Ezine delivery issues......

[lacantina]

Ciao all,

Been having some issues with delivering our ezine to our mailing list subscribers.

Most of the emails bounce (which I know is to a certain extent normal) but the number increases every time.

And I also get strange bounce error messages such as these (email addresses removed for obvious reasons):

550 to verify they are valid." 550 5.1.1... User unknown <<< 503 valid RCPT command must precede DATA ... >>> DATA<<< 554 Sorry, message looks like SPAM to me 554 5.0.0 <<< 450 Recipient address rejected: temporary blocked due to greylisting;

What does the above mean? All of our subscribers have subscribed through a double opt in list feature. Also, it seems like all AOL mail servers are rejecting our ezine....!

In a few words, is there anything we can do to improve our delivery rate?

Any help is much appreciated!

lacantina

[technick]

"The term Greylisting is meant to describe a general method of blocking spam based on the behavior of the sending server, rather than the content of the messages."

How are you sending your ezines out?

[lacantina]

I'm BCC'ing our mailing list in Outlook.

How does the behaviour of the sending server affect these spam filters? Any way around it?

Thanks!

[MarcieZoob]

It could also have to do with the SMTP settings you're using when sending email from Outlook. If you're using the SMTP settings provided by your web host, it might have to do with your server location (Bravenet might be a greylist server?).

[lacantina]

Originally Posted by MarcieZoob

It could also have to do with the SMTP settings you're using when sending email from Outlook. If you're using the SMTP settings provided by your web host, it might have to do with your server location (Bravenet might be a greylist server?).

Nope, we use our ISP's SMTP server. Our webhost only provides POP servers...

[mgillis]

Hi,

I have a mailing list of 97,000. Usually, about 1/2 to 3/4 of my messages get through even through it is an opt in list.

Basically, all of the major email providers have rules and filters that they look for in order to identify spam.

Quick fixes include:
1) breaking your email list into small chunks.
2) making sure you don't open up multiple messages into one email provider at a time
3) making sure that your messages are all spelled correctly

AOL and Hotmail will block strictly on quantity. At hotmail, for example, sending in more that 500 messages at a time identifies you as a spam sender. I don't know the AOL magic number, but I'm talking to them so I'll let y'all know when I do.

Also, the "500 Series" of errors are usually what the providers term Permanent Errors. Continually resending to mailboxes that are nonexistent, etc. will identify you as a spammer. Your list starts clean because of the double opt-in, but people move, change their email addresses etc. and good mailboxes go dead. You have to keep updating your lists by running filters for active and inactive mailboxes.

Email providers use inactive mailboxes to identify spam. If you are continually sending email to dead addresses, they consider you spam.

There is so much to consider in this, but I've found the best thing to do is start talking to them and work out a relationship to get on their white list OR (if you can afford it and it is worth it to your company) get into a Bonded Sender program and ensure that your list stays clean.

Good Luck.

[ezdropshipper_webmaster]

"Spam Blocking" is getting to be a really big issue with newsletter mailings. At my office, we ask new users to add our postmaster address to their "approved sender" list right off to avoid this problem.

However, some ISP's still block based on content, so the above doesn't always help.

I have to go with what I've heard online; SMTP as it exists is fundamentally broken. Until we get a new more secure email protocol, sending email isn't going to be as reliable as it was even five years ago.

[rominosj]

Make sure your current IP is not blacklisted. http://rbls.org/ or use the spam database lookup at: http://www.dnsstuff.com/

If you are using your ISP IP, then when sending with Outlook, that is a major issue. I would advice you to buy hositng with static IP (your own IP) get a newsletter script, and send messages from there.

Or, get a service like topica who offers mailing with your own IP, but they are very expensive plus personally I don't like sharing my list to avoid spam issues.

And maybe you already know or are doing this, but it might be worth mentioning:

Create yourself 10 or 20 different free email accounts add them to your list, and make sure your messages do not go to the spam/garbage box before sending your final draft to your customer list.

If possible make sure you include name and last name of the receiver, current date, mention somewhere "our monthly newsletter" or "weekly newsletter". Saying that your message is actually a monthly newsletter help (sometimes) pass spam filters.

If newsletter is very importan in your business (incomewise) you should sign up with some spam checker to make sure your messages are as clean as possible.

Always include a contact email in the message signature, your company name, your url, and company physical address.

[John Glube]

Originally Posted by lacantina

Ciao all,

Been having some issues with delivering our ezine to our mailing list subscribers.

Most of the emails bounce (which I know is to a certain extent normal) but the number increases every time.

And I also get strange bounce error messages such as these (email addresses removed for obvious reasons):

550 to verify they are valid." 550 5.1.1... User unknown <<< 503 valid RCPT command must precede DATA ... >>> DATA<<< 554 Sorry, message looks like SPAM to me 554 5.0.0 <<< 450 Recipient address rejected: temporary blocked due to greylisting;

What does the above mean? All of our subscribers have subscribed through a double opt in list feature. Also, it seems like all AOL mail servers are rejecting our ezine....!

In a few words, is there anything we can do to improve our delivery rate?

Any help is much appreciated!

lacantina

A couple of comments. Looking at the various messages:

* 550 5.1.1... User unknown

This is a hard bounce. However, some receiving networks use this because they believe you are sending spam and so want you to go away.

* <<< 503 valid RCPT command must precede DATA ... >>>

This has to do with how you are sending your mail.

* <<< 554 Sorry, message looks like SPAM to me 554 5.0.0

This has to do with how you are sending your mail.

* <<< 450 Recipient address rejected: temporary blocked due to greylisting;

I explain this error message below. Okay, now let's look at how you are sending your mail.

* You are sending out your e-zine via Outlook through your ISP's SMTP server via POP.

Are you doing this from a residential dynamic IP address or a static business IP address?

The received headers will show the message coming from your IP address before being relayed by your ISP's SMTP server.

If it is a residential dynamic IP address and depending on the volume, many ISPs will block email from this source.

Why? A large percentage of spam is now coming from zombie computers who are sending mail through the ISPs SMTP server from dynamic residential IP addresses.

* You are BCC'ing your mailing list in Outlook. This is typical spammer behaviour. Again, many ISPs will block based on this behaviour.

* Greylisting is a technique used by some ISPs. In essence, if the receiving server does not know the sending server, the receiving server will grey list and on the first contact issue a temporary failure.

If the sender is a spammer, he, she or it will simply move on. If the sender is legitimate, then the sender will retry after a period of time and on the second try, the receiving server should proceed with the SMTP transmission.

What can you do to improve your delivery rates?

* Don't send bulk mail from a residential dynamic IP address.

* Don't send bulk mail by way of BCC. This is a spammer tactic of trying to stuff as much mail as possible into one transmission.

You need to use legitimate software to send your message.

* I don't recommend sending through your ISP, but rather through your own server solution from your own static IP address.

You need to ensure any server solution is properly set up, including that:

* The Domain Name Service (DNS) records for your domain are fully compliant with all applicable protocols.

* The message headers are properly set up.

This means even if using a shared server, the mail is properly identified as originating from your domain by way of your static IP address in the EHELO/HELO command.

You use a valid email address in the SMTP mail from command. The from email address in the from field is a valid address.

The domain should be the same in the EHELO/HELO command, the SMTP mail from command and in the from field.

* You will want to publish an SPF version 1 record for your domain, along with a DomainKeys record.

Please understand that both these protocals are experimental at this time and may change.

However, two of the larger consumer ISPs are relying on these protocols.

AOL is relying on SPF to authenticate the sender's outbound mail server.

MSN/Hotmail is continuing to test SPF version 2. By setting up your network as suggested and publishing an appropriate SPF version 1 record, you should pass SPF version 2 checks for MSN/Hotmail.

Yahoo! is relying on DomainKeys to authenticate the message.

In addition, Earthlink and Google are working with DomainKeys.

Many smaller networks that rely on SpamAssassin are using SPF and/or DomainKeys checks

* Check your message content for spamminess.

Depending on your list size you will want to:

* use a delivery monitoring service like this one to aid you in monitoring delivery rates and resolving problems.

* work with a certification service like this one.

Depending on the services that you use, they can provide you with access to a white or safe list that is relied upon by some ISPs, aid you in getting white listed with those ISPs that run their own white listing and use your certification when dealing with ISPs to resolve problems.

For more on SPF, delivery monitoring and certification, read this article.

Trusting these comments help.

John

John Glube
Toronto, Canada

[lacantina]

wow...thank you everyone for the great responses!

Although I consequently have a few points to make:

1. We're using a residential IP address, how much would it cost to obtain a static one?

2. Our mailing list has about 130 members only...does that really make me look like a spammer when I send our ezine out? I think that's pretty harsh of AOL, Hotmail etc.

3. I'll try dividing the list into smaller chunks, as I have a feeling that could make a difference...

4. Our content is purely in the form of articles, tips etc. We also always include our physical address, use a legitimate email address with our domain name to send out mailings and include our URL.

5. Unfortunately can't afford to use services such as Topica at the moment. Is there any other way to hide email addresses other than BCC'ing in Outlook?

6. Do you recommend removing all email addresses that return "500 type" errors? Didn't know that attempting to resend to these would be interpreted as spammer behaviour by the filters. We persisted, just in case there were some one off technical glitches that prevented delivery...but I guess we should look into it better.

7. Checked if our domain or IP is blacklisted in dnsstuff...we're on none of the spam or abuse lists


Thanks a lot for the help guys, much appreciated!

[John Glube]

Originally Posted by lacantina

wow...thank you everyone for the great responses!

Although I consequently have a few points to make:

1. We're using a residential IP address, how much would it cost to obtain a static one?

You live in Rome, Italy, so you will need to get in touch with the ISPs in your neck of the woods.

2. Our mailing list has about 130 members only...does that really make me look like a spammer when I send our ezine out? I think that's pretty harsh of AOL, Hotmail etc.

I don't think its the content or list size. Rather, its sending out one message with 130 Bcc's that's causing your big problem.

3. I'll try dividing the list into smaller chunks, as I have a feeling that could make a difference...

Possibly, although you really need to use proper software to do the mailings.

4. Our content is purely in the form of articles, tips etc. We also always include our physical address, use a legitimate email address with our domain name to send out mailings and include our URL.

Understood. One thing, you should be aware of is that the IP address for your domain does not have a reverse DNS entry. This can cause email delivery problems.

If you were doing the mailings from your web host, it would likely be fatal. Depending on how you are doing mailings from your residential IP, it can also be fatal.

5. Unfortunately can't afford to use services such as Topica at the moment. Is there any other way to hide email addresses other than BCC'ing in Outlook?

Hmm ... some alternative suggestions, given your list size:

* EmailAces will do the mailings for you at under $10.00 a month.

* Aweber or BigHip will do the mailings for you at $19.95 a month.

Disclosure time. I have tested Emailaces. That is an affiliate link. It is a good service.

I use Aweber and BigHip. AWeber is an affiliate link.

I am giving you a choice of 3 so that you can test them out for yourself and determine which service best meets your needs.

Given your website and the type of mailings I think you would probably like to do, I would probably recommend BigHip, although I would need to see your mailings.

As an aside, I could not find a sign up form for your newsletter on your web site. Should be in the upper right hand corner above the fold, given your web site set up.

I add that both AWeber and BigHip allow you to set your mailings up for distribution using RSS which would be probably be attractive to your typical visitor.

6. Do you recommend removing all email addresses that return "500 type" errors? Didn't know that attempting to resend to these would be interpreted as spammer behaviour by the filters. We persisted, just in case there were some one off technical glitches that prevented delivery...but I guess we should look into it better.

550 errors - yes. Others, I might investigate.

7. Checked if our domain or IP is blacklisted in dnsstuff...we're on none of the spam or abuse lists

Thanks a lot for the help guys, much appreciated!

Your IP address is not and you are hosting with bravehost.

However, as noted above your IP address does not have a reverse DNS listing. This will have a bearing on delivery, depending on the domain you are placing in your HELO and SMTP mail from commands.

Since you are doing your mailings from your residential IP and routing the mailings through your ISPs smart host, this may or may not have a bearing on your HELO command.

However, if you are showing your domain in the SMTP mail from command, (aka the path to receive bounce messages), the lack of a reverse dns entry for your IP address, along with the large number of BCC entries will cause you major problems with almost all the large networks.

Simply put, they will not like you, because your set up looks like that of a spammer.

* You could do the mailings from your web host. However, I am reluctant to recommend doing mailings from bravehost, in that although it might offer good hosting, given how their shared server settings are arranged, along with the lack of reverse DNS for your IP address will cause problems when doing mailings from that host.

(As an aside, this is why I don't do mailings from one host I use, because that specific host does not offer a reverse DNS listing, even though they do provide a dedicated IP addres.)

Sorry, don't mean to be blunt, but a review of their and your DNS profile using DNSstuff.com pointed out some issues.

John

John Glube
Toronto, Canada

[lacantina]

Thanks for your responses John, don't find them blunt at all! We're new to internet marketing, so any help we get is precious.

But in response, looks like we'll have to consider some proper mailing list software in the future. Can't afford that at the moment, but we will look into it.

We will, however, try to reduce the list into smaller chunks. Because as the list has been growing, the delivery rate has been falling...

I agree with not doing mailings from our webhost. Other than not having the reverse DNS entry you're talking about, they also offer less flexibility in the design of the ezines (unless you pay more of course).

As for our sign up form, there is a link to it clearly marked in orange in the centre of the index page. I agree it should be on every page, but we haven't been able to make it fit in aesthetically into our page design.

In conclusion though, it annoys me how spam keeps on getting through to my email addresses every day (including Hotmail and Yahoo), and our legitimate ezine doesn't even make it to half of our subscribers...

[ezdropshipper_webmaster]

*smacks self upside head*
I almost forgot; there's a program you can use to try and "tune" your emails to get past "spam filters" better.

It's called "Email Advisor"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...or&btnG=Search

[mgillis]

Rather than BBC'ing all of your email addresses individually, if you are stuck with Outlook you should consider creating an address Group.

You can break your list up into 3 or 4 smaller chunks and email them separately.

Many of us do that with our "friends" or "family" lists, so it makes sense to try it as a small company.

Can't hurt, and it will get around the BBC issue.

[lacantina]

Thanks for the link ezdropshipper_webmaster, I'll check it out. Although I think one can easily tell if an email sounds "spammy" or not...the problem is that we have to use certain "sale/spam" terms in our ezines as we are obviously also trying to promote our services...
So for example, something like "buy now!" will definitely be picked up as spammy...but do we have an alternative?

mgillis - We are going to try separating the list into smaller chunks. However, we still have to use BCC for privacy issues. Even if we mail only 30-40 members at a time, I don't think people would be too happy that their email address is being shared with 30-40 others...

[John Glube]

Lacatina,

If you are going to mail from your PC through your residential IP address via your ISPs SMTP mail server, to deal with the BCC issue, consider using a piece of software like World Merge to properly organize your mailings.

John

John Glube
Toronto, Canada