|
Bulk Emails: Redefining The Term
Microsoft has introduced a new way of defining "bulk email" by shifting its focus from the traditional approach, which typically considers email volume, to a system based on each user's usual sending patterns. This change is being implemented as part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance email security and combat spam, phishing, and other forms of malicious activity. Under this new framework, bulk email is identified not solely by the sheer number of emails sent but by any deviation from a user's typical sending behavior, such as an unexpected surge in volume.
The reason for this is the same as many other changes in the online world: security. By flagging unusual email activity that could indicate a compromised account or malicious behavior.
AI is all the rage now and Microsoft is using it to track and understand what constitutes "normal" for individual users. If a user suddenly sends a higher-than-usual number of messages, the system can raise an alert or apply additional scrutiny, reducing the chances of spam or harmful emails reaching inboxes. That means that while for some users in your organization, it might take 500 emails to be flagged but for others that may only use their email a few times each month, sending a blast out to 75 people suddenly might trigger a block
By linking bulk email criteria to individual user behavior rather than a static threshold, Microsoft aims to create a more dynamic and responsive system for detecting suspicious email activity. This approach offers better protection for users while minimizing disruptions, as it accounts for personal variations in email patterns and improves the ability to distinguish between legitimate communications and potentially harmful messages.
Users and managers should be aware of their own patterns using email and be prepared to act if they suddenly need to send out a far larger amount than usual. Of course, there's also the old reliable bulk email tools that are a good option for many such cases - just be sure to update your SPF records to reflect your organization's use of the service.
If you'd like to discuss sending bulk emails or need assistance remedying an account blocked for sending bulk email or adding an email marketing platform to your company's SPF records, please feel free to reach out to our offices and we'll help you as best we can.
| 
