Infrastructure
Mailbox Provider
A service that hosts email accounts and manages inbox delivery (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo).
Definition
A mailbox provider is a service that hosts email accounts and manages inbox delivery for end users. Major mailbox providers include Gmail (Google), Outlook/Hotmail (Microsoft), Yahoo, iCloud (Apple), and AOL. Each provider has its own filtering algorithms and reputation systems. Understanding how each provider handles email helps optimize deliverability.