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How to implement the Gmail feedback loop ID and what are Gmail feedback loop reports?

Summary

The Gmail Feedback Loop ID (FBL-ID) is a mechanism primarily designed for large-volume email senders, especially Email Service Providers (ESPs), to identify specific campaigns that generate a high volume of spam complaints from Gmail users. While the traditional feedback loop often involved direct reports, Gmail's approach has largely evolved to integrate this data into Google Postmaster Tools. Understanding how to implement the FBL-ID and interpret its reports is crucial for maintaining a healthy sender reputation and optimizing email deliverability.

What email marketers say

Email marketers often seek direct ways to implement and receive feedback loop data to improve their campaigns. There's a common desire for granular data to understand why emails are marked as spam and to respond to abuse complaints. Marketers' experiences highlight the varied nature of FBL reporting and the primary importance of general sender reputation metrics.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks asked for guidance on how and where to implement the Gmail feedback loop code in the source code.

29 Jul 2019 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks confirmed that adding the code to the header is the correct approach and planned to monitor the results.

29 Jul 2019 - Email Geeks

What the experts say

Deliverability experts clarify the often-misunderstood nature of Gmail's Feedback Loop. They emphasize that while a traditional FBL concept existed, it has largely been superseded by data provided in Google Postmaster Tools. The FBL-ID is primarily a tool for ESPs to segment and attribute spam complaints to specific clients or campaigns, rather than a system for sending out direct, detailed complaint reports to all senders.

Expert view

Deliverability expert from Email Geeks explains that the Gmail Feedback Loop is primarily useful for ESPs to identify their different clients using a 'client ID' or 'gmail FBL ID' header.

29 Jul 2019 - Email Geeks

Expert view

Deliverability expert from Email Geeks clarified that Gmail typically doesn't send direct FBL reports to most senders anymore, stating that Postmaster Tools is where percentages are reported.

29 Jul 2019 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

Official documentation outlines the precise method for implementing the Gmail Feedback-ID and details the types of reports available to senders. It stresses that the FBL is primarily for large-volume senders, enabling them to gain insights into specific campaign performance regarding spam complaints. This information is predominantly accessed through Google Postmaster Tools, rather than via direct email reports for most users.

Technical article

Google's documentation confirms that the Feedback Loop (FBL) allows large volume senders to identify campaigns with a high volume of complaints from Gmail users. This tool is particularly useful for pinpointing problematic email streams.

29 Jul 2019 - Google Help

Technical article

AWS documentation explains that Google Postmaster Tools guides you through implementing and using Feedback Loops to identify email campaigns receiving high complaint volumes, which is crucial for Amazon SES email senders.

15 Jul 2024 - Amazon Web Services

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