Troubleshooting soft bounces with a 554 SMTP code in Salesforce Marketing Cloud involves addressing a multifaceted issue encompassing blocks, policy rejections, poor sender reputation, and technical configurations. Experts and documentation recommend a thorough investigation process. This includes examining the full text of bounce messages within SFMC, checking SMTP logs for specific rejection reasons, and verifying sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). Additionally, focusing on improving sender reputation by practicing list hygiene (segmentation and warming), monitoring sender scores, implementing user feedback loops, and optimizing email content (A/B testing subject lines, reducing spam triggers) is crucial. Adjusting email sending practices through throttling can also mitigate the problem. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of how SFMC classifies soft bounces and leveraging the platform's data availability is paramount for effective resolution.
6 marketer opinions
Troubleshooting soft bounces with a 554 SMTP code in Salesforce Marketing Cloud involves addressing issues related to sender reputation, email content, and list management. Experts recommend monitoring sender score, warming up IPs gradually by segmenting lists and sending to engaged subscribers first, and reviewing email content for spam triggers, including A/B testing subject lines. Furthermore, establishing a user feedback loop with easy unsubscribe options and throttling email sending rates can help mitigate blacklisting and improve deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange suggests that a 554 error is caused by spam content in the email body, which has resulted in the recipient server rejecting the email. They recommend testing with different email content.
20 Dec 2024 - StackExchange
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus Community explains the importance of a user feedback loop, and ensuring the users can easily unsubscribe. They explain how easy it is to report as spam, which can have a drastic impact on blacklisting.
31 Jan 2025 - Litmus Community
4 expert opinions
Troubleshooting soft bounces with a 554 SMTP code in Salesforce Marketing Cloud involves diagnosing blocks, policy rejections, and poor sender reputation. Experts advise examining the full text of bounce messages to identify blocking sources and reasons within SFMC, checking SMTP logs for specific rejection details, ensuring proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), improving list hygiene, implementing feedback loops, and monitoring reputation metrics (engagement, complaints, blocklists).
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that a 554 response frequently involves a rejection due to poor sender reputation, often influenced by low engagement, high complaint rates, or listing on blocklists. He recommends improving list hygiene, implementing feedback loops, and monitoring reputation metrics.
12 Dec 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that a 554 SMTP bounce code classified as a soft bounce likely indicates a block. She advises checking the full text of the bounce message to identify the source of the block (e.g., Proofpoint, Barracuda) and the reason for rejection, further adding that this data should be available within Salesforce Marketing Cloud or through their support.
2 Dec 2024 - Email Geeks
4 technical articles
Troubleshooting soft bounces with a 554 SMTP code in Salesforce Marketing Cloud requires a comprehensive investigation. Documentation indicates that 554 errors, while typically permanent failures, can be classified as soft bounces by SFMC, stemming from policy rejections, spam filtering, content issues, reputation problems, authentication failures, or blacklisting. Key recommendations involve examining email content against spam filters, verifying sender authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), checking engagement metrics, and reviewing error logs for further details from the receiving server.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost details that a 554 error suggests that the receiving server has rejected the message due to policy reasons, spam filtering, or content issues. It recommends checking your email content, authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and engagement metrics.
5 Aug 2023 - SparkPost
Technical article
Documentation from Mailjet outlines that a 554 code can stem from various reasons, including spam content, authentication failures, or blacklisting. It suggests reviewing your email content against spam filters and verifying your sender authentication records.
19 Mar 2022 - Mailjet
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