How do spam complaints from Google and Yahoo inform ESPs, and how should ARF reports be used?
Summary
What email marketers say9Marketer opinions
Email marketer from SendGrid shares that ARF reports provide valuable data about which recipients are marking emails as spam. This data allows senders to promptly remove these recipients from their lists, thereby preventing future complaints and protecting their sender reputation. Automating the processing of ARF reports can streamline this process.
Email marketer from Litmus explains that spam complaints are a direct signal to ISPs about the quality of your email program. High complaint rates can lead to immediate deliverability issues, including emails being filtered into spam folders or blocked entirely. Consistent monitoring and prompt action based on FBL data are critical.
Email marketer from Validity (formerly Return Path) explains that proactive list hygiene, including removing subscribers who consistently mark emails as spam, is essential for maintaining a healthy sender reputation. Regular monitoring of FBL reports and prompt action on complaints can significantly improve deliverability rates.
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that spam complaints directly impact sender reputation, and ESPs use complaint rates as a key factor in deliverability assessment. High complaint rates can lead to emails being filtered into spam folders or blocked entirely. Monitoring and acting upon FBL reports is crucial to maintain a healthy sender reputation.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow shares that processing ARF reports can be automated using scripting languages or specialized software. By parsing these reports, senders can quickly identify and remove complaining users from their lists, minimizing future spam complaints and maintaining a healthy sender reputation. The user shares a python script to complete this action.
Email marketer from GlockApps explains that FBLs are critical for identifying and removing subscribers who mark emails as spam. Integrating FBL data into your email marketing system enables proactive management of your subscriber list and improves deliverability. By promptly addressing complaints, senders can maintain better relationships with ISPs.
Email marketer from Reddit explains that ARF reports are crucial for maintaining a healthy email list. You should automatically unsubscribe users who mark your emails as spam to avoid damaging your sender reputation and ensure better deliverability rates for your future campaigns.
Email marketer from SparkPost shares that managing sender reputation involves actively monitoring complaint rates and using FBL reports to identify and remove problem subscribers. Consistent monitoring and proactive adjustments to email practices based on feedback are essential for maintaining high deliverability and sender trust.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that with the new CFL setup, ARF reports will be sent to the reporting address configured in the SenderHub account. You need to confirm that you can control the DKIM domain and have access to the reporting address, which can now be a different domain.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks explains that Yahoo sends a FBL back to the domain in the DKIM signature that has registered for the CFBL. If that is the ESP domain, then they will get that. Or, when you register you can have the reports sent to the ESP, which needs to be worked out with the ESP.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that if you're getting the FBL report then you have to handle the suppression of that address.
Expert from Spam Resource (John Levine) explains that feedback loops (FBLs) provide senders with data on spam complaints, allowing them to identify and remove problematic recipients. These reports are crucial for maintaining a clean mailing list and a positive sender reputation, as high complaint rates can negatively impact deliverability.
Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) shares that ARF reports contain vital information about why subscribers are marking emails as spam, enabling senders to address specific deliverability issues. She emphasizes the importance of promptly processing these reports and making necessary adjustments to email content and targeting strategies to reduce future complaints.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that Google does not have a traditional FBL. They simply provide Google Postmaster Tools as a measure of how many complaints you're getting.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Yahoo explains that the Complaint Feedback Loop (CFBL) allows senders to receive reports about user-reported spam complaints. Senders register their domains and set up a reporting address to receive ARF (Abuse Reporting Format) reports when Yahoo Mail users mark their emails as spam. The sender must then process these reports and remove complaining users from their mailing lists.
Documentation from RFC Editor explains the Abuse Reporting Format (ARF), a standardized format for email feedback reports that ISPs use to notify senders of complaints. These reports typically include information about the original message, the complaining user, and the reason for the complaint, allowing senders to understand and address deliverability issues.
Documentation from Microsoft shares that Microsoft's Junk Email Reporting program allows users to report unwanted emails. Microsoft uses these reports to improve their spam filters and identify malicious senders. While not a direct FBL, these reports contribute to the overall assessment of a sender's reputation.
Documentation from Google explains that the Feedback Loop (FBL) is a mechanism where participating ISPs (like Google) forward complaints from their users about specific messages back to the sender. This helps senders identify campaigns that are generating a high volume of spam complaints.