Summary
The responses indicate a mix of experiences regarding Yahoo FBL emails. While some initial reports from Email Geeks suggested possible issues, later confirming an internal issue acknowledged by Yahoo, a broader perspective emerges. Experts emphasize the importance of adhering to deliverability best practices, including authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), maintaining low spam rates (below 0.3% as per Yahoo/AOL requirements), and ensuring easy unsubscription processes. Upcoming stricter requirements from Yahoo and Gmail in 2024 necessitate these practices. Problems with Yahoo FBL can be intermittent or related to Yahoo's internal systems. Deliverability issues from poor sending practices or authentication problems indirectly affect FBL data reliability. Documentation from Yahoo Help, RFC Editor, DMARC.org, and SparkPost reinforce the importance of following email deliverability best practices and understanding the underlying protocols. Experts recommend monitoring overall email health, cross-referencing FBL data with other metrics, and verifying FBL setup with Yahoo if issues persist. DMARC reports provide supplementary insights into authentication and spam complaints. It's essential to ensure compliance with evolving email requirements, maintain sender reputation, and proactively troubleshoot deliverability problems.
Key findings
- Yahoo FBL Issues Existed: There were internal issues with Yahoo FBL, acknowledged by Yahoo.
- Authentication is Crucial: Adhering to authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for FBL reporting and deliverability.
- Upcoming Requirements: Stricter requirements from Yahoo and Gmail in 2024 emphasize authentication, low spam rates, and easy unsubscription.
- Deliverability Impacts FBL: Poor deliverability impacts FBL data and reliability.
- Holistic Monitoring Needed: Monitor overall email health, cross-referencing FBL with other metrics (e.g., DMARC reports).
- Validate Setup: If FBL issues persist, validation of FBL setup with Yahoo should be validated.
Key considerations
- Compliance: Comply with Yahoo/AOL and Gmail requirements for authentication, spam, and unsubscribe practices.
- Monitoring: Continuously monitor deliverability metrics (authentication, bounce rates, spam complaints) alongside FBL data.
- Troubleshooting: Cross-reference FBL data with other metrics; contact Yahoo support for persistent issues.
- Authentication Implementation: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication protocols correctly.
- List Hygiene: Maintain a clean email list and monitor its health continuously to avoid deliverability problems.
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
There have been recent reports and acknowledgements of issues with Yahoo FBL (Feedback Loop) emails. Some email marketers have directly observed problems, with Yahoo even acknowledging internal issues. These problems might be intermittent and related to Yahoo's internal systems. Furthermore, Yahoo and AOL are tightening email requirements, emphasizing authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), low spam rates (below 0.3%), and easy unsubscription. Failure to meet these standards can impact FBL data and overall deliverability. Deliverability issues from poor sending practices or authentication problems can also indirectly affect FBL data reliability. It is advisable to cross-reference FBL data with other deliverability metrics and contact Yahoo support if problems persist. In general, maintaining overall email health, including authentication status, bounce rates, and spam complaints, is crucial for monitoring deliverability.
Key opinions
- Yahoo FBL Issues: There are reported and acknowledged issues with Yahoo FBL emails.
- Authentication Importance: Yahoo and AOL are tightening email requirements, emphasizing authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- Deliverability Impact: Deliverability issues stemming from poor sending practices or authentication problems can indirectly affect FBL data reliability.
- 2024 Requirements: New requirements from Yahoo and Gmail may require authentication and other best practices.
Key considerations
- Compliance: Ensure compliance with Yahoo and AOL's new email requirements regarding authentication, spam rates, and unsubscription processes.
- Monitoring: Monitor overall email health metrics, including authentication status, bounce rates, and spam complaints, alongside FBL data.
- Troubleshooting: Cross-reference FBL data with other deliverability metrics and contact Yahoo support if inconsistencies or delays persist.
- Stay Updated: Keep abreast of updates to FBL processes with Yahoo and other email providers.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Stack Overflow shares that problems with Yahoo FBL can sometimes be intermittent and related to Yahoo's internal systems. The advice is to ensure that all sending practices are compliant and to monitor trends over time to differentiate between temporary glitches and systemic issues.
16 Jan 2024 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that deliverability problems could mask or exacerbate any underlying issues with Yahoo FBL reports. The guide emphasizes the importance of monitoring overall email health, which includes authentication status, bounce rates, and spam complaints, to provide a broader picture of deliverability issues.
28 Aug 2024 - Email On Acid
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Experts from Spam Resource and Word to the Wise emphasize adherence to email deliverability best practices, including authentication, list hygiene, and reputation monitoring. When FBLs are not received or accuracy is questionable, they recommend checking FBL setup with Yahoo and ensuring registration validity.
Key opinions
- Best Practices Essential: Authentication, list hygiene, and reputation monitoring are critical for email deliverability and FBL functionality.
- FBL Troubleshooting: When FBLs aren't received or are inaccurate, verify FBL setup with Yahoo.
Key considerations
- Regular Audits: Periodically audit your email sending practices and FBL setup with Yahoo to ensure compliance and proper functionality.
- Proactive Monitoring: Implement proactive monitoring of your sender reputation and list hygiene to identify and address potential issues early.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise indicates senders should adhere to best practices for deliverability, including setting up authentication, list hygiene and monitoring reputation. If FBLs are not being received or there are concerns about the accuracy of FBL data, the recommendation is to verify FBL setup with Yahoo.
30 Mar 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource (Laura Atkins) discusses the importance of Feedback Loops (FBLs) in general. Though not directly about Yahoo FBL issues, the article describes what to do when you are not receiving FBL's which includes authentication, list hygiene and checking your registration is still valid.
21 Jun 2022 - Spam Resource
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Documentation from Yahoo, RFC Editor, DMARC.org, and SparkPost highlights the importance of following email deliverability best practices. This includes proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), monitoring sender reputation, maintaining list hygiene, and understanding underlying email protocols (SMTP). Failure to adhere to these practices can lead to deliverability issues and impact the functionality of Feedback Loops (FBLs). DMARC reports can provide complementary insights into authentication problems and spam complaints. Poor authentication or high complaint rates can affect FBL mechanisms and potentially result in throttling or blocking by Yahoo.
Key findings
- Adherence to Best Practices: Following email deliverability best practices is crucial for FBL functionality.
- Importance of Authentication: Proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is vital for ensuring email deliverability and FBL reporting.
- Impact of Sender Reputation: Poor sender reputation, resulting from high complaint rates or poor authentication, can impact FBL mechanisms and lead to throttling or blocking.
- Complementary Insights: DMARC reports offer valuable insights into authentication issues and spam complaints, complementing FBL data.
Key considerations
- Implement Robust Authentication: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate your emails and improve sender reputation.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Regularly monitor your sender reputation metrics, including complaint rates, bounce rates, and spam trap hits.
- Analyze DMARC Reports: Analyze DMARC reports to identify and address authentication issues and potential spam complaints.
- Maintain List Hygiene: Regularly clean your email lists to remove inactive or problematic addresses.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost outlines best practices for ensuring deliverability, noting that poor authentication or high complaint rates can impact feedback loop mechanisms. SparkPost advises closely monitoring all sender reputation metrics, as Yahoo may throttle or block senders with poor reputations, affecting FBL data.
12 Mar 2025 - SparkPost
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org discusses DMARC setup and reporting, including Aggregate Reports (RUA) and Forensic Reports (RUF). Although not specific to Yahoo, DMARC reports provide valuable insights into potential authentication issues and spam complaints, acting as a broader feedback loop that can complement or highlight FBL issues if Yahoo's FBL is not functioning as expected.
7 Sep 2021 - DMARC.org
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