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How to handle mailbox full blocks

Blog post from Twilio

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Beth Kittle, Jesse Sumrak
Word Count
1,109
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

Managing mailbox full blocks, a key aspect of list hygiene often overlooked, can significantly enhance email reputation and reduce block rates at major providers like Gmail, Microsoft, and Apple. This involves addressing "block" responses, which are soft bounces indicating temporary delivery issues such as a full recipient mailbox. While these blocks are common, they require attention to prevent harm to brand reputation and delivery rates. The text outlines the importance of monitoring and suppressing email addresses that consistently yield "mailbox full" responses over time, as persistently inactive addresses may eventually be deactivated or converted into spam traps. It advises on developing suppression logic that balances allowing active users to return while avoiding unnecessary costs from repeated soft bounces. Best practices for handling these responses vary between B2C and B2B contexts, with B2C senders generally allowing more leniency. The text emphasizes the need for testing to determine suitable suppression parameters and offers professional services for further optimization in email management strategies.