Summary
Following DMARC implementation, soft bounces with Bigpond often result from a combination of factors. While DMARC itself might not be the direct cause, it can expose existing issues related to content, authentication, and reputation. Specifically, emails are frequently flagged as spam due to content triggers. Additionally, incorrect DMARC configuration, poor sender reputation, and non-compliance with Australian spam laws can contribute to the problem. Temporary server issues might also play a role, but are less likely as a direct consequence of DMARC. Addressing content quality, ensuring correct SPF/DKIM alignment, monitoring sender reputation, and adhering to bulk sender guidelines are vital to mitigating soft bounces.
Key findings
- Content as Spam: Email content is frequently flagged as spam by Bigpond, indicated by a '558 5.7.1' error. DMARC can highlight existing issues with content.
- DMARC/Authentication Issues: Incorrect SPF/DKIM alignment with DMARC can cause bounces. DMARC configuration must be checked.
- Reputation Matters: Poor sender reputation, unmasked by DMARC, can lead to soft bounces. Checking reputation is recommended.
- Compliance & Regulations: Non-compliance with Australian spam laws can also trigger soft bounces. Adhering to these regulations is vital.
- ISPs Spam Filtering: ISPs implement a high level of spam filtering for emails that are sent to them.
Key considerations
- Content Review & Optimization: Thoroughly review email content for spam triggers. Revise email to remove any spam trigger words and check for poor quality HTML.
- Authentication Validation: Validate SPF and DKIM configuration and alignment. DMARC configuration must be checked and aligned.
- Reputation Monitoring & Improvement: Monitor and improve sender reputation (domain and IP). Check is the IP on a blacklist.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with Australian spam regulations. Comply with these regulations.
- DMARC Reporting: Review DMARC reports for alignment issues. Diagnose alignment issues after implementing DMARC by reviewing the reports.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
After implementing DMARC, soft bounces with Bigpond are often triggered by content-related spam filtering, not necessarily DMARC itself. While DMARC implementation can expose underlying issues, the primary cause is frequently the email content being flagged as spam. Other factors include incorrect SPF/DKIM alignment, sender reputation, and temporary server issues. Addressing content issues and ensuring proper authentication is crucial for resolving these soft bounce problems.
Key opinions
- Content Filtering: The '558 5.7.1' error message indicates content is being flagged as spam by Bigpond's filters.
- SPF/DKIM Alignment: Incorrect alignment between SPF/DKIM records after implementing DMARC can cause deliverability problems.
- Sender Reputation: Implementing DMARC can reveal underlying sender reputation issues that were previously masked.
- DMARC Configuration: If SPF or DKIM are not configured correctly or are failing alignment checks, implementing DMARC with a strict policy can cause emails to be soft bounced.
Key considerations
- Content Review: Analyze email content for common spam keywords, broken links, and excessive use of images. A/B test different content variations.
- Authentication Verification: Verify that SPF and DKIM are properly set up and aligned for your domain. Ensure DMARC records are correctly configured.
- Reputation Monitoring: Check your IP address and domain reputation using senderbase and other reputation monitoring tools.
- Sending Practices: Adjust sending practices to reduce spam complaints and maintain consistent sending volumes. Consider segmenting engaged vs unengaged users.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Gmass explains that a sender's reputation can significantly impact email deliverability. After DMARC implementation, receivers might more strictly enforce reputation-based filtering, leading to soft bounces if your sending domain or IP has a poor or unknown reputation.
14 Jan 2025 - Gmass
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailOctopus shares that soft bounces can occur due to temporary server issues, full mailboxes, or content-related spam filtering at the recipient's end, even if DMARC is correctly set up. These problems can be exacerbated after DMARC implementation if sending practices are not optimal.
8 Jan 2025 - EmailOctopus
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Implementing DMARC can cause soft bounces with Bigpond if SPF and DKIM aren't correctly aligned, sender reputation is poor, or email content triggers spam filters. DMARC enforcement highlights underlying issues, leading to legitimate emails being rejected or quarantined. Improving content quality, reviewing DMARC reports for alignment problems, and focusing on sender reputation are essential steps to resolve these soft bounce issues.
Key opinions
- DMARC Alignment: Incorrect SPF and DKIM alignment with DMARC results in message rejections or quarantines.
- Sender Reputation: DMARC enforcement reveals underlying sender reputation problems.
- Content Quality: Problematic content or poor-quality HTML triggers spam filters, leading to soft bounces.
Key considerations
- Review DMARC Reports: Diagnose alignment issues after implementing DMARC by reviewing DMARC reports.
- Improve Sender Reputation: Reduce spam complaints and maintain consistent sending volumes to enhance sender reputation.
- Content Optimization: Review email content to remove spam trigger words and improve HTML quality.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise suggests that DMARC enforcement can reveal underlying sender reputation problems. Even if the email passes authentication, a poor sender reputation can still lead to soft bounces, especially with stricter filtering policies. Focus on improving sender reputation by reducing spam complaints and maintaining consistent sending volumes.
10 Apr 2025 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that when implementing DMARC, messages that fail DMARC checks may be rejected or quarantined based on the DMARC policy (p=reject or p=quarantine). If your SPF and DKIM aren't correctly aligned with DMARC, legitimate messages may start bouncing. Review your DMARC reports to diagnose the alignment issues after implementing DMARC.
29 Dec 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Soft bounces with Bigpond after DMARC implementation can stem from several issues, as highlighted by various documentation sources. Incorrect DMARC configuration, especially misalignment between SPF/DKIM, can lead to legitimate emails being blocked. Furthermore, strict spam filtering mechanisms employed by Australian ISPs, compliance with spam laws, sender reputation, and content quality all play crucial roles. A 550 5.7.1 error suggests spam filtering, policy violations, or sender reputation problems may be at play.
Key findings
- DMARC Configuration: Incorrect DMARC configuration (e.g., a strict 'reject' policy without proper SPF/DKIM alignment) can lead to soft bounces.
- Spam Filtering: Australian ISPs like Bigpond implement strict spam filtering mechanisms.
- SMTP Error Codes: A 5.7.1 SMTP error typically indicates the message was rejected due to content or policy reasons.
- Bulk Sender Guidelines: ISPs often follow bulk sender guidelines, including maintaining a low spam complaint rate and proper authentication.
- 550 5.7.1 Error: A 550 5.7.1 error can indicate spam filtering, policy violations, or sender reputation problems.
Key considerations
- DMARC Record Check: Check your DMARC record for correctness and alignment with SPF/DKIM.
- Compliance: Ensure your email complies with Australian spam laws.
- Sender Reputation: Investigate if your domain or IP is on any blacklists.
- Content Quality: Ensure high email content quality.
- Bulk Sender Guidelines Adherence: Adhere to bulk sender guidelines to maintain a low spam complaint rate, authenticate emails with SPF and DKIM, and provide easy unsubscribe options.
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft explains that a 550 5.7.1 error, similar to the one reported, can indicate a variety of issues including spam filtering, policy violations, or sender reputation problems. Investigate if your domain or IP are on any blacklists after DMARC was implemented.
6 Jun 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace highlights that ISPs like Bigpond often follow similar bulk sender guidelines. These guidelines include maintaining a low spam complaint rate, authenticating emails with SPF and DKIM, and providing easy unsubscribe options. Failing to meet these guidelines can lead to soft bounces.
2 Jan 2024 - Google Workspace
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