Emails bouncing specifically from Optonline and other similar ISPs result from a complex interplay of factors. These include ISP-specific filtering rules (often stricter for smaller ISPs), poor sender reputation (potentially leading to blacklisting with services like Cloudmark), content that resembles spam, and authentication problems. Investigating bounce codes is crucial, as is monitoring sender reputation and engaging in IP warming. Clean list management and relevant content are also vital. Technically, bounces can stem from SMTP protocol issues, invalid addresses, server policy rejections, or temporary server unavailability. Furthermore, authentication problems with DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, exceeding sending limits, or issues of a sudden increase of bounced emails can have effects.
10 marketer opinions
Emails bouncing specifically from Optonline and similar ISPs often stem from a combination of factors, including: stricter filtering rules by smaller ISPs, spam-like content or poor sender reputation leading to blacklisting, compromised sending servers or changes in ISP policies causing sudden bounce rate increases, DNS issues due to incorrect or missing authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and general list hygiene issues. Monitoring sender reputation, investigating specific bounce codes, properly warming up IP addresses, sending relevant content, and maintaining a clean subscriber list are crucial for improving deliverability.
Marketer view
Email marketer from ZeroBounce describes sending relevant, engaging content to your subscribers. Emails that are perceived as spam or unwanted are more likely to result in bounces and blocks.
3 Feb 2024 - ZeroBounce
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks confirms they had a similar issue with optonline related to Cloudmark.
13 Apr 2022 - Email Geeks
8 expert opinions
Bounces specifically from Optonline and similar ISPs are frequently tied to reputation issues and filtering practices. Rejection messages from ISPs can offer specific reasons for the bounce. Cloudmark, a reputation provider, is often used by mid-sized ISPs, so a poor Cloudmark reputation can cause delivery problems. eDataSource can provide Cloudmark data. Address validation has little impact on Cloudmark, while user engagement and complaints are more important. Cable provider-specific issues often indicate a targeted response, and DMARC reports are useful for authentication problems. Improper DMARC or other authentication issues, or blacklisting, can cause rejections. Therefore, maintaining good sender reputation is critical to avoiding bounces.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks, following up on Kent McGovern's initial suggestion, shares that Cloudmark is a filtering company/reputation provider used by many mid-size ISPs. Poor reputation with Cloudmark can lead to delivery issues at places that use them.
6 Feb 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks explains that if your mail is being rejected by an ISP they'll usually do so with a message that suggests why, often with clear reasons.
26 Oct 2022 - Email Geeks
4 technical articles
Bounces from Optonline and other ISPs, from a technical perspective, are caused by several factors outlined in email documentation. The SMTP protocol, as detailed in RFC documentation, indicates that bounces arise from invalid recipient addresses, server policy rejections, or temporary server unavailability. Blacklisting, according to Spamhaus documentation, can lead to widespread rejections if an IP is listed. Furthermore, documentation from Google highlights the importance of email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), low complaint rates, and easy unsubscription to improve deliverability. Finally, Microsoft documentation notes that exceeding sending limits or emailing too many invalid recipients can trigger blocks or throttling by ISPs.
Technical article
Documentation from RFC Editor details the underlying SMTP protocol which dictates that bounces occur due to issues like invalid recipient addresses, policy rejections by the receiving server, or temporary unavailability of the server. Specific error codes provide further detail.
4 Feb 2025 - RFC Editor
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft details if you exceed your sending limits or send emails to too many invalid recipients, ISPs might block or throttle your emails.
3 Mar 2023 - Microsoft
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