Why is AboutMy.Email reporting RFC 8058 failure for one-click unsubscribe?

8 Marketer opinions 7 Expert opinions 4 Technical articles 2 Resources

Summary

AboutMy.Email reports RFC 8058 failures for one-click unsubscribe due to a multitude of reasons related to List-Unsubscribe header implementation, unsubscribe endpoint configuration, server-side processing, and compliance with the one-click unsubscribe standard. Root causes include: AboutMy.Email itself having a bug (expecting 200 OK instead of accepting 202 Accepted), issues with 202 Accepted responses not resulting in actual unsubscribes, incorrect header syntax, non-functional unsubscribe endpoints, lack of server support for POST requests, server errors, authentication requirements violating RFC 8058, and the failure to properly log and action unsubscribe requests. Maintaining consistent and reliable unsubscribe processing is crucial for preserving sender reputation.

Key findings

AboutMy.Email Bug: AboutMy.Email may incorrectly flag valid 202 Accepted responses as errors.
Incomplete 202 Processing: A 202 Accepted response must be followed by actual unsubscription processing; otherwise, it violates RFC 8058 principles.
Header Implementation Errors: Incorrect List-Unsubscribe header syntax and implementation are a major source of RFC 8058 failures.
Endpoint Configuration Issues: Non-functional unsubscribe endpoints or lack of POST request support at the endpoint cause errors.
Authentication Violations: Requiring authentication at the unsubscribe endpoint (resulting in a 403 Forbidden error) violates the RFC 8058 one-click unsubscribe standard.
Server-Side Problems: Server errors (500 Internal Server Error, 503 Service Unavailable) can impede successful unsubscribe processing.
Unsubscribe Logging Failure: Failing to log and action unsubscribe requests properly leads to RFC 8058 non-compliance.
405 Method Not Allowed Error: If you receive this error then your server might not be set up to receive POST requests.
Reputation Impact: Inconsistent unsubscribe processes lead to a damaged sender reputation.

Key considerations

Response Code Handling: Correctly handle 200 OK and 202 Accepted responses, or determine if AboutMy.Email has been updated to properly handle 202 responses.
Verify Unsubscribe Action: When issuing a 202 Accepted response, ensure the user is actually unsubscribed in a timely manner.
Thorough Header Validation: Scrutinize the List-Unsubscribe header implementation against RFC 8058 guidelines.
Endpoint Functionality Testing: Extensively test the unsubscribe endpoint to ensure it functions correctly and handles POST requests effectively.
Authentication Removal: Remove any authentication requirements from the unsubscribe endpoint completely.
ESP Compliance Review: If using an ESP, verify they are adhering to RFC 8058 standards for one-click unsubscribe.
Consistent Unsubscribe Processing: Implement a robust and reliable unsubscribe processing system to maintain a positive sender reputation.
Server Configuration Check: For a 405 error check your server to make sure that you allow the POST requests

What email marketers say
8Marketer opinions

AboutMy.Email reports RFC 8058 failures for one-click unsubscribe primarily due to issues with the List-Unsubscribe header configuration and the handling of the unsubscribe POST request. Common problems include incorrect header syntax, server errors, authentication requirements on the unsubscribe endpoint (violating RFC 8058), the server not processing the POST request correctly, and failure to actually unsubscribe the user or log the unsubscribe action.

Key opinions

Header Misconfiguration: Incorrect syntax or improper setup of the List-Unsubscribe header is a common cause.
Endpoint Issues: Problems with the unsubscribe endpoint receiving and processing the POST request can lead to failure.
Authentication Errors: Requiring authentication on the unsubscribe endpoint violates RFC 8058 standards and triggers errors.
Server-Side Processing: If the server doesn't properly process the POST request to unsubscribe users, it will trigger the error.
Unsubscribe Logging: Failure to properly record and action the unsubscribe request results in RFC 8058 failure.
403 Error: A 403 Forbidden error is commonly a server issue that is requiring authentication, which breaks the one click unsubscribe standards.
405 Error: A 405 Method Not Allowed error commonly is a server issue that is requiring you to specifically allow the POST request from an unsubscribe.

Key considerations

Header Validation: Double-check the List-Unsubscribe header syntax and ensure correct configuration.
Endpoint Testing: Thoroughly test the unsubscribe endpoint to confirm it properly receives and processes POST requests.
Authentication Removal: Ensure the unsubscribe endpoint is publicly accessible and does not require any form of authentication.
Server Configuration: Verify server-side processing correctly handles the unsubscribe request and returns a success response.
Action Logging: Implement a system to properly log and process unsubscribe requests, ensuring users are actually unsubscribed.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit discusses the need for thoroughly testing the one-click unsubscribe process. They mention potential issues where the unsubscribe request isn't properly processed, leading to RFC 8058 failures.

July 2023 - Reddit

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Tips explains a common cause for one-click unsubscribe failure is improper configuration of the List-Unsubscribe header or issues with the endpoint that receives the unsubscribe POST request. This can include server errors or authentication requirements on the unsubscribe endpoint.

January 2024 - Email Marketing Tips

Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailchimp explains that a common cause for one-click unsubscribe failure is not actually unsubscribing people and not logging it. The service needs to register that they have been unsubscribed.

October 2024 - Mailchimp

Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow shares that a 403 error in the context of one-click unsubscribe suggests the server is requiring authentication, which is non-compliant with the RFC 8058 standard. The unsubscribe endpoint should be publicly accessible without requiring a login.

April 2021 - Stack Overflow

Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus indicates problems can arise from incorrect implementation of the List-Unsubscribe header, such as incorrect syntax or the endpoint not correctly processing unsubscribe requests. They emphasize testing to ensure proper function.

July 2021 - Litmus

Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that a common cause for one-click unsubscribe failure is improper configuration of the List-Unsubscribe header or issues with the endpoint that receives the unsubscribe POST request. This can include server errors or authentication requirements on the unsubscribe endpoint.

April 2021 - Mailjet

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid identifies the List-Unsubscribe header misconfigurations, server-side processing errors, or issues with properly registering the unsubscribe action as potential reasons for AboutMy.Email reporting an RFC 8058 failure.

September 2022 - Email on Acid

Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains 405 error in the context of one-click unsubscribe suggests the server isn't setup to receive the POST request, you will need to configure your receiving server to accept POST requests.

October 2023 - Stack Overflow

What the experts say
7Expert opinions

AboutMy.Email reports RFC 8058 failures for one-click unsubscribe due to various reasons related to header implementation, server response, and unsubscribe processing. These include AboutMy.Email's bug in expecting a 200 response instead of accepting a 202, the server not actually unsubscribing users after accepting the POST request, incorrect header implementation, non-functional unsubscribe endpoints, authentication requirements (403 error) which violate the standard, and the overall importance of reliable unsubscribe processing for maintaining sender reputation. ESP users generally need to trust that their provider is handling unsubscribes correctly.

Key opinions

200 vs 202 Response: AboutMy.Email may incorrectly flag 202 responses (request accepted but not processed) as errors.
Incomplete Processing: Servers might accept unsubscribe requests (202 response) but fail to actually unsubscribe the user.
Header Implementation: Incorrectly formatted List-Unsubscribe headers cause RFC 8058 failures.
Endpoint Functionality: Non-functional unsubscribe endpoints or servers that don't process POST requests correctly lead to errors.
Authentication Issues: Requiring authentication (resulting in a 403 Forbidden error) violates the one-click unsubscribe standard.
ESP Reliance: Users of Email Service Providers (ESPs) largely rely on the ESP to correctly implement unsubscribe handling.
Reputation Impact: Unreliable unsubscribe processing harms sender reputation and deliverability.

Key considerations

Response Code Handling: Ensure your system correctly handles both 200 and 202 responses, or investigate if AboutMy.Email has been updated to accept 202 responses correctly.
Unsubscribe Verification: Verify that users are actually unsubscribed when a 202 response is sent.
Header Validation: Carefully validate the List-Unsubscribe header implementation against RFC 8058.
Endpoint Testing: Thoroughly test the unsubscribe endpoint to ensure it's functional and correctly processes POST requests.
Authentication Review: Remove any authentication requirements from the unsubscribe endpoint.
ESP Due Diligence: If using an ESP, confirm they adhere to RFC 8058 for one-click unsubscribe.
Consistent Processing: Ensure reliable and consistent unsubscribe processing to maintain a positive sender reputation.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks identifies the AboutMy.Email issue as a bug, explaining that it expects a 200 response from the unsubscribe process but isn't configured to accept a 202 response.

February 2025 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that a 202 response to an unsubscribe request means the POST was accepted but no action has been taken, while Marketer from Email Geeks, Marcel Becker, advises to ensure users are actually unsubscribed, as neglecting to do so can negatively impact domain reputation.

October 2024 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests the 403 Forbidden error for a one-click unsubscribe likely means authentication is being required, which is not allowed for one-click unsubscribe.

July 2023 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise Staff states consistent and reliable unsubscribe processing is crucial for maintaining sender reputation. Failure to properly handle unsubscribe requests, including one-click unsubscribe, can result in recipients marking emails as spam, negatively affecting deliverability. An RFC 8058 failure suggests an issue with this processing.

January 2022 - Word to the Wise

Expert view

Expert from SpamResource responds that common reasons for List-Unsubscribe failures, leading to RFC 8058 errors, include incorrect implementation of the header, a non-functional unsubscribe endpoint, or the server not correctly processing POST requests to the unsubscribe URL. They also point out that authentication requests on the unsubscribe URL cause the RFC 8058 error.

February 2023 - SpamResource

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies RFC 8058 refers to the HTTPS link in the List-Unsubscribe header, used for pointing to the unsubscription center or for non-interactive unsubscribes via POST requests.

October 2022 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms that if using an ESP, you generally have to trust that they are handling the List-Unsubscribe header correctly and adhering to RFCs.

August 2024 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

AboutMy.Email reporting RFC 8058 failures for one-click unsubscribe is linked to several factors outlined in technical documentation. RFC 8058 specifies the List-Unsubscribe header format and the need for a POST request endpoint. Failures arise from incorrect header formatting, endpoint issues (lack of support for POST), or server-side problems. HTTP status codes like 403 (Forbidden) signify authentication issues, violating the standard, while 500 or 503 indicate server-side problems. Proper implementation requires correct header syntax, proper POST request handling, and a successful 200 OK response from the server.

Key findings

Header Formatting: Incorrect formatting of the List-Unsubscribe header causes RFC 8058 violations.
Endpoint Support: Lack of support for POST requests at the unsubscribe endpoint leads to failures.
403 Authentication Error: A 403 Forbidden error indicates the server requires authentication, which contradicts the RFC 8058 standard.
Server-Side Errors: 500 (Internal Server Error) or 503 (Service Unavailable) status codes point to server-side issues preventing request fulfillment.
200 OK: A successful 200 OK response to the POST request is required.

Key considerations

Validate Header: Thoroughly validate the List-Unsubscribe header format against RFC 8058 specifications.
POST Support: Ensure the unsubscribe endpoint fully supports and correctly processes POST requests.
Remove Authentication: Eliminate all authentication requirements for the unsubscribe endpoint to comply with the one-click standard.
Monitor Server: Monitor server performance to prevent 500 or 503 errors during unsubscribe processing.
Successful Response: Make sure your endpoint returns a successful 200 OK response to the request.

Technical article

Documentation from MDN Web Docs explains that HTTP status codes like 403 (Forbidden) can indicate that the server is refusing to fulfill the unsubscribe request due to missing authentication or permissions, violating the one-click unsubscribe standard.

March 2023 - MDN Web Docs

Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost details the correct syntax and implementation of the List-Unsubscribe header. It highlights ensuring that the server handling the unsubscribe POST request correctly processes the request and returns a success response (200 OK).

November 2022 - SparkPost

Technical article

Documentation from ietf.org (RFC 8058) details the standards for one-click unsubscribe, requiring a specific format for the List-Unsubscribe header and a corresponding POST request endpoint. Failure can be due to incorrect header formatting, endpoint issues, or lack of support for POST requests.

December 2021 - ietf.org

Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor explains that HTTP status codes like 500 (Internal Server Error) or 503 (Service Unavailable) can indicate that the server is having issues fulfilling the unsubscribe request .

April 2022 - RFC Editor

1-Click Unsubscribe: New GMAIL & YAHOO changes ...

Gmail and Yahoo are rolling out new requirements Feb 1st requiring that bulk senders have a 1-click unsubscribe. Is HubSpot rolling this out across all customers or is this something we need to enable manually in all our emails?

community.hubspot.com