Set up an Exchange mail flow connector to route your ContactMonkey emails through Microsoft 365 and prevent the IP throttling Microsoft can apply while your dedicated SendGrid IP address warms up. This article is for IT administrators configuring SendGrid for their organization.
Adding your dedicated IP to an allow list improves deliverability but does not stop Microsoft's throttling. A mail flow connector prevents throttling by establishing a trusted mail route into Microsoft 365.
Prerequisites
- Exchange Administrator (or Global Administrator) permissions in Microsoft 365
- Your dedicated ContactMonkey IP address, provided by the ContactMonkey Support Team during SendGrid setup
- SendGrid enabled for your organization
Create the Connector in the Exchange Admin Center
- Sign in to the Exchange Admin Center
- Go to Mail flow → Connectors
- Select Add a connector
Configure the Connection Settings
- On the New connector page, set Connection from to Your organization's email server
- Confirm Connection to shows Office 365 — this populates automatically and cannot be changed
- Select Next
Name and Turn On the Connector
- On the Connector name page, enter a name, for example
ContactMonkey Mail Flow - Check Turn it on
- Leave Retain internal Exchange email headers unchecked
- Select Next
Authenticate Sent Email
- Select the option to authenticate sent email by verifying the IP address
- Add your dedicated ContactMonkey IP address
- Select Next
Review and Create the Connector
- On the Review connector page, confirm your settings.
- Select Create connector to finish.
Allow up to 15 minutes for the connector to take effect. Send a small test campaign to confirm messages route correctly before running a full send.
Troubleshooting
Problem: Emails are still throttled or delayed after you create the connector.
Solution: Confirm the connector is turned on, check that the dedicated IP is entered with no extra spaces, and email support@contactmonkey.com to confirm the correct dedicated IP address.