Summary
The envelope.from domain, a critical component in email deliverability, goes by many names including bounce domain, return-path, envelope sender, bounce-to domain, MAIL FROM domain, and reverse-path. It serves as the address for handling bounce messages and non-delivery reports (NDRs) between mail servers, distinct from the recipient-facing 'From:' header. Proper configuration, including alignment with DKIM and SPF authentication and avoiding generic subdomains, is essential for maintaining a positive sender reputation. It is important to clarify terminology with marketers as definitions can vary, but consistent and correct use is key to ensuring deliverability.
Key findings
- Term Variety: Many terms exist for the envelope.from domain, each used in specific contexts.
- Bounce Handling Focus: The primary function is to manage bounces and NDRs.
- Authentication is Key: Alignment with DKIM and SPF is crucial for deliverability.
- Different Perspectives: Experts, marketers, and documentation use terms differently, reflecting varying concerns and audiences.
- Hidden Header: Return-Path is a hidden email header that indicates where and how bounced emails will be processed, separate from the original sending address.
Key considerations
- Audience Awareness: Adapt terminology to your audience, whether technical or marketing-focused.
- DNS Configuration: Configure DNS correctly for handling bounce events.
- Domain Specificity: Use specific subdomains for Return-Path to improve reputation.
- Avoid Confusion: Clearly differentiate between the envelope.from and the 'From:' header.
- Historical Context: Be aware that older documentation may use 'reverse-path'.
What email marketers say
14 marketer opinions
The envelope.from domain, also known as the Return-Path, bounce address, or envelope sender, is a crucial element in email deliverability. It's primarily used for machine-to-machine communication, specifically to handle bounce messages and non-delivery reports (NDRs). Unlike the 'From' header, which is visible to the recipient, the envelope.from is often hidden and used by mail servers. Common terms vary, with some preferring 'bounce domain', 'envelope from', 'return-path', or even 'SPF from' in security contexts. Consistent and correct configuration of the envelope.from domain is vital for maintaining a clean sending reputation and successful email authentication.
Key opinions
- Multiple Names: The envelope.from domain has many names including Return-Path, bounce address, envelope sender, bounce-to domain, and MAIL FROM domain.
- Bounce Handling: Its primary function is to handle bounce messages and non-delivery reports (NDRs), facilitating communication between mail servers.
- Hidden from Recipient: Unlike the 'From' header, the envelope.from is typically hidden from the email recipient and used for machine-to-machine communication.
- Deliverability Impact: Correct configuration is vital for maintaining a positive sender reputation and improving email deliverability.
Key considerations
- Term Consistency: When communicating with marketers, it is best to ask what term they use, and adopt it, whilst defining the term you will be using.
- Authentication Alignment: The domain used in the envelope.from (Return-Path) should align with the domain used for DKIM and SPF authentication.
- DNS Configuration: Proper DNS configuration is required to set up the Return-Path, often involving delegating a subdomain for bounce handling.
- Confusion Potential: Terms such as Return-Path may be confused with the 'From' header or even the company name.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Customer.io answers shares that Return-Path is used for handling bounces. To set it up you need to configure your DNS to send all Return-Path or bounce events from emails sent to a subdomain that belongs to you.
2 Feb 2023 - Customer.io
Marketer view
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign explains that the Bounce address and return path domain is where undelivered messages are sent. It is sometimes referred to as the envelope sender.
13 Oct 2024 - ActiveCampaign.com
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Experts in email deliverability refer to the envelope.from domain by several names, including 'bounce domain,' 'return-path,' and, historically, 'reverse-path.' This domain is crucial for handling bounce messages. It's often confused with the 'From:' header, which recipients see, while the Return-Path specifies where bounces are sent. Proper configuration is vital, aligning the envelope.from domain with DKIM and SPF authentication and avoiding generic subdomains.
Key opinions
- Common Names: Common names include bounce domain and return-path.
- Bounce Handling: Primarily used for handling bounce messages.
- Authentication Alignment: The envelope.from domain must align with DKIM and SPF authentication domains.
- Confusion with From:: Often confused with the 'From:' header that recipients see.
Key considerations
- Domain Specificity: Avoid using generic subdomains; use more specific ones like email.example.com or em1.example.com.
- ESP variations: Different ESPs may use varying terminology.
- Return-Path vs From: Make sure you understand the difference between Return-Path and From headers.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that the Return-Path is often confused with the From: header. The From: header is what people see in their mail program. The Return-Path specifies where bounces go. Most spammers leave Return-Path blank, or put in an address they don't check.
25 Nov 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that in olden days, it was called the reverse-path, but now is the Return-Path header in the message, set by the receiving server to say where bounces go. For most marketers, the important thing is that it needs to align with the domain you’re using to authenticate with DKIM and SPF. It’s a bad idea to use a generic domain like mktg.example.com, and a better idea to use something like email.example.com or something even more specific, like em1.example.com.
14 Jul 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Technical documentation consistently identifies the envelope.from domain by various names including reverse-path, Return-Path, Envelope From address, and bounce address. Its primary function, as defined in RFC 2821 and reiterated by Valimail, EasyDMARC, and Mimecast, is to specify the address to which notifications of transmission failures (bounces) and non-delivery reports (NDRs) should be sent between mail servers.
Key findings
- Multiple Terms: Common terms include reverse-path, Return-Path, Envelope From address, and bounce address.
- Bounce Handling: The primary function is to handle bounce messages and non-delivery reports (NDRs).
- Machine Communication: It is primarily used for machine-to-machine communication between mail servers.
Key considerations
- Standards Compliance: Understanding the RFC 2821 definition of reverse-path is essential for technical compliance.
- Interoperability: Use the correct term to ensure smooth communication between different mail systems.
- Monitoring: Properly monitoring the address for bounce messages is essential for maintaining deliverability.
Technical article
Documentation from Mimecast explains that the Reverse Path, also known as the Return-Path, is the address to which bounce messages are sent.
16 Jul 2023 - Mimecast.com
Technical article
Documentation from RFC 2821 explains that the MAIL FROM command specifies the reverse-path, which identifies an address to which notification of transmission failures should be sent.
6 Sep 2021 - RFC 2821
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