Are there any current issues with Yahoo FBL emails?

Summary

The responses indicate a mix of experiences regarding Yahoo FBL emails. While some initial reports from Email Geeks suggested possible issues, later confirming an internal issue acknowledged by Yahoo, a broader perspective emerges. Experts emphasize the importance of adhering to deliverability best practices, including authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining low spam rates (below 0.3% as per Yahoo/AOL requirements), and ensuring easy unsubscription processes. Upcoming stricter requirements from Yahoo and Gmail in 2024 necessitate these practices. Problems with Yahoo FBL can be intermittent or related to Yahoo's internal systems. Deliverability issues from poor sending practices or authentication problems indirectly affect FBL data reliability. Documentation from Yahoo Help, RFC Editor, DMARC.org, and SparkPost reinforce the importance of following email deliverability best practices and understanding the underlying protocols. Experts recommend monitoring overall email health, cross-referencing FBL data with other metrics, and verifying FBL setup with Yahoo if issues persist. DMARC reports provide supplementary insights into authentication and spam complaints. It's essential to ensure compliance with evolving email requirements, maintain sender reputation, and proactively troubleshoot deliverability problems.

Key findings

  • Yahoo FBL Issues Existed: There were internal issues with Yahoo FBL, acknowledged by Yahoo.
  • Authentication is Crucial: Adhering to authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for FBL reporting and deliverability.
  • Upcoming Requirements: Stricter requirements from Yahoo and Gmail in 2024 emphasize authentication, low spam rates, and easy unsubscription.
  • Deliverability Impacts FBL: Poor deliverability impacts FBL data and reliability.
  • Holistic Monitoring Needed: Monitor overall email health, cross-referencing FBL with other metrics (e.g., DMARC reports).
  • Validate Setup: If FBL issues persist, validation of FBL setup with Yahoo should be validated.

Key considerations

  • Compliance: Comply with Yahoo/AOL and Gmail requirements for authentication, spam, and unsubscribe practices.
  • Monitoring: Continuously monitor deliverability metrics (authentication, bounce rates, spam complaints) alongside FBL data.
  • Troubleshooting: Cross-reference FBL data with other metrics; contact Yahoo support for persistent issues.
  • Authentication Implementation: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication protocols correctly.
  • List Hygiene: Maintain a clean email list and monitor its health continuously to avoid deliverability problems.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

There have been recent reports and acknowledgements of issues with Yahoo FBL (Feedback Loop) emails. Some email marketers have directly observed problems, with Yahoo even acknowledging internal issues. These problems might be intermittent and related to Yahoo's internal systems. Furthermore, Yahoo and AOL are tightening email requirements, emphasizing authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), low spam rates (below 0.3%), and easy unsubscription. Failure to meet these standards can impact FBL data and overall deliverability. Deliverability issues from poor sending practices or authentication problems can also indirectly affect FBL data reliability. It is advisable to cross-reference FBL data with other deliverability metrics and contact Yahoo support if problems persist. In general, maintaining overall email health, including authentication status, bounce rates, and spam complaints, is crucial for monitoring deliverability.

Key opinions

  • Yahoo FBL Issues: There are reported and acknowledged issues with Yahoo FBL emails.
  • Authentication Importance: Yahoo and AOL are tightening email requirements, emphasizing authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  • Deliverability Impact: Deliverability issues stemming from poor sending practices or authentication problems can indirectly affect FBL data reliability.
  • 2024 Requirements: New requirements from Yahoo and Gmail may require authentication and other best practices.

Key considerations

  • Compliance: Ensure compliance with Yahoo and AOL's new email requirements regarding authentication, spam rates, and unsubscription processes.
  • Monitoring: Monitor overall email health metrics, including authentication status, bounce rates, and spam complaints, alongside FBL data.
  • Troubleshooting: Cross-reference FBL data with other deliverability metrics and contact Yahoo support if inconsistencies or delays persist.
  • Stay Updated: Keep abreast of updates to FBL processes with Yahoo and other email providers.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow shares that problems with Yahoo FBL can sometimes be intermittent and related to Yahoo's internal systems. The advice is to ensure that all sending practices are compliant and to monitor trends over time to differentiate between temporary glitches and systemic issues.

August 2024 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that deliverability problems could mask or exacerbate any underlying issues with Yahoo FBL reports. The guide emphasizes the importance of monitoring overall email health, which includes authentication status, bounce rates, and spam complaints, to provide a broader picture of deliverability issues.

April 2023 - Email On Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity Blog discusses changes from Yahoo and Gmail for 2024, emphasizing the need for senders to authenticate their email. The article indicates that if authentication standards aren't met and spam rates are high, inbox placement will suffer, which would indirectly affect the accuracy and reception of FBL data.

May 2022 - Validity Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks is seeing issues on their end across multiple ESPs.

January 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms there is an issue, sharing that they emailed details to Marcel.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares there shouldn’t be Yahoo FBL issues and offers support team contact information if reports are expected but not received.

January 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Yahoo has acknowledged the issue is internal.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet highlights upcoming stricter requirements from Yahoo and Gmail in Q1 2024 that will affect email senders, including bulk senders. These changes will necessitate proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), easy unsubscription, and keeping spam rates low. Not meeting these standards might result in deliverability issues, likely affecting FBL data reception.

June 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog warns that Yahoo and AOL are tightening email requirements, which could impact FBL data if not compliant. Senders should authenticate email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, keep spam rates under 0.3%, and use an easy unsubscribe process to avoid being marked as spam, affecting FBL feedback.

January 2025 - Neil Patel's Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid touches upon Yahoo/AOL requirements for 2024 - senders will need to authenticate email with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, keep spam rates under 0.3%, and use an easy unsubscribe process to avoid being marked as spam, affecting FBL feedback, similar to Neil Patel's blog

April 2021 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus points out that deliverability issues, resulting from poor sending practices or authentication problems, can indirectly affect the reliability of FBL data. Litmus emphasizes monitoring overall deliverability metrics to identify potential problems with inbox placement.

May 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit User r/emailmarketing mentions that others may be experiencing delays or inconsistencies with FBL reports from Yahoo. The suggestion is to cross-reference with other deliverability metrics and potentially contact Yahoo support if the issues persist.

February 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks is starting to see the Yahoo FBL issue today, for statistically significant amount of senders

October 2021 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts from Spam Resource and Word to the Wise emphasize adherence to email deliverability best practices, including authentication, list hygiene, and reputation monitoring. When FBLs are not received or accuracy is questionable, they recommend checking FBL setup with Yahoo and ensuring registration validity.

Key opinions

  • Best Practices Essential: Authentication, list hygiene, and reputation monitoring are critical for email deliverability and FBL functionality.
  • FBL Troubleshooting: When FBLs aren't received or are inaccurate, verify FBL setup with Yahoo.

Key considerations

  • Regular Audits: Periodically audit your email sending practices and FBL setup with Yahoo to ensure compliance and proper functionality.
  • Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive monitoring of your sender reputation and list hygiene to identify and address potential issues early.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise indicates senders should adhere to best practices for deliverability, including setting up authentication, list hygiene and monitoring reputation. If FBLs are not being received or there are concerns about the accuracy of FBL data, the recommendation is to verify FBL setup with Yahoo.

April 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource (Laura Atkins) discusses the importance of Feedback Loops (FBLs) in general. Though not directly about Yahoo FBL issues, the article describes what to do when you are not receiving FBL's which includes authentication, list hygiene and checking your registration is still valid.

March 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Documentation from Yahoo, RFC Editor, DMARC.org, and SparkPost highlights the importance of following email deliverability best practices. This includes proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitoring sender reputation, maintaining list hygiene, and understanding underlying email protocols (SMTP). Failure to adhere to these practices can lead to deliverability issues and impact the functionality of Feedback Loops (FBLs). DMARC reports can provide complementary insights into authentication problems and spam complaints. Poor authentication or high complaint rates can affect FBL mechanisms and potentially result in throttling or blocking by Yahoo.

Key findings

  • Adherence to Best Practices: Following email deliverability best practices is crucial for FBL functionality.
  • Importance of Authentication: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is vital for ensuring email deliverability and FBL reporting.
  • Impact of Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation, resulting from high complaint rates or poor authentication, can impact FBL mechanisms and lead to throttling or blocking.
  • Complementary Insights: DMARC reports offer valuable insights into authentication issues and spam complaints, complementing FBL data.

Key considerations

  • Implement Robust Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails and improve sender reputation.
  • Monitor Sender Reputation: Regularly monitor your sender reputation metrics, including complaint rates, bounce rates, and spam trap hits.
  • Analyze DMARC Reports: Analyze DMARC reports to identify and address authentication issues and potential spam complaints.
  • Maintain List Hygiene: Regularly clean your email lists to remove inactive or problematic addresses.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost outlines best practices for ensuring deliverability, noting that poor authentication or high complaint rates can impact feedback loop mechanisms. SparkPost advises closely monitoring all sender reputation metrics, as Yahoo may throttle or block senders with poor reputations, affecting FBL data.

July 2024 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org discusses DMARC setup and reporting, including Aggregate Reports (RUA) and Forensic Reports (RUF). Although not specific to Yahoo, DMARC reports provide valuable insights into potential authentication issues and spam complaints, acting as a broader feedback loop that can complement or highlight FBL issues if Yahoo's FBL is not functioning as expected.

December 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Yahoo Help indicates that senders need to adhere to best practices for deliverability, including setting up authentication and monitoring reputation. While it doesn't specifically call out FBL issues, it implies that problems with deliverability can stem from not following their guidelines.

July 2024 - Yahoo Help
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor explains that while RFC doesn't directly address Yahoo FBL, it is useful for understanding the underlying protocols and standards, such as SMTP and authentication methods, which are crucial for ensuring proper FBL reporting. Incorrect setups of these systems can impact FBL functionality.

February 2023 - RFC Editor