How do ESPs collect Yahoo FBL data using double DKIM signing?

Summary

ESPs employ several strategies to collect Yahoo FBL data, primarily leveraging double DKIM signing, which involves both the ESP and client signing emails. Alternatively, independent customer registration is used. Double DKIM's efficacy is debated, with some favoring ESP domain signing and others noting that the client's signature has a greater impact on reputation. Implementing feedback loops (FBLs) is crucial for identifying and removing users who mark emails as spam, thereby enhancing deliverability and sender reputation. FBLs rely heavily on email authentication protocols such as DKIM and SPF. For ESPs using shared IPs, proper configuration of these protocols is essential. Setting up a dedicated mailbox for abuse reports and registering it with Yahoo is a common practice. Additionally, some ESPs use tools like PowerMTA, which require specific configurations for processing FBL reports. Overall, ESPs must consider architectural design, proactively manage domain reputation, and maintain compliance with authentication protocols to effectively collect and utilize Yahoo FBL data.

Key findings

  • Double DKIM Signing: ESPs commonly use double DKIM signing, with both their domain and the client's domain, to register and process FBL data.
  • FBL Implementation: Implementing feedback loops allows ESPs to receive spam complaints directly from ISPs, improving deliverability and sender reputation.
  • Authentication Reliance: Feedback loops rely on email authentication protocols like DKIM and SPF, which help maintain data integrity.
  • Spam Identification: Feedback loops enable identification and removal of users marking emails as spam, thus improving deliverability metrics.
  • Alternative Approach: Independent customer registration is an alternative approach to double DKIM signing for FBL data collection.

Key considerations

  • Architecture Design: ESPs should carefully design their architecture, considering client cohorts and IP grouping for optimal deliverability.
  • Domain Reputation: Actively managing domain reputation and addressing FBL reports promptly is crucial for sustaining deliverability.
  • Abuse Reporting Setup: Establishing a dedicated mailbox for abuse reports (e.g., abuse@yourdomain.com) and registering it with Yahoo is a prerequisite for receiving FBL data.
  • PowerMTA Configuration: ESPs using PowerMTA must configure specific accounts to effectively process and parse FBL reports from Yahoo and other ISPs.
  • Compliance with Protocols: ESPs must ensure strict compliance with email authentication protocols (DKIM, SPF, DMARC) to maintain data integrity and ensure messages are delivered.

What email marketers say
12Marketer opinions

ESPs leverage double DKIM signing and feedback loops (FBLs) to effectively gather and process spam complaints from Yahoo. This involves the ESP and the client both signing emails, enabling the ESP to register and manage FBL data. Implementing FBLs allows ESPs to identify users marking emails as spam, enabling them to improve deliverability by removing complainers, addressing deliverability issues, and maintaining a healthy sender reputation. Key to this process is authenticating email using DKIM and SPF, setting up abuse reporting mechanisms, and configuring multiple DKIM keys for various client domains.

Key opinions

  • Double DKIM Signing: ESPs often double-sign emails with both their domain and the client's domain to facilitate FBL registration and data processing.
  • FBL Implementation: Implementing a feedback loop enables ESPs to receive spam complaints directly from ISPs, allowing for prompt action.
  • Deliverability Improvement: FBLs help ESPs improve deliverability by identifying and removing users who mark emails as spam.
  • Authentication: Proper email authentication using DKIM and SPF is essential for participating in feedback loops.
  • Multiple DKIM Keys: ESPs can configure DKIM for multiple domains to sign emails on behalf of different clients.

Key considerations

  • Architecture Design: ESPs should consider client cohorts when designing their architecture, including IP grouping and domain usage for signing.
  • Abuse Reporting: Setting up a dedicated mailbox (e.g., abuse@yourdomain.com) and registering it with Yahoo is necessary for receiving FBL reports.
  • Sender Reputation: Maintaining a healthy sender reputation requires prompt action on FBL reports, such as unsubscribing users who mark emails as spam.
  • Shared IPs: ESPs using shared IPs must ensure correct configuration of DKIM, SPF, and DMARC to maintain deliverability for all clients.
  • Domain Key Importance: Using a domain key/DKIM is an authentication method that helps verify the sender and ensures that the message was not altered in transit.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailVendorSelection shares that ESP's are able to use shared IPs to send email for multiple clients as they use DKIM, SPF, and DMARC to correctly configure sending and ensure their clients email gets delivered.

November 2024 - EmailVendorSelection
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow explains that you can configure DKIM for multiple domains by setting up multiple DKIM keys and corresponding DNS records. This allows an ESP to sign emails on behalf of different clients.

October 2023 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity shares that Feedback loops are a key component of any email sending program, it allows you to see who is marking your email as spam and take action, if needed. Taking action may require that you unsubscribe the email address that is marking you as spam.

April 2021 - Validity
Marketer view

Email marketer from MailerQ shares that to receive FBL reports, you need to sign your emails with DKIM, publish a DMARC record, and set up a dedicated mailbox for abuse reports. The FBL system then forwards reports about spam complaints to this mailbox.

February 2024 - MailerQ
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailosaur shares that a domain key, also known as DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), is an authentication method that helps verify the sender and ensures that the message was not altered in transit.

July 2022 - Mailosaur
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that feedback loops are essential for maintaining a healthy email list and sender reputation by providing a direct channel for receiving and acting upon spam complaints from email recipients. Acting on these complaints allows for better deliverability.

February 2025 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost explains that implementing a feedback loop allows senders to receive complaints directly from ISPs, enabling them to promptly address deliverability issues and improve sender reputation.

July 2022 - SparkPost
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that Yahoo FBL can be obtained by setting up a specific mailbox (abuse@yourdomain.com) and registering it with Yahoo. This allows you to receive spam complaints directly.

March 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from MessageGears explains that to use a feedback loop correctly, your organization is required to authenticate your email with DKIM and SPF, and provide an abuse reporting mechanism that's readily available to recipients of your messages. Feedback loops cannot operate without authentication.

September 2021 - MessageGears
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that double signing with your ESP domain if you want a simple FBL sign up for all your emails. Order doesn’t matter.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that feedback loops help senders improve deliverability by identifying users marking emails as spam, allowing the senders to remove them from their sending list.

January 2024 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares it's common for ESPs to double-sign with both the client's and ESP's domain to register and process FBL data. They mention the architecture design where client cohorts should be taken into account when designing your architecture (how you group IP’s, which domains you use for signing, link wrapping etc.).

May 2023 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

ESPs collect Yahoo FBL data through double DKIM signing and, alternatively, independent customer registration. While double DKIM involves both the ESP and client signing emails, the client's signature is more impactful on reputation. A primary function of feedback loops, which rely on DKIM and SPF authentication, is to enable ESPs to identify and remove users marking emails as spam, thereby improving deliverability. Some experts prefer a standard YFBL registration step due to uncertainties about the priority of domain reputations in double DKIM setups.

Key opinions

  • Two Approaches: ESPs use double DKIM signing or independent customer registration to collect Yahoo FBL data.
  • Signature Impact: In double DKIM, the client's signature has a greater impact on reputation than the ESP's.
  • Authentication Reliance: Feedback loops rely on email authentication protocols like DKIM and SPF.
  • Spam Identification: FBLs help ESPs identify and remove users marking emails as spam, enhancing deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Domain Reputation: Consider the potential uncertainties in dual DKIM, such as which domain's reputation takes precedence.
  • Standard YFBL Setup: Making YFBL registration a standard step can streamline the process and avoid potential issues with double DKIM.
  • Proper Implementation: Feedback loops are a method of improving your email delivery by monitoring spam complaints. ISPs provide these loops to senders who authenticate their mail.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that they avoided dual DKIM due to concerns about which domain's reputation takes precedence and whether Yahoo might miss signatures. They preferred making YFBL registration a standard domain setup step.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that feedback loops rely on authentication such as DKIM and SPF. He also mentions that ESPs use FBLs to identify spammers and those who aren't following the proper protocols.

March 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains two approaches for Yahoo FBL collection: double DKIM signing and independent customer registration. They share that double DKIM signature the ESP signature is not as impactful on reputation as the more specific signature. The standard recommendation is to sign with the ESP domain first, then with the customer-specific domain.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that feedback loops are a method of improving your email delivery by monitoring spam complaints. ISPs provide these loops to senders who authenticate their mail. Senders then remove complainers from their list, which will result in a better reputation at the ISP.

November 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

ESPs collect Yahoo FBL data by utilizing feedback loops which help identify and remove users marking emails as spam, with DKIM signing and registration being part of the setup. The DKIM standard supports multiple signatures, allowing both the ESP and client to sign emails. PowerMTA configurations facilitate processing FBL reports through dedicated accounts for receiving and parsing data from Yahoo and other ISPs. Understanding the technical aspects of DKIM, including key generation, DNS records, and message signing, is essential for implementing double DKIM signing effectively.

Key findings

  • FBL Identification: Feedback Loops enable identification and removal of users marking emails as spam.
  • DKIM Standard: The DKIM standard supports multiple signatures, allowing both ESP and client signing.
  • PowerMTA Configuration: PowerMTA configurations process FBL reports using dedicated accounts.
  • Technical DKIM Aspects: Understanding DKIM's technical aspects is essential for implementing double DKIM signing.

Key considerations

  • Setup Process: Implementing FBL involves DKIM signing and registration.
  • Multiple Signatures: DKIM allows both ESP and client signatures.
  • FBL Report Processing: Setting up accounts in PowerMTA is needed to receive and parse FBL reports.
  • DKIM Implementation: Familiarity with key generation and DNS records is critical for DKIM implementation.
Technical article

Documentation from Yahoo Mail Help explains that the Feedback Loop (FBL) allows senders to identify and remove users who are marking their emails as spam. They outline the setup process, including DKIM signing and registration.

August 2022 - Yahoo Mail Help
Technical article

Documentation from RFC Editor details the DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) standard, explaining how multiple DKIM signatures can be applied to an email. This standard allows both the ESP and the client to sign the message.

May 2024 - RFC Editor
Technical article

Documentation from Port25 outlines configuration steps in PowerMTA for processing FBL reports, including setting up specific accounts to receive and parse the reports from Yahoo and other ISPs.

January 2024 - Port25
Technical article

Documentation from DKIM.org describes the technical aspects of DKIM, including generating keys, creating DNS records, and signing email messages. This provides a foundational understanding for implementing double DKIM signing.

May 2023 - DKIM.org