Various methods and tools exist for working with ARF (Abuse Reporting Format) reports and improving email deliverability. These range from manual techniques, such as creating and modifying ARF reports, to automated solutions offered by platforms and services. Key strategies involve setting up and monitoring feedback loops (FBLs), using specialized tools for ARF report analysis, leveraging email analytics and deliverability insights, and proactively monitoring sending reputation. Platforms like Validity's Everest, GlockApps, SparkPost, and Sendgrid offer FBL monitoring and reporting features. Additionally, some ESPs may provide built-in FBL monitoring, while tools like Litmus offer broader deliverability analytics. External resources like GitHub may host tools for generating ARF reports. Furthermore, understanding the ARF specification (RFC 3965) is crucial for properly interpreting ARF reports. Proactive reputation monitoring tools, integrated with FBLs, aid in analyzing data and managing sending reputation effectively. Finally, in some cases, existing codebases and network monitoring tools might be adapted to assist in the ARF analysis process.
11 marketer opinions
Several tools and methods can be used to work with ARF (Abuse Reporting Format) reports and test email deliverability. Some email marketers manually create and modify ARF reports for testing, while others leverage services that provide feedback loop (FBL) monitoring. Services like GlockApps offer platforms with FBL monitors that allow users to analyze ARF reports from ISPs to identify deliverability issues. Return Path (now Validity) and Validity's Everest platform offer tools for FBL management and ARF report analysis. While some ESPs (Email Service Providers) may have built-in FBL monitoring features, the capabilities can vary. Additionally, tools like Litmus provide email analytics and deliverability insights, aiding in diagnosing issues reflected in ARF reports. Even network monitoring tools can potentially be configured to analyze SMTP traffic and identify ARF reports.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks offers to create a tool from existing code and asks about the ideal workflow.
8 Nov 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests signing up for multiple FBL addresses through Return Path / Validity uFBL to have complaint reports go to multiple email addresses.
15 Mar 2023 - Email Geeks
3 expert opinions
Experts suggest a variety of approaches to working with ARF (Abuse Reporting Format) reports. One approach involves searching GitHub for tools that can generate ARF reports for self-testing. Another essential strategy is to set up and monitor feedback loops (FBLs) to receive ARF reports, which are valuable for identifying and addressing deliverability issues related to complaints. Additionally, proactive reputation monitoring tools that integrate with FBLs can assist in analyzing ARF data, managing sending reputation, and identifying sources of complaints before they escalate into major deliverability problems.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks suggests looking on GitHub for something that generates ARF reports to send yourself tests.
5 Sep 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise emphasizes that proactive reputation monitoring tools can assist in analyzing data from ARF reports by integrating with FBLs. She also advocates for using these tools to manage sending reputation and identifies sources of complaints before major deliverability problems arise.
8 Feb 2025 - Word to the Wise
4 technical articles
Several documentation sources highlight tools and platforms for managing feedback loops (FBLs) and analyzing Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) reports. Validity's Everest platform and SparkPost provide FBL monitoring and ARF report analysis, enabling users to analyze complaint data, monitor complaint rates, and address deliverability issues. Sendgrid also offers feedback loop integration and reporting to track complaints and identify potential deliverability issues. Additionally, RFC 3965 from RFC-Editor.org details the official specification for ARF, which is crucial for understanding ARF reports.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC-Editor.org (RFC 3965) details the official specification for the Abuse Reporting Format (ARF). While not a tool, it defines the structure and content of ARF reports, crucial for understanding the data provided by tools that offer ARF report testing.
5 Jun 2022 - RFC-Editor.org
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost.com highlights that their platform provides tools to manage feedback loops and analyze ARF reports, enabling senders to monitor complaint rates and address deliverability problems. SparkPost's reporting features offer insights into email performance and subscriber engagement.
14 Dec 2024 - SparkPost.com
Are abuse reports and feedback loops (FBLs) still useful in email marketing, and how do they work with different email clients?
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How did Yahoo update their FBL ARF format and how did it impact ESPs?
How do spam complaints from Google and Yahoo inform ESPs, and how should ARF reports be used?
How does Validity modify ARF reports, and what impact does it have on identifying recipients for list removal?