Soft Bounce

Definition of Soft Bounce

An email that is temporarily undeliverable, often due to a full inbox or a server issue.

Explanation of Soft Bounce

Soft Bounce refers to an email that is temporarily undeliverable to the recipient’s inbox. This can occur due to various reasons, such as the recipient’s mailbox being full, the email server being down, or the email message being too large. Unlike hard bounces, which indicate a permanent delivery failure (e.g., invalid email address), soft bounces suggest that the issue may be resolved, allowing the email to be delivered at a later time. Email marketers track soft bounces to monitor the health of their email campaigns and address any deliverability issues. High soft bounce rates can indicate problems with the email list, such as outdated or inactive addresses, or issues with the email content or server. Managing soft bounces involves regularly cleaning and updating the email list, ensuring emails comply with best practices, and working with email service providers to resolve technical issues. By addressing soft bounces, marketers can improve email deliverability and overall campaign performance.

This dictionary entry was written by

Per-Gulbrand Peter Braathen

With a foundation in doctoral-level research, Per-Gulbrand Peter Braathen is a seasoned expert in the areas of marketing, branding and communication. His proficiency extends to marketing management, branding and communication strategy. Braathen's experience is underscored by his rich background from various industries, including entertainment. A distinguished alumnus of the USC Marshall School of Business, Braathen boasts a Master of Science in Marketing, complemented by a Graduate Certificate in the Business of Entertainment from the USC School of Cinematic Arts as well as two undergraduate Bachelor degrees from the esteemed University of Southern California.