Summary
The Microsoft Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) portal has experienced intermittent outages and periods of missing data, leading to concerns among senders about its reliability. These downtimes often coincide with observed dips in Outlook (Hotmail/Live) inboxing rates, raising questions about a potential causal link. While Microsoft does not always publicly confirm these correlations, the impact on senders' ability to monitor their reputation is significant.
Key findings
- SNDS outages: The SNDS portal has been reported to be down or displaying empty data for extended periods, impacting senders' access to crucial deliverability metrics.
- Data visibility: Absence of SNDS data means senders lose visibility into their IP reputation, spam complaint rates, and filter results specific to Microsoft domains. More information about this can be found in our article on why Microsoft SNDS data is not displaying or accessible.
- Outlook inboxing drops: Many senders have reported a concurrent decline in Outlook inbox placement rates during SNDS downtime. This correlation suggests a potential, though unconfirmed, link between the two.
- Lack of official confirmation: Microsoft typically does not issue widespread announcements regarding SNDS outages or their direct impact on deliverability, leaving senders to infer connections based on observed data. As documented by SpamResource.com, the SNDS portal has experienced periods where it stopped updating data for several days.
Key considerations
- Diversified monitoring: Relying on multiple deliverability monitoring tools and internal metrics is essential to mitigate the impact of single-point failures like SNDS outages.
- Alternative insights: During SNDS downtime, focus on other indicators of deliverability, such as bounce rates, sender reputation with other ISPs, and overall engagement metrics.
- Proactive measures: Maintain strong sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and consistent email practices to build and preserve a good reputation with Microsoft. For persistent issues, our article on whether Outlook email deliverability issues are resolved offers further insights.
- Outlook deliverability focus: Even without real-time SNDS data, continue to adhere to Microsoft's best practices, including list hygiene and managing subscriber engagement effectively.
What email marketers say
Email marketers have widely reported issues with Microsoft's SNDS portal, noting periods of missing data or complete unavailability. Many observed a direct correlation between these SNDS issues and a sudden drop in their Outlook inboxing rates, leading to significant frustration and uncertainty about deliverability performance.
Key opinions
- Widespread errors: Many marketers reported seeing errors or empty data in SNDS for multiple days, making it impossible to monitor their Microsoft deliverability.
- Significant inboxing drops: Several large senders noticed a 20%+ drop in Outlook inboxing rates, which historically were very high (95-98% inboxed). This issue seemed to begin simultaneously with the SNDS data problems.
- SFMC specific issues: Some marketers noted that SNDS access issues were specifically occurring for IPs associated with Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC), suggesting potential authorization revocations. Our guide on SNDS and SFMC report discrepancies provides more context.
- Unresponsive support: Marketers reported receiving no response from Microsoft's SNDS support email during these outages.
Key considerations
- Impact on campaign strategy: The lack of real-time SNDS data can hinder marketers' ability to make informed decisions about their email campaigns to Microsoft users, potentially impacting ROI.
- Independent monitoring: Marketers should implement independent inbox placement tests and monitor other engagement metrics to verify deliverability, especially when SNDS is unavailable. Our guide on low deliverability and open rates with Hotmail and Outlook discusses broader issues.
- Communication with ESPs: If experiencing platform-specific SNDS issues (e.g., with SFMC), engage directly with your ESP to understand if their SNDS authorizations have been revoked or altered. Learn more about what Microsoft SNDS measures to better articulate issues to your provider.
- Anticipate fluctuations: Marketers should be prepared for potential fluctuations in Outlook deliverability, which can be influenced by various factors beyond just SNDS data availability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks reports seeing errors in SNDS all day, suggesting widespread issues.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks stated that the SNDS data was empty for the previous two days, indicating a consistent lack of visibility.
What the experts say
Deliverability experts acknowledge that while SNDS is a valuable tool, its intermittent availability can be a challenge. They often advise against sole reliance on any single postmaster tool, emphasizing that robust deliverability strategies encompass broader aspects like consistent authentication, list hygiene, and active engagement monitoring, regardless of specific tool statuses.
Key opinions
- Tool limitations: Experts stress that while SNDS offers valuable data, it is just one component of a comprehensive deliverability strategy and can experience outages.
- Broader indicators: Focus should be on core deliverability factors such as consistent sending volume, maintaining low bounce rates, and ensuring strong subscriber engagement. This helps to understand why Microsoft Outlook.com email deliverability can be inconsistent.
- Authentication importance: Proper implementation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is fundamental for Microsoft deliverability, irrespective of SNDS data availability. This is often the first step in addressing issues like Microsoft email blocks when SNDS shows normal status.
- Patience and observation: During tool outages, experts recommend observing long-term trends and avoiding drastic changes based on short-term data anomalies.
Key considerations
- Proactive reputation management: Consistently adhere to best practices for email sending to proactively maintain a strong sender reputation with all ISPs, including Microsoft.
- Internal data analysis: Leverage your own email platform's reporting on bounces, opens, and clicks to gauge deliverability, even when external tools are down.
- Multi-tool strategy: Integrate data from various sources (e.g., other postmaster tools, internal logs, third-party monitoring services) for a holistic view of your deliverability landscape. This is consistent with advice from Word to the Wise on building resilient deliverability programs.
- Audience engagement: Prioritize sending relevant content to engaged subscribers, as positive recipient interactions are a primary driver of good inbox placement.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks observed that SNDS outages, while disruptive, are typically temporary, urging senders to focus on long-term reputation building rather than short-term fluctuations.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggested that direct correlation between SNDS downtime and inboxing drops isn't always officially confirmed by Microsoft, implying that other factors might be at play.
What the documentation says
Official documentation from Microsoft and related expert resources describe SNDS as a free service crucial for senders to monitor their email traffic and reputation with Microsoft properties. While the documentation outlines the data available and its purpose, it typically focuses on ideal functionality rather than addressing service outages directly. Nonetheless, it underscores the importance of the metrics SNDS provides for troubleshooting and maintaining good deliverability.
Key findings
- Purpose of SNDS: SNDS provides senders with data insights into their IP reputation and email sending behavior to Microsoft domains, including Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Live. Kickbox Blog highlights it as a crucial, free postmaster service.
- Key metrics: The service reports on spam complaints, spam trap hits, message filter results, and bounce rates, which are vital for diagnosing deliverability issues.
- Troubleshooting aid: SNDS is designed to help senders troubleshoot and improve their email delivery, allowing them to identify patterns and track their sending health.
- Sender registration: Microsoft encourages senders to register their IPs and domains in SNDS to gain access to this critical feedback and data.
Key considerations
- Regular data review: Consistent monitoring of SNDS data is advised to maintain a positive sender reputation and proactively address potential problems before they escalate. Learn more about what a red filter result in SNDS means.
- Compliance with guidelines: Adherence to Microsoft's specific sending policies and guidelines is crucial, as this directly influences how your emails are filtered and delivered.
- Authentication standards: Ensure proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC configuration, as these authentication methods are fundamental for Microsoft to verify sender legitimacy. Our guide on how to comply with Outlook's new sender requirements provides a detailed overview.
- Understanding impact: Understanding how complaint rates and other metrics provided by SNDS influence your sender score is key to optimizing your email program.
Technical article
Documentation from Kickbox Blog outlines SNDS as a free postmaster service offered by Microsoft, providing senders with high-level insight into an IP's email deliverability and overall sender behavior, which is essential for healthy email programs.
Technical article
Documentation from RatersEdge explains that SNDS is designed to measure crucial email metrics including email volume, spam complaints, spam traps, message filter results, and bounce rates, providing a comprehensive view of sender performance.
Related resources
13 resources
Related pages
Why am I not receiving Microsoft SNDS authorization emails or experiencing delays?
Are Outlook email deliverability issues resolved?
Why is Microsoft Outlook.com email deliverability inconsistent and how reliable is SNDS data?
Why are emails experiencing low deliverability and open rates with Hotmail and Outlook?
How to resolve Microsoft email blocks when SNDS shows normal status?
Why does Microsoft SNDS data contradict email deliverability during IP warming?
Why is Microsoft SNDS data not displaying or accessible?
Why are SNDS and SFMC reports showing discrepancies in email delivery data, and how to resolve it?
What does a red filter result in SNDS mean, and how does it relate to email deliverability and SmartScreen?
How to comply with Outlook's new sender requirements
