Spam complaints significantly impact email deliverability and sender reputation across various ISPs, with different email domains potentially carrying different weights. While the specific weighting algorithms are often kept secret, larger ISPs like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo! are generally understood to have a more significant influence due to their substantial user bases and the engagement levels of those users. High complaint rates can lead to emails being filtered to spam folders and negatively impact deliverability. The impact of spam complaints varies depending on the ISP, with some prioritizing complaints from users with a history of accurate spam reporting. It is also crucial to consider the diversity of complaints, as concentrated complaints from a single provider may indicate issues with email practices targeting that provider's users. Senders should actively monitor feedback loops to identify and address deliverability issues, maintaining compliance with ESP acceptable use policies (AUPs), and strive to keep complaint rates below acceptable thresholds (e.g., below 0.1%). The overall volume of complaints is also a key factor, with sustained high volumes harming deliverability regardless of the source.
9 marketer opinions
The general consensus is that spam complaints significantly impact email deliverability. While the specific weighting algorithms are typically not public, larger ISPs like Gmail and Yahoo are thought to have more influence due to their user base and the engagement levels of their users. The impact of spam complaints can vary between ISPs, and some prioritize complaints from users with a history of accurate spam reporting. Maintaining low complaint rates and monitoring complaints from major domains is crucial for avoiding blacklisting and ensuring optimal email deliverability. Additionally, the volume of complaints matters, as sustained high volumes, regardless of the source, negatively impact deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Senderscore.org details that the volume of complaints matters a lot, and that having a sustained high volume of complaints will harm deliverability over time, regardless of the original source.
9 Sep 2022 - Senderscore.org
Marketer view
Email marketer from Quora explains that spam complaints are a direct signal to ISPs that recipients don't want to receive your emails. High complaint rates can lead to blacklisting and reduced deliverability.
22 Jan 2022 - Quora
3 expert opinions
Spam complaints significantly influence email deliverability, with the weight given to each complaint varying based on the email provider and user engagement. Complaints should be viewed as a percentage of delivered emails per provider. Major providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo! consider complaints in their reputation calculations, likely giving more weight to active, engaged users. High concentrations of complaints from a single provider can signal issues with targeted email practices. Monitoring feedback loops is crucial to manage AUP compliance, with rates over 0.3% indicating problems, and acceptable rates falling below 0.1%.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that large mailbox providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo! consider complaints as a factor in reputation. The weight given to a specific complaint is complex and depends on many factors, but it's reasonable to assume that complaints from active and engaged users of these providers carry more weight.
24 Jun 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that the diversity of complaints from different domains can impact your reputation. If complaints are heavily concentrated from a specific provider, it may indicate a problem with your email practices targeting that provider's users.
20 Oct 2023 - Word to the Wise
4 technical articles
Spam complaints significantly impact email deliverability across major email providers like Google and Microsoft. These providers utilize sender reputation systems that consider spam complaints as a key factor for filtering emails. High complaint rates lead to emails being directed to spam folders and negatively affect overall deliverability. Feedback loops (FBLs), as technically specified by RFC standards, are essential for senders to monitor spam complaints and identify deliverability issues. Different ISPs provide these FBLs to help senders address and improve their email practices.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost explains that feedback loops (FBLs) are essential for monitoring spam complaints. Different ISPs provide FBLs, and the data received helps senders identify and address deliverability issues.
20 Oct 2022 - SparkPost
Technical article
Documentation from RFC details the technical specifications for feedback loops (FBLs) and automated spam reporting systems. These systems allow ISPs to provide senders with information about spam complaints.
17 Nov 2022 - RFC
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