The disclosed technology is directed towards delivering electronic messages from senders to recipients in an intelligent way, based on the determined likelihood of each recipient acting on a message. Message delivery can be delayed upon delayed message delivery criterion being satisfied, based on user profile data the user establishes for each messaging application. Predicted recipient user availably, predicted recipient user receptivity and/or the identity of the sender, for example, can be used as factors in determining delivery data representing the likelihood of a recipient acting on a message. Delivery of the message is to a recipient's device is delayed when the delivery data satisfies delayed delivery criterion. The delayed delivery time can be determined from the recipient user's predicted availably and/or receptivity data, and/or the identity of the sender. The sender is notified of a delayed message delivery, and can be presented with options as to other actions to take.