Summary
Bounce spikes on French ISPs (Orange, SFR & La Poste) are multifaceted, stemming from aggressive spam filtering, sender reputation issues, content triggers, strict DMARC policies, or technical problems. These ISPs employ multi-layered filtering incorporating reputation, content analysis, and user feedback. Diagnosing requires examining SMTP replies/bounce codes, particularly accessing raw messages since ESP categorizations are estimations. Troubleshooting involves ensuring IPs are not blacklisted, optimizing authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), improving list hygiene, and adapting content for French audiences. IP reputation monitoring and adherence to local regulations are also vital. Tools such as GlockApps, Sendinblue and Litmus can aid in issue identification. It is also worth checking to see if Vade is causing problems.
Key findings
- Multifactorial Issues: French ISP bounce spikes are caused by a complex interplay of factors, not a single issue.
- Stringent Filtering: French ISPs have stricter-than-average filtering based on multiple factors including content, reputation and audience engagement.
- Data is Key: Raw bounce messages and SMTP replies offer the most accurate details of why messages were blocked.
Key considerations
- Prioritize Sender Reputation: Build and maintain a strong sender reputation, which heavily influences deliverability.
- Optimize Authentication: Ensure proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is correctly configured.
- Tailor Content: Adapt email content to the cultural nuances and legal requirements of the French market.
- Monitor & Troubleshoot: Proactively monitor deliverability metrics and investigate specific bounce codes for rapid issue resolution.
- Access Raw Bounce Data: Find the raw bounce messages, do not just rely on the categorisations.
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
Bounce spikes on French ISPs like Orange, SFR & La Poste can stem from various factors, including aggressive spam filtering, sender reputation issues, content triggers, strict DMARC policies, or temporary server problems. Troubleshooting involves checking SMTP replies and bounce codes for specific information, monitoring sender reputation, optimizing sender authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), improving list hygiene, and adapting content to align with French cultural sensitivities. Tools like Mailjet, GlockApps, Sendinblue, and Litmus can assist in identifying and addressing deliverability issues. Vade is also a possible cause.
Key opinions
- Multiple Factors: Bounce spikes can result from a combination of factors, including spam filtering, sender reputation, content, and technical issues.
- ISP-Specific Filtering: French ISPs have stringent filtering practices that require adaptation to local cultural nuances and ISP-specific policies.
- Importance of Reputation: Maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for ensuring email deliverability in France.
- Authentication Matters: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is essential for passing ISP spam filters.
- Vade: Vade could be a cause of issues with multiple French ISPs.
Key considerations
- Monitor SMTP Replies: Regularly check SMTP replies and bounce codes for specific reasons behind delivery failures.
- Use Deliverability Tools: Leverage deliverability tools to monitor IP reputation, identify blacklist issues, and simulate inbox placement.
- Adapt Content: Adjust email content and sending practices to comply with French anti-spam regulations and cultural sensitivities.
- Maintain List Hygiene: Keep email lists clean by removing inactive or invalid addresses to improve sender reputation.
- Investigate Vade: Check if Vade is causing issues with email deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Talos Intelligence explains that a good step to troubleshoot spikes is to check the IP and Domain reputation, and that a bad reputation will cause the French ISPs to block the email.
7 Jan 2023 - Talos Intelligence
Marketer view
Email marketer from MailerCheck shares that deliverability issues with French ISPs often stem from poor IP reputation, improper email authentication, or spammy content. They advise closely monitoring blacklist status and adjusting content to comply with French anti-spam regulations.
12 Jul 2021 - MailerCheck
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Bounce spikes on French ISPs like Orange, SFR & La Poste often stem from stringent filtering based on sender reputation, content, and engagement. ESP bounce categorization is often just a guess, so it's important to find raw bounce messages for details. Troubleshooting involves checking bounce codes and error messages, validating email lists, reviewing sending infrastructure and authentication, monitoring sender reputation, testing email content, implementing feedback loops, and analyzing engagement metrics. Building a positive reputation and adapting content to meet French expectations are key.
Key opinions
- Filtering Issues: French ISPs use stringent filtering based on sender reputation, content, and engagement.
- Raw Bounce Messages are Key: ESP bounce categorization is an estimate; raw bounce messages contain more accurate information.
- Proactive Troubleshooting: Multiple steps can be taken to troubleshoot bounce spikes including checking codes, validating lists, and reviewing authentication.
Key considerations
- Obtain Raw Bounce Messages: Request raw bounce messages from your ESP to understand the precise reasons for delivery failures.
- Focus on Reputation: Prioritize building and maintaining a positive sender reputation with French ISPs.
- Tailor Content: Adapt your email content to align with French cultural expectations and avoid spam triggers.
- Implement comprehensive troubleshooting: Consider all the advice given to help troubleshoot the deliverability issues.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource advises that to troubleshoot bounce spikes you should, Check bounce codes and error messages, Validate your email list to remove inactive or invalid addresses, Review your sending infrastructure and email authentication, Monitor your sender reputation, Test email content and subject lines, Implement feedback loops and unsubscribe mechanisms and Analyze engagement metrics.
10 Apr 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks recommends asking SFMC support for examples of raw bounce messages or SMTP bounce replies for the domains in question and reviewing the bounce message data, which typically contains human-readable text and a link to more information.
4 Jun 2025 - Email Geeks
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
French ISPs (Orange, SFR, La Poste) utilize multi-layered spam filtering incorporating reputation-based systems, content analysis, and user feedback. Bounce spikes are often linked to SMTP error codes. Resolving deliverability issues requires ensuring IP addresses aren't blacklisted, email content isn't flagged as spam, proper email authentication is in place, and understanding the specific reasons for bouncebacks provided in SMTP error messages.
Key findings
- Multi-Layered Filtering: French ISPs use a combination of reputation, content analysis, and user feedback to filter emails.
- SMTP Error Codes: Bounce spikes frequently correspond with specific SMTP error codes indicating the nature of the delivery problem.
- Importance of Reputation and Content: IP address reputation and email content are critical factors in determining email deliverability to French ISPs.
Key considerations
- Check Blacklists: Ensure your IP addresses are not listed on any relevant blacklists.
- Analyze Content: Carefully review email content to avoid spam triggers.
- Authenticate Emails: Properly authenticate your emails to improve deliverability.
- Review Error Codes: Thoroughly review the SMTP error codes of bounce messages to understand why emails are being rejected.
Technical article
Documentation from Orange shares that Orange employs multiple layers of spam filtering, including blacklists, content analysis, and user reports. Senders should review their sending practices and ensure compliance with Orange's guidelines to avoid being blocked.
3 Feb 2025 - Orange
Technical article
Documentation from RFC explains that bounce spikes are often related to SMTP error codes returned by the receiving mail server. Analyzing these codes can provide valuable insights into the reasons for delivery failures, such as temporary server outages or permanent blocking due to spam-like content.
21 Oct 2022 - RFC-Editor
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