Summary
Proofpoint blocks Sendgrid IPs primarily due to poor sender reputation stemming from various factors, including spam complaints, blacklist listings, inadequate email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and poor list hygiene. New Sendgrid IPs often inherit pre-existing reputation issues. Resolving this involves gradual IP warm-up, ensuring SMTP compliance, checking and cleaning email lists, monitoring sender reputation, contacting Proofpoint for delisting, reviewing email content for spam triggers, and setting up a reverse DNS record. DMARC is not the cause of the IP Block. Before switching ESPs, it's crucial to check their reputation and consider seeking guidance from deliverability consultants.
Key findings
- Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation is the main reason for Proofpoint blocking Sendgrid IPs.
- Pre-existing IP Reputation: New Sendgrid IPs may inherit pre-existing reputation issues.
- Email Authentication: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial.
- List Hygiene: Maintaining clean and engaged email lists improves sender reputation.
- IP Warmup: Proper IP warm-up is crucial for new sending IPs.
- DMARC Relevance: DMARC is not the cause of the IP block.
Key considerations
- Check ESP Reputation: Evaluate an ESP's reputation before migrating.
- Gradual Implementation: Implement changes (like DMARC) gradually and monitor results.
- Contact Proofpoint: Contact Proofpoint directly to resolve blocklist issues.
- Review Email Content: Review your emails for spam triggers.
- Monitor Sending Health: Monitor your sending health using available tools.
- Underlying issue: Diagnose and fix underlying issues such as spam complaints.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
Proofpoint blocking Sendgrid IPs is a common issue often stemming from pre-existing IP reputation problems, inadequate email authentication, poor list hygiene, or content triggering spam filters. Resolution involves checking IP reputation, ensuring correct SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup, cleaning email lists, monitoring sender reputation via tools like Google Postmaster Tools, contacting Proofpoint's postmaster for delisting, reviewing email content for spam triggers, setting up reverse DNS records, and diagnosing sending health using ESP-provided tools. Consulting deliverability experts and investigating ESP reputations before switching can also prevent such issues.
Key opinions
- IP Reputation: New Sendgrid IPs may have existing reputation issues affecting deliverability.
- Email Authentication: Proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC setup is crucial for sender reputation and preventing spam flagging.
- List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning email lists improves sender reputation and reduces blocking.
- Content: Email content should be reviewed to avoid spam triggers such as overuse of keywords.
- Monitoring: It's important to monitor sender reputation and diagnose sending health.
Key considerations
- ESP Reputation: Check the reputation of an ESP before switching to them.
- Contact Proofpoint: Contact Proofpoint's postmaster for delisting requests.
- Reverse DNS: Set up a reverse DNS record for your sending IP address.
- Consult Experts: Consult deliverability experts for guidance.
- Remediation Speed: Some ESPs will directly facilitate a speedier response/remediation. This is not guaranteed.
Marketer view
Email marketer from DigitalOcean suggests setting up a reverse DNS (rDNS) record for your sending IP address. This helps build trust with receiving mail servers and verifies that the IP is associated with your domain.
7 Jan 2025 - DigitalOcean
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Vendor Selection notes the importance of checking ESP reputation and deliverability before choosing an ESP. Advises checking several sources and comparing them to get a full understanding
2 Jul 2023 - Email Vendor Selection
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Proofpoint blocks Sendgrid IP addresses primarily due to sender reputation issues, influenced by factors like spam complaints, blacklist listings, and authentication problems. DMARC, is not the primary issue, it is the IP being blocked. Resolving this involves understanding the reason for the blocklisting, addressing the underlying causes like poor list hygiene or spam content, monitoring your sender reputation, and taking prompt action to fix negative signals.
Key opinions
- Cause of Blocking: The primary reason for Proofpoint blocking Sendgrid IPs is sender reputation.
- Factors Influencing Reputation: Sender reputation is affected by spam complaints, blacklist listings, and email authentication.
- Underlying Issues: Addressing the root cause, such as poor list hygiene or spam content, is crucial for resolving blocking issues.
- DMARC Relevance: DMARC is not the cause of the issue.
Key considerations
- Investigate Blocklisting Reason: Understand why your IP is on the blocklist before requesting removal.
- Monitor Reputation: Monitor your sender reputation and promptly address any negative signals.
- Address Underlying Issues: Fix the root cause, like poor list hygiene or spam content, to prevent future blocking.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise discusses the importance of understanding why you are on a blocklist before requesting removal. If Proofpoint is blocking your Sendgrid IP, they advise investigating the cause (spam complaints, poor list hygiene) and fixing the underlying issue to prevent future blocking.
20 Sep 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that DMARC had nothing to do with the Proofpoint IP blocking issue, and the delivery issue faced was because Proofpoint had the IP blocked.
24 Jul 2021 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Proofpoint may block Sendgrid IPs due to reputation issues arising from various factors. Resolving this involves gradually warming up dedicated IPs with low sending volumes initially, monitoring deliverability, and ensuring adherence to SMTP standards, including properly formatted headers and HELO/EHLO commands. Proofpoint suggests checking their Sender Reputation service and contacting postmaster@proofpoint.com for delisting. Implementing DMARC policies gradually is also recommended to ensure proper authentication and avoid unintended consequences.
Key findings
- IP Warm-up: Gradual warm-up of dedicated IPs is crucial for building a good sending reputation.
- Reputation Factors: Proofpoint blocks senders due to various reputation factors.
- SMTP Compliance: Compliance with SMTP standards, including correct headers and HELO/EHLO commands, affects deliverability.
- Gradual DMARC Implementation: Implement DMARC policies gradually to avoid unintended consequences.
Key considerations
- Monitor Deliverability: Monitor deliverability during IP warm-up to ensure a good reputation.
- Check Proofpoint Reputation: Check the Proofpoint Sender Reputation service.
- Contact Proofpoint: Contact postmaster@proofpoint.com for delisting requests.
- Monitor DMARC results: Monitor results when implementing DMARC and adjust policies accordingly.
Technical article
Documentation from Sendgrid outlines the importance of warming up a dedicated IP address gradually. It says to start with low volumes and increase gradually, while monitoring deliverability to ensure good reputation.
22 Aug 2022 - Sendgrid
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org advises implementing DMARC policies gradually. Start with 'p=none' to monitor, then move to 'p=quarantine' or 'p=reject' after observing results and ensuring legitimate mail is properly authenticated.
7 Dec 2024 - DMARC.org
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