Maybe you’ve already read about bounce or hard bounce. If not, we recommend checking those first to better understand email bounces.
What is a Soft Bounce?
A Soft Bounce occurs when an email is not delivered due to a temporary issue. Unlike a Hard Bounce, which means the email address is invalid or permanently undeliverable, a Soft Bounce may be resolved and retried later.
At Mailpro, we classify emails as Soft Bounces when delivery fails due to temporary issues. We attempt redelivery before categorizing them as a Soft Bounce.
Soft Bounce vs. Hard Bounce
| Soft Bounce | Hard Bounce |
|---|---|
| Temporary issue (e.g., mailbox full, server down) | Permanent issue (e.g., invalid email, non-existent domain) |
| Can be retried later | Cannot be retried |
| Email remains in your list | Email should be removed from your list |
Types of Soft Bounce Emails
Mailpro classifies Soft Bounces into different categories based on the cause of delivery failure:
- No Answer from Host - The recipient's email server exists, but it is temporarily unresponsive.
- Bad Connection - The email server responds but fails to establish a stable connection. We retry after 7 and 45 minutes.
- Quota Issues - The recipient’s mailbox is full, or the email size exceeds the limit. Consider reducing your email size.
- SMTP Protocol Error - A rare issue where the sender and recipient mail servers fail to communicate properly.
- Routing Errors - Occurs when an email passes through multiple servers and fails due to a routing issue.
- Bad Configuration - A misconfigured recipient server prevents email delivery.
- Content-Related Issues - The email may contain attachments, links, or spam-related words that trigger email filters. With Mailpro, you can replace attachments with secure download links to improve deliverability.
- Spam-Related Blocks - If a server detects spam indicators, your email may be rejected. Reduce links, avoid spam-triggering words, and personalize your content. Learn how to avoid spam filters.
- Invalid Sender - Some mail servers require SPF and DKIM authentication. Configure your domain correctly with Mailpro to improve deliverability. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Message Expired - If multiple delivery attempts fail, the email is classified as expired but remains in your list for future campaigns.
- Policy Restrictions - Some mail servers block emails based on internal policies, such as bulk email limits.
- Virus Detection - If a virus is detected in an attachment, the email may be rejected. Mailpro prevents this by hosting files and providing secure download links instead of attachments.
How to Reduce Soft Bounces and Improve Email Deliverability
- Authenticate Your Domain: Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
- Avoid Spam Triggers: Reduce links, avoid overused sales phrases, and use a business domain instead of a free email sender.
- Segment Your Email List: Remove inactive subscribers and track engagement rates.
- Optimize Send Times: Some email servers limit emails based on volume. Send emails when engagement is highest.
- Use a Trusted Email Marketing Platform: With Mailpro, your emails are monitored, and Soft Bounces are automatically managed to improve your email success rate.
Conclusion
Soft Bounces are temporary email delivery failures that can often be fixed. Monitoring bounce rates and optimizing email authentication, content, and list hygiene can help reduce these issues. By using Mailpro, you can automate bounce management, improve deliverability, and ensure your email marketing campaigns reach your audience successfully.