Microsoft: (MSN / Hotmail)
While Microsoft does not publicly disclose the exact numbers of active MSN and Hotmail subscribers, for most email senders the sum of their MSN and Hotmail addresses is usually secure at the number two spot, just behind AOL. MSN is a strictly pay-for dial-up and broadband Internet access service while Hotmail offers a mix of pay-for and free email services available via the web. Email for both MSN and Hotmail are filtered using the same technology and are listed together for that reason.
MSN / Hotmail users receive more than one billion
pieces of SPAM mail each day. Due to this fact, Microsoft has implemented a new content filtering technology called SmartScreen. This machine-learning technology presents the most challenging content filter in use by any of the top ISPs. Listrak recommends changing text (that may trigger the SmartScreen filter)
into images — .jpg or .gif graphics. Make sure that you maintain a balance of 50% text, 50% graphics in your message. Common words and phrases that are filtered include, but are not limited to; “unsubscribe” “privacy
policy,” “offers,” and similar words and phrases.
Another challenge with SmartScreen is that it discards messages that fail to pass its filter. No bounce reply is sent to the sender. Microsoft also employs technology from commercial blacklist provider Brightmail to filter junk email. You can read more about Brightmail in the Earthlink section of this whitepaper.
Additionally, Microsoft has integrated their SmartScreen technology into both their Outlook and Exchange Server products. Permission mailers sending B2B campaigns should be aware that this could lead to deliverability problems. Listrak recommends always testing your campaign by sending it to an email account that uses Outlook and Exchange Server.
On May 26, 2005 Microsoft launched the MSN Post- master Web site, which offers up-to-date information and tools addressing a range of issues, including helping fight junk email, improving delivery of legitimate bulk email messages, streamlining the reporting of email abuse and assisting with troubleshooting. We recommend visiting http://postmaster.msn.com to get an understanding of the exact technologies and solutions in place at MSN and Hotmail.
Download The Full White Paper
