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Summary

The ability to request historical Feedback Loop (FBL) data from major mailbox providers like Oath (which includes Yahoo and AOL) is a frequent question among email senders. This data is crucial for maintaining a clean suppression list and improving sender reputation. However, policies regarding historical FBL data tend to be restrictive, prioritizing forward-looking abuse reporting over retroactive access. Understanding these limitations is key for effective email deliverability management, especially when troubleshooting past issues or onboarding new sending infrastructure.

What email marketers say

Email marketers often face challenges with historical data, particularly when new sending configurations or ESP transitions occur. The consensus among marketers is that securing historical FBL data from major providers like Oath is generally not possible. This limitation highlights the critical need for immediate and ongoing FBL setup to capture complaint data as it happens.

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks inquires about the possibility of requesting and receiving abuse ARF data postmortem, especially if their ESP failed to set up the FBL for several months after provisioning. This historical data is crucial for updating their suppression database and improving email hygiene.

14 Aug 2019 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks seeks clarification on whether Yahoo's FAQ indicates the possibility of requesting CFL data, expressing their intent to directly ask Yahoo if their ESP remains unresponsive. They prioritize getting the CFL/FBL operational before pursuing any missing historical data.

15 Aug 2019 - Email Geeks

What the experts say

Email deliverability experts consistently advise that historical FBL data from major ISPs like Oath (Yahoo/AOL) is not typically provided. Their systems are configured for ongoing, not retrospective, reporting of abuse complaints. This policy emphasizes the importance of a proactive approach to FBL enrollment and continuous monitoring of sending practices.

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks confirms unequivocally that senders will only receive FBL data going forward from the point of successful enrollment. This establishes a clear boundary for data access and underscores the importance of proactive setup.

14 Aug 2019 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks clarifies that while providers might confirm domain enrollment in FBL programs, they will not provide historical FBL data. This addresses a common misconception that verifying program enrollment equates to accessing past reports.

15 Aug 2019 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

Official documentation and postmaster communications from Oath, Yahoo, and AOL consistently indicate that Feedback Loop (FBL) data is provided on an ongoing basis from the point of enrollment. There is no public or documented mechanism for requesting or retrieving historical FBL data for periods prior to a sender's active participation in the program. This policy is standard across most major mailbox providers, designed to provide real-time abuse signals for proactive deliverability management.

Technical article

Documentation from the Yahoo Postmaster Blog advises senders who rely on AOL FBL data to sign up for Yahoo's FBL/CFL. This indicates a shift in how FBL data is managed following the integration of AOL and Yahoo services under Oath.

07 Mar 2018 - Yahoo Postmaster Blog

Technical article

Documentation from Delivery Counts, referencing Oath's updates, states that mail to AOL addresses must be DKIM-signed to participate in the FBL program, as Yahoo's FBL is domain-based. This highlights a critical technical requirement for FBL data access.

28 Jun 2018 - Delivery Counts

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