Starting May 5, 2025, Microsoft will begin enforcing stricter email authentication standards for domains that send more than 5,000 emails per day to Outlook, Hotmail, and Live addresses. This move is designed to improve email security, reduce spam, and prevent phishing attacks.
What You Need to Know:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Make sure your domain is only sending emails from authorized servers. This helps prevent spoofing.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Add a digital signature to your emails to prove they haven’t been tampered with in transit.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance): You must publish a DMARC policy (at least p=none) and ensure your SPF or DKIM is aligned with your “From” address—ideally, both.
Important Dates:
- Before May 5, 2025: Ensure all authentication records are properly configured.
- After May 5, 2025: Non-compliant emails will be sent to recipients’ junk folders.
- Future (Date TBD): Microsoft may eventually begin rejecting non-compliant emails entirely.
Best Practices for Senders:
- Use a real, replyable email address.
- Make sure unsubscribe links are clearly visible and functional.
- Regularly clean up your email list and manage bounces.
- Be transparent and accurate with subject lines and content.
These changes are meant to build a more secure and trustworthy email environment. If your business sends large volumes of email, now is the time to review your domain’s settings and make sure you’re in compliance.
Not sure if your email is set up properly? We can help.
Reach out to our team with any questions or to schedule a quick review of your email domain. We’re here to ensure your systems are configured correctly and your messages continue reaching inboxes—not junk folders.
