Why am I not receiving FBL reports from Telenor and Validity?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 23 Jun 2025
Updated 17 Aug 2025
9 min read
I've been looking into why I'm not receiving Feedback Loop (FBL) reports from Telenor, especially since I'm already paying Validity for their FBL services. It’s a common frustration for email senders when these vital reports suddenly stop. FBLs are essentially direct lines of communication from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that alert us when their users mark our emails as spam. Without them, it's incredibly difficult to pinpoint specific campaigns or sending practices that are causing recipient complaints and negatively impacting our sender reputation.
These reports are crucial for maintaining healthy email deliverability. They provide actionable data that allows senders to quickly identify and remove subscribers who are no longer interested in receiving emails, or to adjust content and sending frequency. Missing FBL data can leave you blind to escalating spam complaints, which can eventually lead to your IP addresses or domains being added to email blocklists (or blacklists), severely impacting inbox placement. I'll walk through the typical reasons for this issue and how to troubleshoot it.
The role of feedback loops and recent shifts
Feedback loops are an industry standard, with most major ISPs participating to help legitimate senders improve their practices. When a recipient clicks the report spam button, the FBL system aggregates this data and sends it back to the sender in an Abuse Reporting Format (ARF) report. This process helps maintain a clean mailing list and prevents negative reputation signals that can lead to emails landing in spam folders.
However, the landscape of FBLs has evolved. A significant change came when Validity began charging for access to its Universal Feedback Loop (UFL) data, which includes FBLs from many ISPs, including Telenor. This shift meant that senders who previously received these reports for free might now need a paid subscription to continue access. This change was widely discussed, and it led to many senders reviewing their FBL strategies. You can find more details on this development on Spam Resource, and we also have an article on why Validity started charging for UFL ARF reports.
Even for those of us who are already paying subscribers to Validity's services, the absence of reports from a specific provider like Telenor can be puzzling. It highlights that while FBLs are crucial, their reliable delivery can sometimes be subject to specific ISP integrations, occasional technical glitches, or individual policy nuances. It’s not always a straightforward process, and pinpointing the exact cause requires a systematic approach.
The importance of FBLs
Feedback loops are critical for maintaining a positive sender reputation and ensuring high email deliverability. They provide direct insights into how your subscribers are interacting with your emails, especially when they mark them as spam. This information is vital for removing unengaged users and optimizing your sending strategy.
For more general information on FBLs, you can refer to resources like M3AAWG's FBL resources.
Why Telenor feedback loop reports may be missing
Despite paying for Validity's FBL services, there are several reasons why I might not be receiving reports specifically from Telenor. One common reason is simply low complaint volume. If I'm sending a very small number of emails to Telenor users, or if my engagement rates are exceptionally high (and thus complaints are very low), it's possible that I'm just not hitting the minimum complaint thresholds required for FBL reports to be generated and sent. Many FBL programs have a minimum threshold before they start sending reports to prevent data overload from insignificant complaint numbers.
Another factor could be technical issues on my end. For example, the email address or endpoint where I expect to receive the ARF reports might be misconfigured, leading to reports being sent to a black hole. My own mail server's spam filters or internal routing rules could also be inadvertently blocking or miscategorizing these incoming FBL reports. It’s crucial to check server logs and email configurations thoroughly to rule out any internal issues preventing report reception. This is similar to how Microsoft SNDS authorization emails can sometimes be delayed or not received due to internal filtering.
Finally, the issue might lie with Telenor or Validity themselves. ISPs occasionally experience temporary outages or make changes to their FBL systems that can disrupt report delivery. Validity, as the operator of Telenor's FBL, might have specific requirements for enrollment or ongoing access that I haven't fully met, even if my payment is up to date. Sometimes, it can be a simple technical hiccup on their side, as some users have experienced with Yahoo CFL reports in recent times. It's important to consider all these possibilities when troubleshooting.
Typical FBL operation
User reports spam: Recipient marks an email as junk or spam within their inbox.
ISP generates report: The Internet Service Provider (ISP) creates an ARF report based on the complaint.
Report sent to sender: The ARF report is then sent to the email address or server configured for FBL reception.
Sender takes action: The sender processes the report to remove the complaining user and avoid future issues.
Low complaint volume: Insufficient spam complaints to trigger reports from the ISP.
Sender-side issues: Misconfigured receiving address or internal email filtering.
ISP or FBL operator outages: Temporary technical problems with the FBL service itself.
Effective troubleshooting steps for missing FBLs
To effectively troubleshoot why Telenor FBL reports are not being received, I need to go through a systematic process. The first step is always to verify my subscription status with Validity. Even if I'm a paying customer, it's worth confirming that the specific FBL for Telenor is active and properly linked to my sending domains within my Validity account. Sometimes, a simple renewal or a forgotten configuration step can be the culprit.
Next, I need to check my own receiving infrastructure. This involves reviewing the mail logs on the server designated to receive ARF reports. I'll look for any incoming emails from Validity or Telenor that might be quarantined, bounced, or misrouted. It's not uncommon for internal spam filters to mistakenly flag ARF reports, especially if they contain spam complaint data within their headers. This is a crucial step before assuming the problem is external. The lack of reports can often affect FBL spam rate and identifier counts, impacting overall inbox placement.
Finally, if all internal checks come up clear, the next logical step is to contact Validity support directly. They are best positioned to confirm the operational status of the Telenor FBL, verify my enrollment, and investigate any known issues or delays on their side. They can provide specific guidance on whether there's a temporary outage or if particular conditions need to be met for Telenor FBLs to flow. From my own experience, I've seen that these services can sometimes have temporary disruptions, but are often quickly resolved once reported.
Issue
Likely Cause
Initial Check
No reports received
Validity subscription or Telenor FBL not active for your domain.
Log into your Validity account and verify FBL status for Telenor.
Reports stopped suddenly
Temporary outage or technical issue at Validity or Telenor.
Contact Validity support for current status and known issues.
Very low or zero reports
Low sending volume or very high engagement with Telenor recipients.
Analyze your email campaign data for Telenor users (sent volume, open rates, click rates).
Reports are sent but not received internally
Misconfigured receiving email address or internal mail filters.
Check your mail server logs and spam quarantine for incoming ARF reports.
Proactive FBL management and ongoing monitoring
Proactive FBL management goes beyond simply reacting to missing reports. It involves continuously monitoring your email deliverability metrics and being prepared for potential disruptions. Keeping a close eye on your spam complaint rates across all ISPs, not just Telenor, is key to maintaining a strong sender reputation. Regular analysis of these trends can help you spot potential issues before they escalate into major deliverability problems, such as your IP or domain getting on a blocklist (or blacklist).
It's also beneficial to leverage other reporting mechanisms. For instance, DMARC aggregate reports can provide valuable insights into mail streams that fail authentication, including those that might be perceived as spam. While not direct FBLs, they offer a broader view of email deliverability issues and can complement the data you receive from FBLs. If you are experiencing inconsistent FBL data with Gmail Postmaster Tools, analyzing your DMARC reports might provide additional clues.
Ultimately, the goal is to maintain robust communication channels with ISPs to ensure your legitimate emails reach the inbox. This continuous effort helps you quickly adapt to changes in the email ecosystem and proactively address any issues that could impact your sender reputation. It’s an ongoing process that benefits from consistent attention and the right tools. If you're encountering broader issues with messages not arriving at Comcast or other providers, a comprehensive approach to deliverability is essential.
Example: Check your DMARC record to ensure reporting is configuredBASH
dig TXT _dmarc.yourdomain.com +short
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Actively monitor your email metrics, especially open and click-through rates for Telenor, to gauge engagement levels and predict potential complaint volumes. If engagement is low, consider re-engaging or removing those recipients.
Maintain a clean and validated subscriber list, regularly removing inactive or bouncing addresses. This minimizes the chances of hitting spam traps or generating complaints from unengaged users.
Ensure your DMARC, SPF, and DKIM records are correctly configured and aligned. Strong authentication builds trust with ISPs and can indirectly influence how your FBL reports are handled and prioritized.
Common pitfalls
Assuming FBL reports will arrive automatically without proper registration or active subscription, especially with service providers like Validity that now charge for access.
Overlooking internal email filtering or misconfigurations on your own mail servers that might be blocking or quarantining incoming FBL (ARF) reports, leading to a false perception of missing data.
Ignoring the specific complaint thresholds of FBL programs. If you send very low volumes to a particular ISP, you might not generate enough complaints to trigger reports, which isn't necessarily a sign of a problem.
Expert tips
Automate the processing of FBL reports to ensure immediate removal of complaining subscribers. This proactive approach not only improves deliverability but also prevents further negative impact on your sender reputation.
Beyond FBLs, utilize other data sources like Google Postmaster Tools and DMARC aggregate reports for a holistic view of your sender health. These tools can reveal issues that FBLs might not capture.
Keep abreast of ISP policy changes and industry news regarding FBLs. The email ecosystem is constantly evolving, and staying informed can help you anticipate and adapt to new requirements or disruptions.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says they haven't received anything since May 2023, which indicates a widespread or prolonged issue rather than an isolated incident.
2023-05-01 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says that if you're not paying for the FBL feed, you might not be getting them anymore due to recent policy changes.
2023-10-02 - Email Geeks
Final thoughts on FBL report reception
The experience of not receiving FBL reports from Telenor, despite having a Validity subscription, underscores the complexities of email deliverability. While Validity's policy changes are a factor, troubleshooting requires looking at multiple potential causes: complaint volume, technical setups, and the current operational status of the FBL provider.
My own efforts, and similar reports from other senders, confirm that sometimes these issues are temporary and can be resolved through direct communication with the FBL operator. Maintaining consistent vigilance over your email metrics and FBL reception is vital. This proactive approach, combined with a willingness to investigate both internal and external factors, will ensure you have the necessary insights to optimize your sending practices and maintain a strong sender reputation.
Validity for their FBL services. It’s a common frustration for email senders when these vital reports suddenly stop. FBLs are essentially direct lines of communication from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that alert us when their users mark our emails as spam. Without them, it's incredibly difficult to pinpoint specific campaigns or sending practices that are causing recipient complaints and negatively impacting our sender reputation.
Telenor or 
Yahoo CFL reports in recent times. It's important to consider all these possibilities when troubleshooting.
Gmail Postmaster Tools, analyzing your DMARC reports might provide additional clues.
Comcast or other providers, a comprehensive approach to deliverability is essential.
