Definition
Microsoft evaluates sending IPs and domains when filtering mail for Outlook, Hotmail, and Microsoft 365. Its scoring weighs complaints, spam-trap hits, authentication, and engagement.
Senders with significant Outlook volume should monitor Microsoft-side signals through SNDS and keep complaint rates low to protect placement.
Microsoft evaluates both IPs and domains, with heavy weight on complaints and spam-trap hits. Senders with significant Outlook volume should watch SNDS for first-party signals. Consistent volume and low negative signals support better placement.
What Microsoft Weighs
Complaint rate is a primary signal, along with spam-trap hits and authentication failures.
Consistent volume and low negative signals support better placement.
Why It Matters
Microsoft's reputation scoring affects every Outlook, Hotmail, and Microsoft 365 recipient. Managing it protects a large share of B2B and business delivery.
Best Practices
- Use SNDS to watch Microsoft-side data.
- Keep complaints low and volume consistent.
- Authenticate and monitor delivery to Outlook.
- Investigate block notifications quickly.
- Suppress complainers to protect reputation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Through IP and domain reputation with heavy weight on complaints and spam-trap hits. Microsoft evaluates both IPs and domains, with heavy weight on complaints and spam-trap hits.
Microsoft SNDS and your ESP's deliverability reports. Senders with significant Outlook volume should watch SNDS for first-party signals.
Complaints, spam-trap hits, and inconsistent volume. Consistent volume and low negative signals support better placement.
Microsoft evaluates both, so maintain both. Microsoft evaluates both IPs and domains, with heavy weight on complaints and spam-trap hits.
Keep complaints low, authenticate, and monitor SNDS. Senders with significant Outlook volume should watch SNDS for first-party signals.