Is the Charter.net feedback loop still functional?

5 Marketer opinions 1 Expert opinion 3 Technical articles 1 Resource

Summary

Multiple sources, including email marketers, support documentation, and an expert from Word to the Wise forums, indicate that Charter.net (Spectrum) no longer offers a functional feedback loop (FBL). The reasons cited for this discontinuation include low usage, abuse, and changes implemented several years ago. While technical documentation outlines the standards and practices for FBLs in general, it confirms neither the current existence nor absence of a Charter.net FBL. Thus, email marketers should focus on alternative methods for managing sender reputation and ensuring deliverability.

Key findings

Charter.net FBL Status: Charter.net (Spectrum) does not provide a functional or public feedback loop at this time.
Reasons for Discontinuation: Discontinuation of the FBL is attributed to factors like low usage, abuse, and policy changes implemented by Charter.net.
Industry Knowledge: Industry professionals and resources confirm the lack of a Charter.net FBL based on their own research and user experiences.

Key considerations

Alternative FBLs: Utilize feedback loops from other major ISPs to monitor and address complaint rates as an alternative to Charter.net's FBL.
Email Authentication: Implement and maintain robust email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability.
List Hygiene: Practice diligent list hygiene by removing inactive subscribers and managing subscriptions effectively to minimize spam complaints.
Blocklist Monitoring: Proactively monitor blocklists to identify and resolve deliverability issues that may arise from Charter.net users marking emails as spam.
Engagement Metrics: Focus on engagement metrics, like open rates and click-through rates, as an indicator of deliverability and sender reputation.

What email marketers say
5Marketer opinions

Multiple sources indicate that Charter.net (Spectrum) no longer offers a functional feedback loop (FBL). This has been attributed to low usage, abuse, or a general discontinuation of the program. Email marketers should focus on alternative methods for managing sender reputation and deliverability.

Key opinions

FBL Discontinued: Charter.net (Spectrum) does not currently operate a public feedback loop.
Support Confirmation: Contacting Charter support reportedly confirms the discontinuation of the FBL program.
Third-Party Lists: Major email deliverability and validation services do not include Charter.net in their lists of active FBLs.
User Experience: Email marketers report difficulty or inability to establish or maintain a working Charter.net FBL in recent years.

Key considerations

Alternative FBLs: Utilize feedback loops offered by other major ISPs to monitor and address complaint rates.
Authentication: Implement robust email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability.
List Hygiene: Maintain a clean and engaged email list to minimize complaints and spam reports.
Blocklist Monitoring: Proactively monitor blocklists to identify and resolve potential deliverability issues.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow says they contacted Charter support and was told they discontinued the FBL program due to low usage and abuse.

February 2024 - Stack Overflow

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit mentions that they haven't been able to get a Charter.net FBL working in years, and suggests focusing on authentication and list hygiene instead.

June 2021 - Reddit

Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerMailer Knowledge Base confirms that Charter.net (Spectrum) does not currently offer a public feedback loop. They suggest using complaint feedback loops from other major ISPs to manage sender reputation.

December 2023 - MailerMailer Knowledge Base

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that the Charter.net feedback loop is no longer functional, or at least not functional at the moment.

January 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity Knowledge Base states that they don't show one in their current lists of feedback loops available to email senders. They recommend monitoring blocklists to identify and address deliverability issues.

October 2022 - Validity Knowledge Base

What the experts say
1Expert opinion

An expert from Word to the Wise forums suggests that Charter.net (Spectrum) no longer provides a functional feedback loop. Emphasis should be put on employing strong authentication methods and keeping complaint rates low through proper list management.

Key opinions

No Functional FBL: Charter.net (Spectrum) does not currently support a working feedback loop.
Changes Implemented: Changes implemented several years ago likely led to the discontinuation of the FBL.

Key considerations

Authentication Practices: Focus on robust email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability without an FBL.
Complaint Rates: Maintain low complaint rates through diligent list hygiene practices, such as removing inactive subscribers and managing subscriptions carefully.

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise forums indicates Charter.net (Spectrum) no longer supports a functional feedback loop, citing changes implemented several years ago. Focus should be placed on robust authentication practices and maintaining low complaint rates through list hygiene.

December 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Technical documentation from IETF outlines the Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) for feedback loops in general. Spamhaus documentation details feedback loop practices and blocklist monitoring. Return Path documentation indicates that Time Warner Cable (now Charter Spectrum) discontinued its feedback loop program in 2016-2017.

Key findings

ARF Standard: IETF provides the standard Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) for feedback loop implementation.
General FBL Practices: Spamhaus offers guidance on general feedback loop practices and blocklist monitoring.
FBL Discontinued: Return Path documents that Charter Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable) discontinued its feedback loop in 2016-2017.

Key considerations

Technical Specifications: Understand the ARF standard when setting up or troubleshooting feedback loops (even if Charter Spectrum doesn't offer one).
Reputation Monitoring: Monitor blocklists and sender reputation, as recommended by Spamhaus, to maintain deliverability.
Alternative Metrics: Focus on authentication and engagement metrics, as Return Path suggests, since Charter Spectrum no longer has a feedback loop.

Technical article

Documentation from ietf.org explains the requirements for Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) which feedback loops would follow. Provides information about technical specifications for FBL implementation but does not confirm whether Charter.net is operating an FBL.

July 2023 - ietf.org

Technical article

Documentation from Spamhaus provides information on general feedback loop practices and blocklist monitoring. While it does not specify Charter.net's FBL status, it offers guidance on maintaining sender reputation and identifying deliverability issues.

March 2024 - Spamhaus

Technical article

Documentation from Return Path indicated that Time Warner Cable (now Charter Spectrum) discontinued its feedback loop program in 2016-2017. Focus on authentication and engagement metrics for delivery.

April 2024 - Return Path