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Yahoo and AOL

554 5.7.9 “Message not accepted for policy reasons”

Yahoo couldn't verify that the message came from a legitimate sender for its domain. Yahoo and AOL require SPF or DKIM from every sender, and both plus DMARC from bulk senders.

Codes: 554 5.7.9. Source: Yahoo Sender Hub: SMTP error codes.

What usually causes it

  • DMARC or DKIM failed for the From domain.
  • Mail with a yahoo.com or aol.com From address sent through a server that isn't Yahoo's.
  • A mailing list that changes messages on the way.

How to fix it

  • Send from your own domain, signed with DKIM for that domain.
  • Mailing lists: put the list's address in From and the real sender in Reply-To.
The free email check can find part of this

The free check shows your SPF, DKIM and DMARC records. A message-level failure needs the bounced message's headers.

Run the free email check

Want it fixed? Our email deliverability packages start at $49 for an audit and plan. Other error codes.