Microsoft will add a new limit to bulk emails sent via Exchange Online

To fight spam, Microsoft decided to add a limit to the amount of bulk emails we send through Exchange Online. The restriction will only apply to external recipients. Yet, you can continue sending emails internally. In addition, Microsoft will introduce the new bulk email limit in two phases.

Even though Microsoft didn’t introduce any restrictions on bulk emails previously, spam became a major issue. Also, Exchange Online isn’t for sending bulk emails. However, some users are exploiting it for that purpose. Thus, Microsoft added the 2,000 External Recipient Rate (ERR) to combat this problem.

Will Microsoft change the previous Recipient Rate limit?

The previous Recipient Rate limit of 10,000 emails will remain the same, and the new ERR will be its sub-limit. Thus, even if you send bulk emails, as long as you don’t try to exceed the limit of 2,000 external ones, you won’t have a problem with it.

Microsoft will introduce the bulk email limit in two phases for Exchange Online to help users accommodate the new system. Thus, the cloud-hosted mailboxes of new users joining from January 1st, 2025, will start with the restriction, while older users will receive it between July and December 2025.

If you need to send more than 2,000 bulk emails and bypass the limit, you can use Azure Communication services for email. After all, Microsoft made it for business-to-customer communication, allowing you to send high-volume emails.

Google has some bulk email restrictions as well

On another note, Google implemented stricter thresholds, authentication processes, and limitations for bulk email senders. However, their bulk email limit is 5,000 daily messages. Yet, if you need to send more, you’ll have to set up SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) email authentication for your domain.

Additionally, there are some bulk email restrictions you should follow. For example, avoid sending unsolicited messages and provide one-click unsubscribe options. On top of that, you have to answer quickly to the unsubscribe requests. Otherwise, Gmail could block your emails.

Ultimately, if you don’t need to send over 2,000 emails externally, you won’t have problems with the new ERR. However, if you need to send more, to avoid the bulk email limit set by Microsoft for Exchange Online, you could switch to the Azure Communication services for email. In addition, if you plan on sending them via Gmail, set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

What do you think? Is this a good way to prevent spammy emails? Let us know in the comments.