The consensus among marketers, experts, and documentation is that when a Hotmail user unsubscribes using the 'Too much email' option, it is generally treated as a standard unsubscribe request, leveraging list-unsubscribe headers. This action aims to reduce spam complaints, which can negatively impact sender reputation. It's crucial to honor unsubscribe requests promptly and provide an easy and clear unsubscribe process. Failure to do so can lead users to mark emails as spam, severely impacting deliverability. Mailbox providers utilize feedback loops and user feedback (including both unsubscribes and spam complaints) to train their filters and assess sender reputation.
13 marketer opinions
When a Hotmail user utilizes the 'Too much email' option to unsubscribe, it's generally treated as a standard unsubscribe request leveraging list-unsubscribe headers. This action aims to reduce spam complaints, which directly impact sender reputation. However, failing to honor unsubscribe requests and making the process difficult can lead users to mark emails as spam, negatively affecting sender reputation and deliverability. Providing an easy-to-find unsubscribe option is crucial for reducing spam complaints and maintaining a positive sender reputation.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that mailbox providers offer an easy unsubscribe option so people don’t have to mark email as spam, which can negatively impact sender reputation. However, failing to honor an unsubscribe request may still impact reputation.
27 Jun 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks shares from experience, that an easy-to-find unsubscribe option reduces spam complaints because people who are having difficulty unsubscribing will go straight to mark as spam. At a previous ESP, they found that an unsubscribe option at the top reduced complaints by as much as 70%.
27 Dec 2022 - Email Geeks
2 expert opinions
Experts suggest that Hotmail's 'Too much email' unsubscribe option functions as a standard list-unsubscribe, indicating that it's treated as a formal request to be removed from the mailing list rather than a spam complaint. User feedback, encompassing both spam markings and unsubscribes, plays a pivotal role in training mailbox provider filters, emphasizing the importance of respecting user preferences.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks confirms that Hotmail's unsubscribe option should function as a standard list-unsubscribe.
16 Apr 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that user feedback, including marking emails as spam, is used by mailbox providers to train their filters. While not directly addressing the 'Too much email' option, it highlights the importance of respecting user preferences to avoid negative feedback, which includes using unsubscribes as they are intended.
10 Mar 2025 - Word to the Wise
4 technical articles
Documentation from various sources, including Microsoft, RFC Editor, Google, and SparkPost, highlights the importance of feedback loops, the technical standards for one-click unsubscribes, and the necessity of easy unsubscribe options to reduce spam complaints and maintain a positive sender reputation. While not directly confirming that the 'Too much email' option is a standard unsubscribe, the documentation implies that it is best practice to treat unsubscriptions as such to avoid negative consequences associated with spam complaints.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor defines the List-Unsubscribe-Post header, which enables one-click unsubscribe functionality. While not specific to Hotmail, the document describes the technical standard that Hotmail (and other providers) may use for processing unsubscription requests, ensuring they are handled as unsubscriptions rather than spam complaints.
17 Sep 2024 - RFC Editor
Technical article
Documentation from Google shares to help keep your email out of the spam folder and delivered to Gmail users' inboxes, make sure that you send email only to people who want to receive it, and that they can easily unsubscribe from your email. A prompt and easy unsubscribe system helps reduce the likelihood of users marking emails as spam.
27 Jul 2022 - Google
Are abuse reports and feedback loops (FBLs) still useful in email marketing, and how do they work with different email clients?
Can spam filters trigger email unsubscribes and how to prevent it?
Do email unsubscribes negatively affect sender reputation?
Do ISPs differentiate between single and bulk spam reports when evaluating email sender reputation?
Do unsubscribe links and rates affect email deliverability and spam filtering?
How are Gmail and Yahoo enforcing unsubscribe requests, and what factors do they consider for compliance?