What does a Yellow status in Microsoft SNDS mean and what should I do about it?
Microsoft’s Smart Network Data Services (SNDS) uses a traffic light system:
Green = Good reputation
Yellow = Potential issues
Red = Serious problems
If you’re seeing Yellow status:
Check for recent changes:
Sudden increases in sending volume
Higher than normal complaint rates
Low engagement (opens/clicks)
Take these actions:
Maintain consistent sending volumes
Remove unengaged subscribers
Monitor complaint rates
Ensure content is relevant and expected
Verify authentication is properly configured
Yellow status often improves within a few days if you follow these practices.
Note: Want up-to-date deliverability tips? Check Email’s Email Deliverability Guide in our documentation.
what-is-an-oob-bounce
An “Out of Band” (OOB) bounce happens when an email is initially accepted by the receiving server but rejected later. Think of it like a letter being accepted at a post office but returned days later.
Out of Band bounces do not have a RFC standard, therefore we do not receive the same details for an OOB as an in-band bounce - we are reliant on what the mailbox provider tells us.
Common reasons for OOB bounces:
The email address was found to be invalid
The mailbox became full
The message triggered spam filters after deeper analysis
The recipient server’s policies changed after initial acceptance
How can I get my emails to land in Gmail's Primary tab instead of Promotions?
Gmail’s tab placement is determined by their algorithms based on many factors:
Content type and formatting
User engagement history
Sending patterns
Authentication status
Previous user interactions with your emails
While you can’t directly control tab placement, these practices may help:
Send personalized, relevant content
Maintain consistent authentication
Encourage recipients to move your emails to Primary
Focus on engagement-driven content
Why isn't my domain receiving emails from Email?
To troubleshoot missing emails:
Log into your Email account and check Signals:
Look for attempted deliveries to your domain
Check bounce reasons if deliveries are failing
Review Message Events for specific error messages
Common issues to check:
DNS configuration for your domain
Spam filter settings
Server acceptance policies
Full mailboxes or other technical blocks
Why are my emails being blocked or delayed by Microsoft/Hotmail?
There are several potential reasons for Microsoft delivery issues. Here’s how to diagnose and fix them:
First, check your metrics in Email Signals:
If your bounce rate is above 2%, you’ll need to clean your lists.
If spam complaints are above 0.1%, review your content and opt-in practices.
Look at your delayed rates to Microsoft domains.
Check Message Events for specific Microsoft bounce codes.
[Optional with Inbox Tracker] Review reputation using SNDS or GPT.
Next, review any recent changes:
Have you sent more email than usual?
Did you change your email content?
Are you mailing to new lists?
Did you modify your authentication settings?
To resolve the issue:
Verify your authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) in Email’s Domains section.
Remove inactive subscribers (no engagement for 6+ months).
Stop sending to bounced addresses.
Process unsubscribes immediately.
Keep your sending volume consistent.
Include clear unsubscribe links.
Use clear subject lines.
Include your physical mailing address.
Contact Email Support if:
You’ve completed all these steps.
Your metrics are within normal ranges.
Issues continue for more than 48 hours.
You see unusual bounce codes.
You need SNDS data for your dedicated IPs.
Most blocks clear automatically within 24-48 hours if you follow good sending practices.
