm up your IP address to establish sender reputation.
- Monitor Reputation: Regularly check sender and IP reputation.
- Review Content: Ensure email content isn't triggering spam filters.
- List segmentation: Segmentation to ensure that users are only recieving targeted content.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that their Everest/Validity account dropped from 100% to 80% for their Seed List, and while still ahead of the Everest Community curve, there's a noticeable dip for Hotmail.
15 Apr 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailToolTester answers that the reason your email deliverability may have gone down is due to: being blocklisted, low engagement, not authenticating your email, sending to spam traps, or because your content is triggering spam filters. He suggests checking your sender reputation, email authentication and content of emails.
26 May 2022 - EmailToolTester
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Experts suggest that recent spikes in Outlook/Microsoft spam rates are due to increased filtering sensitivity and false positives by Microsoft. Following Microsoft's guidelines and best practices is crucial for improving email deliverability. Careful monitoring and adjustments to sending practices are recommended.
Key opinions
- Increased Filtering: Microsoft's increased filtering sensitivity is a significant challenge.
- False Positives: False positives are contributing to deliverability issues.
- Guideline Importance: Following Microsoft's guidelines is critical for better deliverability.
Key considerations
- Careful Monitoring: Regularly monitor sending practices to identify and address issues.
- Adjust Sending: Adjust sending practices based on Microsoft's filtering changes.
- Review Guidelines: Review Microsoft's documentation and best practices.
- Engage Support: Engage with Microsoft's support channels for issue resolution.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise shares insight into the importance of following Microsoft's guidelines and best practices to improve email deliverability. They suggest reviewing Microsoft's documentation and engaging with their support channels to understand and address deliverability issues effectively, while ensuring compliance with Microsoft's sending policies.
22 Jul 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource explains that Microsoft's increased filtering and false positives are significant challenges for email senders. Microsoft often increases the sensitivity of its filtering, leading to deliverability issues. They recommend careful monitoring and adjustments to sending practices to navigate these fluctuations.
11 Mar 2022 - Spamresource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Documentation suggests that recent spikes in Outlook/Microsoft spam rates are influenced by several factors, including sender reputation, content filtering, user actions, and changes in Microsoft's filtering algorithms. IP reputation and blocklisting play a crucial role, as does implementing proper email authentication methods like SPF and DKIM to verify message authenticity and protect against spam.
Key findings
- Sender Reputation: Sender reputation significantly impacts email deliverability.
- Content Filtering: Content filtering influences whether emails land in the inbox or spam folder.
- Algorithm Changes: Changes in Microsoft's filtering algorithms can cause deliverability spikes.
- IP Reputation: IP reputation and blocklisting affect email delivery rates.
- Email Authentication: SPF and DKIM are essential for verifying message authenticity and improving sender reputation.
Key considerations
- Monitor Reputation: Regularly monitor sender and IP reputation to identify and address issues.
- Remove from Blocklists: Take steps to remove your IP from blocklists if necessary.
- Implement SPF: Correctly implement SPF records to improve sender reputation.
- Implement DKIM: Use DKIM to verify email message authenticity and protect against fraudulent emails.
Technical article
Documentation from Spamhaus explains that IP reputation is a critical factor in email delivery. If your IP address is listed on a blocklist due to spam activity, your emails are more likely to be marked as spam by Outlook and other email providers. Monitor your IP reputation and take steps to remove your IP from blocklists if necessary.
12 Jul 2022 - Spamhaus
Technical article
Documentation from DKIM.org explains the use of DKIM which provides a mechanism to verify the authenticity of an email message. The implementation and validation of DKIM protects senders and recipients from fraudulent and deceptive email.
10 Jan 2025 - DKIM.org
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