Yahoo TSS04 errors, occurring even with opted-in lists, are primarily caused by unexpected email volume and negative user engagement, as indicated by complaints and lack of interaction. Resolving these issues requires a multi-faceted approach: maintaining excellent list hygiene by removing unengaged subscribers, implementing double opt-in processes to ensure genuine interest, actively monitoring and responding to feedback loops (FBLs) to address spam complaints, segmenting lists for personalized content to enhance engagement, throttling email volume to avoid sudden spikes, making unsubscribing easy, and understanding/acting on bounce codes to diagnose list quality problems. Maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial, and spam filters prioritize user behavior over mere opt-in status. Adhering to sending limits is also a key consideration.
11 marketer opinions
Yahoo TSS04 errors, triggered even with opted-in lists, stem from unexpected volume, user complaints, and low engagement. Resolving these involves implementing robust list hygiene practices (removing unengaged users, facilitating easy unsubscribes), employing double opt-in methods, monitoring and responding to feedback loops, segmenting lists for personalized content, and gradually throttling email volume to prevent sudden spikes. User behavior, as perceived by spam filters, outweighs the simple fact of opt-in. The overarching goal is to improve sender reputation and email deliverability by enhancing user experience and engagement.
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackOverflow User EmailGuru explains that throttling email volume and gradually increasing it can prevent temporary deferrals. Sudden spikes in volume can trigger TSS04 errors, so a gradual approach is recommended.
27 Jun 2023 - StackOverflow
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus shares that optimizing the email user experience, including clear and easy-to-find unsubscribe links, reduces the likelihood of users marking emails as spam. A straightforward unsubscribe process improves sender reputation.
19 Feb 2024 - Litmus
2 expert opinions
Yahoo TSS04 errors, even with opted-in lists, can be mitigated through proactive list management and the careful analysis of email bounce codes. Segmenting mailing lists and suppressing unengaged subscribers helps to maintain a healthy sending reputation, ensuring emails are only sent to actively interested recipients. Understanding and acting upon bounce codes, including those indicating temporary failures, is crucial for diagnosing underlying issues related to list quality and content problems, ultimately improving overall email deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource.com explains that understanding and acting upon bounce codes (including temporary failures that might precede or contribute to TSS04 issues) is essential for good email deliverability. They emphasize analyzing bounce messages to identify and address underlying issues like list quality or content problems.
16 Mar 2025 - Spamresource.com
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that segmenting your mailing lists and suppressing unengaged subscribers is crucial to maintain a healthy sending reputation and avoid issues like TSS04 errors. Regular list cleaning helps ensure that you're only sending to recipients who actively want your emails.
21 Sep 2021 - Word to the Wise
5 technical articles
Yahoo TSS04 errors, even with opted-in lists, are temporary deferrals caused by unexpected email volume or negative user engagement (complaints). Resolution involves improving sender reputation through proactive list management (removing inactive subscribers), adhering to sending limits, and adjusting email volume and content relevance. Monitoring spam rates and IP reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools helps identify and address underlying issues causing these deferrals, as outlined in SMTP error code documentation.
Technical article
Documentation from Yahoo Help Central explains that TSS04 errors indicate temporary deferral due to unexpected volume or user complaints, suggesting recipients might not be engaging positively with the emails despite being opted-in.
21 Dec 2022 - Yahoo Help Central
Technical article
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for deliverability. Monitoring spam rates and IP reputation helps identify and address issues that could lead to deferrals.
16 Jan 2022 - Google
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