What ESPs use Validity's FBLs and what is the status of Comcast data and DKIM FBL implementation?

Summary

The responses address the usage of Validity's FBLs, the status of Comcast data, and the implementation of DKIM FBL. AWeber opted out of Validity's FBLs due to perceived ineffectiveness and desires access to Comcast data. DKIM FBL v2 is released, with AWeber showing interest, but the initial draft needs more feedback and development. Monitoring DNS records is suggested as an alternative to routing reports. Major ESPs generally support FBLs, although the reporting quality varies among ISPs. Validity offers FBL aggregation services. FBLs, governed by ARF standards, are crucial for identifying problematic addresses, managing sender reputation, and enhancing deliverability. Comcast blocks senders with poor engagement, emphasizing list hygiene and engagement monitoring. DKIM enhances email authentication, but its impact on deliverability depends on ISP spam filtering algorithms.

Key findings

  • AWeber's Stance: AWeber has not adopted Validity's FBLs due to their perceived limitations and expresses interest in Comcast data.
  • DKIM FBL Progress: DKIM FBL v2 is available, but the initial draft needs further refinement and adoption.
  • FBL Support Landscape: Most major ESPs support FBLs, but the quality of reporting varies considerably among ISPs.
  • ARF Standards: Feedback loops are governed by ARF standards, facilitating standardized abuse reporting.
  • Comcast Blocking: Comcast implements blocking based on low engagement or high complaint rates.
  • Validity's Role: Validity offers feedback loop reporting services, centralizing FBL data.
  • DNS Monitoring Alternative: Monitoring DNS records provides a simpler alternative to routing reports for assessing FBL status.

Key considerations

  • Varying ISP Reporting: The quality and extent of feedback loops vary widely across different ISPs.
  • Holistic Approach: Employing FBLs alongside other deliverability best practices helps to optimize email performance.
  • Data-Driven Optimization: Actively monitoring and responding to FBL data, along with other engagement metrics, is crucial for maintaining a positive sender reputation and high deliverability rates.
  • List Hygiene Practices: Regularly cleaning and maintaining your email list helps avoid blocks and improve overall engagement.
  • Implementation Considerations: Successfully implementing DKIM-FBL requires community involvement and ongoing code improvements.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

The question focuses on which ESPs utilize Validity's Feedback Loops (FBLs), the status of Comcast data, and the progress of DKIM FBL implementation. AWeber has not signed up for Validity's FBLs due to their perceived ineffectiveness. While major ESPs generally support FBLs to manage sender reputation, the level of reporting varies significantly among ISPs. DKIM FBL v2 has been released, with AWeber expressing willingness to implement it. The DKIM FBL draft is still under development, lacking substantial feedback and coding efforts. Monitoring DNS records is suggested as an alternative to routing reports. Validity offers an FBL reporting service, and various sources highlight the crucial role of FBLs in identifying problematic addresses, reducing spam complaints, and improving sender reputation and email deliverability.

Key opinions

  • FBL Support: Most major ESPs support Feedback Loops (FBLs) to help senders manage their reputation by identifying users who mark emails as spam.
  • Validity's Role: Validity offers a Feedback Loop Reporting service that aggregates FBL data, emphasizing the importance of FBLs for removing problematic recipients.
  • DKIM FBL Status: DKIM FBL v2 has been released, but the draft version is still under development and lacks substantial feedback.
  • Comcast Data: AWeber wishes they could get Comcast data, suggesting it's a valuable but currently inaccessible resource.
  • AWeber's Implementation: AWeber has not signed up for Validity's FBLs, citing their ineffectiveness, but expresses willingness to implement DKIM FBL.
  • DNS Monitoring: Monitoring DNS records is suggested as a simpler alternative to routing reports for assessing FBL implementation.

Key considerations

  • Varied ISP Support: The level of feedback loops provided by ISPs varies heavily, with some offering basic or no reporting.
  • DKIM Impact: While DKIM is crucial for authentication, its direct impact on deliverability depends on how ISPs use it; FBLs provide valuable insight into these processes.
  • Ongoing Process: Maintaining good deliverability and sender reputation requires ongoing monitoring and action based on FBL data.
  • Proactive Management: Actively participating in FBLs helps identify and remove problematic addresses, reducing spam complaints and improving sender reputation.
  • Implementation Efforts: Implementation of new standards, like DKIM FBL, requires industry feedback and coding efforts to be effective.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet.com details the importance of using FBLs to maintain sender reputation by helping identify and remove subscribers who mark messages as spam, which improves email deliverability rates.

February 2025 - Mailjet.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that AWeber didn't sign up for Validity's FBLs because it hasn't changed anything. They wish they could get Comcast data, as the other FBLs provide a tiny trickle of data that doesn't matter.

October 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the draft has received minimal feedback, and could change substantially. They would have a hard time convincing anyone to code that up until it progresses.

January 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester.com explains that FBLs offer many benefits, including identifying problem addresses, reducing spam complaints, and improving sender reputation. Also states it helps maintain high deliverability rates with major ISPs.

November 2022 - EmailToolTester.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange notes that while DKIM is crucial for authentication, its direct impact on deliverability depends on how ISPs use it in their spam filtering algorithms. FBLs provide valuable insight into these processes.

June 2021 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailDeliverability.com states FBLs are essential for understanding your sender reputation because they reveal how recipients perceive your emails, affecting deliverability and inbox placement.

March 2024 - EmailDeliverability.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus details the need for FBLs to monitor spam complaints, manage sender reputation, and improve email deliverability. They note it's an ongoing process that's critical for maintaining good relationships with ISPs.

June 2022 - Litmus.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks says that monitoring DNS records is easier than routing reports and anyone could do it if they have the information from DKIM signatures, adding that current numbers are likely 0.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks, Tom Kulzer, mentions the release of DKIM FBL v2 and AWeber's willingness to implement it, followed by Marketer Alex Brotman inviting others to share feedback. Kulzer describes the DNS update as trivial, Brotman agreeing that it depends on self-created needs but can be flexible while easy for most use cases.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity.com shares that Validity offers a Feedback Loop Reporting service which aggregates FBL data from participating ISPs. While not listing specific ESPs, they emphasize the importance of FBLs for identifying and removing problematic recipients.

May 2024 - Validity.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Kickbox.com explains that most major ESPs support feedback loops (FBLs) to help senders manage their reputation by identifying users who mark their emails as spam.

June 2021 - Kickbox.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost.com details the process of setting up feedback loops (FBLs) with various ISPs, including those that provide aggregated reporting. They explain how to register with each ISP individually to receive abuse reports.

August 2022 - SparkPost.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit says that the level of feedback loops that ISPs provide varies heavily, with some only offering very basic reporting, and others offering advanced reporting. Some may not offer any.

June 2021 - Reddit

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

The provided answers relate to feedback loops (FBLs) and Comcast's email policies. FBLs are mechanisms through which ISPs inform senders about spam complaints, allowing them to identify and remove problematic addresses, thus enhancing deliverability. Comcast is known to block senders with low engagement or high complaint rates, highlighting the importance of maintaining clean email lists and actively monitoring engagement metrics to prevent being blocked.

Key opinions

  • FBL Functionality: Feedback loops (FBLs) enable ISPs to notify senders of spam complaints, aiding in identifying and removing problematic email addresses.
  • Comcast Blocking: Comcast blocks senders who exhibit low engagement or generate high complaint rates.

Key considerations

  • List Hygiene: Maintaining a clean and engaged email list is crucial for avoiding blocks and ensuring high deliverability.
  • Engagement Monitoring: Actively monitoring engagement metrics is necessary to identify and address potential issues before they lead to blocking.
  • FBL Participation: Actively participating in FBLs is essential for understanding and addressing recipient complaints, thereby improving sender reputation and deliverability.
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that Comcast is known to block senders due to low engagement or high complaint rates. Maintaining a clean list and monitoring engagement are crucial for avoiding blocks.

September 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that feedback loops (FBLs) are provided by ISPs to let senders know when recipients mark their messages as spam. Participating in FBLs helps senders identify and remove problematic addresses from their lists, improving deliverability.

August 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

The provided documentation references highlight the importance of feedback loops (FBLs) and DKIM in email deliverability. RFC-Editor.org outlines standards for abuse reporting (ARF) used in FBLs. The IETF details the DKIM-FBL specification, enabling disposition reporting via DKIM signatures. Sourceforge.net emphasizes FBLs' necessity for monitoring DKIM-signed email. Google Support underscores consistently monitoring and acting on FBL data to maintain deliverability and a positive sender reputation, especially with Gmail users.

Key findings

  • ARF Standard: RFC-Editor.org outlines official standards for managing abuse reporting using ARF within feedback loops.
  • DKIM-FBL Spec: The IETF details the DKIM Feedback Loop (DKIM-FBL) specification, enabling reporting of message disposition via DKIM signatures.
  • FBL Necessity: FBLs are necessary for monitoring DKIM-signed email delivery and resolving deliverability issues.
  • Google's Emphasis: Google Support states that consistently monitoring and acting on feedback loop data is vital for maintaining deliverability and sender reputation with Gmail users.

Key considerations

  • Standard Compliance: Adhering to standards such as ARF is important for proper abuse reporting in FBLs.
  • DKIM-FBL Utilization: Implementing DKIM-FBL specifications can provide valuable insights into message disposition.
  • Active Monitoring: Continuously monitor and act upon FBL data to maintain optimal deliverability and sender reputation.
  • DKIM Synergy: Using DKIM in conjunction with FBLs allows you to take a proactive approach to email deliverability and sender authentication
Technical article

Documentation from sourceforge.net, although discussing dkimproxy, explains how DKIM works and the necessity for FBLs to monitor DKIM-signed email delivery and resolve deliverability issues.

August 2023 - sourceforge.net
Technical article

Documentation from IETF details the DKIM Feedback Loop (DKIM-FBL) specification that enables reporting of message disposition back to the sender based on DKIM signatures.

April 2022 - datatracker.ietf.org
Technical article

Documentation from RFC-Editor.org outlines the official standards for managing abuse reporting using ARF (Abuse Reporting Format), which are utilized in feedback loops to communicate spam complaints.

May 2024 - RFC-Editor.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support states that consistently monitoring and acting on feedback loop data is necessary to maintain high deliverability rates and a positive sender reputation with Gmail users.

June 2023 - support.google.com