What causes Yahoo TSS04 errors for opted-in email lists and how can I resolve them?
Summary
What email marketers say11Marketer opinions
Email marketer from StackOverflow User EmailGuru explains that throttling email volume and gradually increasing it can prevent temporary deferrals. Sudden spikes in volume can trigger TSS04 errors, so a gradual approach is recommended.
Email marketer from Litmus shares that optimizing the email user experience, including clear and easy-to-find unsubscribe links, reduces the likelihood of users marking emails as spam. A straightforward unsubscribe process improves sender reputation.
Email marketer from SendGrid explains that monitoring and responding to feedback loops (FBLs) helps identify and remove users who mark emails as spam. Timely action on FBL data can prevent TSS04 errors and improve deliverability.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that even recently opted-in users may not want emails anymore, and spam filters prioritize user behavior over opt-in status. An "unexpected volume of user complaints" indicates recipients dislike the message.
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that high complaint rates, even with opted-in lists, can trigger TSS04 errors. They recommend monitoring feedback loops and promptly removing complainants from the mailing list to mitigate the issue.
Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailPro shares that segmenting lists based on engagement levels and sending targeted content can reduce complaint rates. Sending different content to active and inactive subscribers can improve overall engagement.
Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog shares that improving email engagement through personalization and segmentation can reduce complaints. He suggests sending relevant content to specific audience segments to increase positive interaction and decrease the likelihood of users marking emails as spam.
Email marketer from EmailOversight shares that using double opt-in methods ensures subscribers genuinely want to receive emails. Confirmed opt-in processes reduce the risk of spam complaints and improve sender reputation.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign shares that personalizing email content based on user preferences and behaviors can increase engagement and reduce spam complaints. Tailoring emails to individual interests improves the overall user experience.
Marketer from Email Geeks recommends setting up Feedback Loops (FBL) to monitor and act on complaints. They also suggest following the recommendations on the Yahoo senders page and reaching out to Yahoo if the errors seem unwarranted.
Marketer from Email Geeks recommends proper list hygiene, including stopping sending to unengaged users. They also suggest making unsubscribing easier than reporting as spam by making the unsubscribe link big and obvious.
What the experts say2Expert opinions
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that understanding and acting upon bounce codes (including temporary failures that might precede or contribute to TSS04 issues) is essential for good email deliverability. They emphasize analyzing bounce messages to identify and address underlying issues like list quality or content problems.
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that segmenting your mailing lists and suppressing unengaged subscribers is crucial to maintain a healthy sending reputation and avoid issues like TSS04 errors. Regular list cleaning helps ensure that you're only sending to recipients who actively want your emails.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from Yahoo Help Central explains that TSS04 errors indicate temporary deferral due to unexpected volume or user complaints, suggesting recipients might not be engaging positively with the emails despite being opted-in.
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for deliverability. Monitoring spam rates and IP reputation helps identify and address issues that could lead to deferrals.
Documentation from RFC details SMTP error codes, highlighting that temporary deferrals like TSS04 often indicate temporary issues requiring sender adjustments, such as reducing volume or improving content relevance.
Documentation from Microsoft explains that exceeding sending limits can trigger temporary deferrals. Understanding and adhering to sending limits helps maintain a positive sender reputation and prevents deliverability issues.
Documentation from SparkPost explains that maintaining a clean email list by removing inactive subscribers and those who haven't engaged recently can reduce complaint rates. Regularly cleaning your list improves sender reputation and deliverability.