Microsoft's new rules make Southwest's changes look friendly

Southwest Airlines just committed brand suicide.

After 60 years of "Bags Fly Free" marketing, they're now charging for checked bags. And they're forcing assigned seats despite decades of open seating freedom.

Their loyal customers are fleeing.

And just when you thought the new rules for sending emails were in place...

Microsoft's rolling out major turbulence on May 5th.

They claim they're starting with large volume senders, but read their exact words carefully:

"While enforcement first targets large senders..." (emphasis mine)

Notice they didn't say "only" targets. It first targets.

So yes, these changes WILL affect you and me, who don't send thousands of emails in a month.

What do these upcoming changes mean for you?

Every email that you send...

• Your relationship-building newsletters

• Your webinar invites

• Your appointment reminders

• Your course promotions

• Your passwords resets

• Even your purchase receipts

Must abide by Microsoft's new criteria.

Otherwise they'll filter or block non-compliant senders for "critical breaches of authentication or hygiene."

Translation: Keep your list clean. Get opens. Get clicks. Get replies.

And that old trick of having subscribers add you to their address book?

That won't bypass the junk folder.

In Microsoft's words: "No. Safe Sender list won't be honored."

HighLevel users face an even bigger threat because of the way their sending domains are set up.

There's a critical change you MUST make for every email you send, or your emails will always be delivered straight to the junk folder.

(Send me an email if you want the details.)

Just like Southwest's one-two punch of seating changes then bag fees...

Microsoft's May 5th bombshell is just the beginning.

Google and Yahoo are expected to announce more changes to their already stricter policies later this year.

The choice is yours:

Make sure you're fully in compliance.

Or watch your reliable email income fade away.