In a decisive move to combat spam and protect user inboxes, Microsoft is implementing stricter rules for high-volume email senders using its Outlook.com service.
With over 160 billion spam emails flooding the internet daily, email spam remains a persistent challenge for users and service providers alike. Outlook.com, being one of the most widely used email platforms, is now stepping up its efforts to crack down on unsolicited and potentially harmful emails.
In a recent update published on the Microsoft Defender for Office 365 blog, the tech giant announced a set of new requirements targeting domains that send more than 5,000 emails per day. This initiative is part of Microsoft's ongoing mission to protect user trust and uphold email integrity.
"Outlook is stepping up its commitment to protect inboxes and preserve trust in the digital ecosystem," Microsoft stated in the blog.
What’s Changing?
Starting May 5th, Microsoft will begin enforcing new email authentication protocols. High-volume senders must now comply with three essential standards:
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SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
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DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
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DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
These protocols work together to verify that emails are actually coming from the domains they claim to be sent from. By doing so, they help reduce spoofing, phishing attacks, and general spam, while also improving deliverability for legitimate senders.
Microsoft emphasizes that businesses and senders should act quickly:
"We encourage all senders, especially those operating at high volume, to review and update their SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings to meet the new requirements."
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Emails failing to meet the required authentication standards will be rejected outright. The error message accompanying such rejections will read:
“550; 5.7.515 Access denied, sending domain [SendingDomain] does not meet the required authentication level.”
This change not only improves clarity for recipients but also gives senders a clear understanding of why their messages aren't being delivered, eliminating confusion around messages landing in the spam or junk folder.
A Welcome Move in the Fight Against Spam
This is a positive and necessary step toward making the digital communication landscape safer. By pushing for authentication standards like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, Microsoft is helping ensure that Outlook users—whether individuals or small businesses—can trust the emails they receive.
Need Help Checking Your Email Spam Score?
Before hitting send on your next campaign, make sure your email is properly authenticated. Use TestMailScore.com—a free tool that provides in-depth analysis of your email's spam score, authentication setup, and potential deliverability issues.
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