Summary
The issue of Yahoo FBL complaint dates appearing weeks before notification dates in Amazon SES is multifaceted. Delays can arise from Yahoo's internal processing, filtering, and aggregation of FBL data, as well as potential rate limiting and reputation-based throttling. Timezone discrepancies, system load, and inherent latency due to prioritization by ISPs also contribute. Sudden spikes in complaints may indicate a list-bombing attack. While Amazon SES processes data promptly, its control over Yahoo's reporting timeline is limited. The consensus suggests that Yahoo's FBL processes differ from other ISPs, warranting a focused investigation of both Yahoo's and Amazon's documentation, as well as internal monitoring of complaint rates and reputation.
Key findings
- Yahoo Processing: Yahoo performs extensive processing and aggregation on FBL data before providing it to ESPs, including de-duplication, filtering, and anonymization.
- ISP Specific: The timing differences are specific to Yahoo FBLs due to variations in how different ISPs process feedback loops.
- Internal Delays: Delays can occur due to processing times within Yahoo's systems and the subsequent transmission to Amazon SES, influenced by complaint volume and system load.
- Latency & Prioritization: Some inherent latency is expected with FBLs as ISPs prioritize other tasks, with FBL generation having a lower priority.
- Rate Limiting & Reputation: Rate limiting and reputation issues can cause delays due to abuse prevention and past sending history.
- Timezone Issues: Timezone differences in complaint and notification dates can create the illusion of delayed complaint dates.
- Potential attacks: If there is a large jump in spam complaints then there might be a list-bombing attack on your system.
- SES Limitations: Amazon SES processes the data as soon as it's received, but cannot control the ISP's reporting timeline.
Key considerations
- Documentation: Explore Yahoo's specific documentation for FBLs, and also examine Amazon SES documentation.
- Timestamp Verification: Verify timestamps and ensure they're in the same timezone to prevent the illusion of delays.
- Reputation Analysis: Monitor sender reputation and investigate if the reputation is causing the rate limiting and delays.
- Monitor Metrics: Check sending metrics and monitor any surge in spam complaints that may be a list bombing attack.
What email marketers say
7 marketer opinions
Several factors may contribute to Yahoo FBL complaint dates appearing weeks before notification dates in Amazon SES. These include Yahoo's internal processing and batching of FBL data, potential filtering or validation of complaints, timezone discrepancies, inherent latency due to prioritization of tasks by ISPs, rate limiting to prevent abuse, and reputation-based delays. A sudden surge in complaints may also indicate a list-bombing attack.
Key opinions
- Internal Processing: Yahoo might batch process FBL data, causing delays.
- Complaint Filtering: Yahoo may filter or validate complaints before sending FBL notifications.
- Timezone Issues: Timezone differences can create the illusion of delayed complaint dates.
- General Latency: ISPs prioritize other tasks over FBL generation, introducing latency.
- Rate Limiting: Yahoo might rate limit FBL data to prevent abuse.
- Reputation Impact: Delays may be due to reputation issues and rate limiting based on sending history.
- List Bombing: A sudden surge in spam complaints could indicate a list-bombing attack.
Key considerations
- Yahoo Specifics: Investigate Yahoo's specific FBL documentation and processes for more details.
- Timezone Verification: Verify that all timestamps are consistent with each other and in the same timezone to see if the discrepancies are caused by timezone issues.
- Reputation Monitoring: Monitor your sender reputation and sending metrics for any negative trends.
- Complaint Volume Analysis: Analyze complaint volume for sudden spikes, which could indicate a list-bombing attack or other issues.
- Amazon SES Configuration: Ensure your Amazon SES configuration is properly set up to receive and process FBL data.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit User MailGuru shares that Yahoo might be filtering or validating complaints before sending FBL notifications. This filtering process could introduce delays between when the user reports spam and when the FBL is generated.
30 Jun 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from Quora explains that there might be rate limiting on the yahoo FBL system to prevent abuse of the FBL reporting system.
22 Sep 2024 - Quora
What the experts say
6 expert opinions
The discrepancy between Yahoo FBL complaint dates and notification dates in Amazon SES likely stems from a combination of factors. Yahoo's unique FBL processing, including data aggregation, filtering, and potential anonymization, introduces delays. Amazon might also be altering the timestamps. The issue seems specific to Yahoo, with other ISPs showing more consistent timestamps. Investigating both Yahoo's and Amazon SES documentation is crucial to understanding the complete picture.
Key opinions
- Yahoo Processing: Yahoo likely performs data processing and aggregation on FBL data before sending it to ESPs, causing delays.
- Yahoo Specific: The issue with differing timestamps appears to be specific to Yahoo FBLs.
- Amazon Involvement: Amazon might be processing or altering the timestamps retrieved from Yahoo's FBL data.
- Client Setup: Client is using Amazon SES and pulling FBL data directly from Amazon, suggesting Amazon SES is responsible for the timestamps they are seeing.
- Initial Observations: There is a third 'email date' column available within the data.
Key considerations
- Documentation Review: Carefully review both Yahoo's FBL documentation and Amazon SES documentation to understand data processing and potential timestamp adjustments.
- Timestamp Origin: Investigate how Amazon handles and transforms the timestamps received from Yahoo's FBL reports.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare FBL data from other ISPs to confirm the Yahoo-specific nature of the timestamp discrepancies.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource suggests that Yahoo might perform extensive data processing and aggregation on FBL data before providing it to ESPs. This processing could involve de-duplication, filtering, and anonymization, leading to delays between the actual complaint and the FBL notification.
13 Mar 2025 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that the timing differences in Yahoo FBLs specifically is often related to variations in how different ISPs process feedback loops, so look for general causes but remember Yahoo can act differently. They suggest exploring Yahoo's specific documentation for FBLs, but also examining Amazon SES documentation.
20 Mar 2025 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
5 technical articles
Delays in Yahoo FBL complaint dates compared to notification dates in Amazon SES are primarily attributed to Yahoo's internal processing times and system load, which affect how quickly complaints are reflected in FBL data. Amazon SES processes FBL data as soon as it's received but has no control over Yahoo's reporting timeline. The processing time to send feedback reports can vary greatly depending on the infrastructure, policies and loads of the ISPs.
Key findings
- Yahoo Processing Time: Processing times within Yahoo's systems significantly contribute to FBL delays.
- Variable Reporting: Yahoo's FBL reporting timelines vary based on complaint volume and system load.
- ISP Dependency: The speed of FBL delivery is dependent on the ISP (Yahoo).
- SES Limited Control: Amazon SES processes data promptly upon receipt but cannot influence Yahoo's reporting timeline.
- RFC Variance: Time taken for ISP to generate feedback report varies.
Key considerations
- Accept Variance: Acknowledge and accept that there may be inherent delays in FBL processing, particularly with Yahoo.
- Internal Monitoring: While you can monitor sending statistics in Amazon SES for overall issues, these won't necessarily highlight the FBL delays.
Technical article
Documentation from Yahoo Postmaster states that while they strive for timely FBL reporting, processing times can vary. Factors like complaint volume and system load can influence the time it takes for a complaint to be reflected in the FBL data provided to ESPs like Amazon SES.
19 Mar 2024 - Yahoo
Technical article
Documentation from Amazon SES FAQs explains that the speed of FBL delivery is dependent on the ISP (in this case, Yahoo). Amazon SES processes the data as soon as it's received, but cannot control the ISP's reporting timeline.
25 Oct 2024 - Amazon Web Services
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