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iCoreHosting Policy: Auto Forwarder Restriction to Public Mail Providers

To protect email delivery quality and to avoid receiver rate limit blocks, iCoreHosting does not allow auto forwarding rules that send to these recipient domains: @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com.

Manual forwarding is allowed, meaning you can open an email and forward it yourself using webmail or an email client. The restriction applies only to automatic forward settings such as control panel forwarders or mailbox level auto forward rules.

Our system will detect and remove any newly added auto forwarder that forwards to the domains above.

Table of Contents

1 Service Direction
2 Introduction
3 Scope
4 Service Transparency
5 Definitions
6 Common Mistakes
7 FAQ
8 Use Case
9 Summary

Service Direction

iCoreHosting email service is designed for business communication that needs consistent delivery. We actively reduce behaviors that trigger outbound bursts from our mail servers, because bursts can cause blocks by large mailbox providers.

Auto forwarders create burst traffic easily because one incoming email can instantly generate many outgoing copies. Manual forwarding is different because it is user initiated and does not create sudden mass bursts at machine speed.

Introduction

Gmail and other public mailbox providers apply strict receiving rules. When a domain has many auto forwarders sending to Gmail, one incoming email can become many forwarded copies within seconds. Gmail may treat this sudden burst from our server IP as bulk unsolicited mail and reject the forwarded copies.

A common rejection looks like this: 550 5.7.1 blocked as likely unsolicited mail.

To reduce repeated delivery failures and to protect mail delivery performance for all customers, iCoreHosting restricts auto forward settings to selected public mailbox domains.

Scope

This policy applies to auto forwarding only.

Not allowed
1 Control panel forwarders in cPanel and DirectAdmin that forward to the blocked domains
2 Mailbox level auto forward rules that forward to the blocked domains
3 Any auto forwarding destination that ends with the domains listed below

Blocked destination domains for auto forwarding: @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com

Allowed
Manual forwarding by the mailbox user using webmail or an email client, because it is not an automatic system rule.

Service Transparency

What iCoreHosting will do

1 Auto forwarders to the blocked domains are disabled by default
2 The system will detect and remove newly added auto forwarders to these domains
3 This reduces burst forwarding and protects server IP reputation and overall delivery quality

Optional exception with Dedicated IP plan

1 Customers on a hosting plan with Dedicated IP may request auto forwarding access to the blocked domains
2 Exception is not automatic and requires support review and approval
3 Dedicated IP reduces impact on other customers because outbound traffic uses the customer Dedicated IP

Important note: Dedicated IP does not guarantee acceptance by Gmail or other providers. If repeated 550 5.7.1 or similar rejections continue, iCoreHosting may re disable the auto forwarding exception.

Definitions

Manual forwarding
A user opens an email and forwards it manually using webmail or an email client.

Auto forwarding
A rule that automatically forwards incoming emails without user action, such as cPanel forwarders, DirectAdmin forwarders, or mailbox level auto forward rules.

Burst forwarding
One incoming email generates many outgoing forwarded copies within seconds due to auto forwarding rules.

Receiver rate limit
Limits applied by the receiving provider to control how many messages can be accepted from the same sender IP in a short time.

Dedicated IP
A unique IP assigned to one customer plan, reducing shared reputation impact compared to shared IP usage.

Common Mistakes

1 Setting many auto forwarders to Gmail and expecting forwarded copies to always be accepted
2 Treating auto forwarders as a group distribution method instead of using a mailing list or group tool
3 Creating forwarding chains that multiply outgoing emails and trigger burst patterns
4 Thinking manual forwarding is blocked, manual forwarding is allowed, only auto forward settings are restricted

FAQ

Q1: Can I forward emails to Gmail?
Yes, manual forwarding is allowed. Auto forward settings to Gmail are not allowed by default.

Q2: Why block only auto forwarding?
Auto forwarding can generate many outbound emails within seconds, which triggers receiver rate limits more easily. Manual forwarding is user initiated and does not create machine speed bursts.

Q3: Which domains are restricted for auto forwarding?
@gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com

Q4: What will happen if I add an auto forwarder to these domains?
The system will detect it and remove it automatically.

Q5: Can I request an exception?
Customers on a plan with Dedicated IP may request an exception for auto forwarding, subject to review. Approval may be removed if repeated rejections occur.

Q6: What is the best alternative if multiple people need the same emails?
Use a proper mailing list or group tool, or use a dedicated email platform for your domain. Auto forwarders are not designed for distribution at scale.

Use Case

Use Case 1: One staff wants to receive a copy in Gmail

Recommended:
1 Keep the mailbox at iCoreHosting
2 Use webmail or an email client to manually forward important emails to Gmail when needed

Use Case 2: Company wants all staff to receive the same emails

Recommended:
1 Use a proper mailing list or group tool for distribution
2 Do not use auto forwarders because they create burst forwarding and trigger receiver rate limits

Use Case 3: Customer insists on auto forwarding to Gmail

Option:
1 Upgrade to a plan with Dedicated IP
2 Submit a support request for auto forwarding exception approval
3 Keep auto forwarders minimal and avoid burst behavior, otherwise forwarding may be disabled again

Summary

1 Manual forwarding is allowed, you can forward emails yourself using webmail or an email client
2 Auto forward settings to @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com are restricted by default due to receiver rate limits
3 One incoming email can become many outgoing emails within seconds when many auto forwarders exist, leading to 550 5.7.1 blocks
4 iCoreHosting system will detect and remove newly added auto forwarders to restricted domains automatically
5 Dedicated IP plans may request an exception for auto forwarding, subject to review and may be disabled again if rejections continue