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Local vs Remote Bounces? — Identify where bounces originate to fix deliverability fast. Get Help →

What’s the difference between local and remote bounce sources?

  • Local vs remote bounce sources indicate different problems:
  • Local bounce sources:
  • Your sending server. Your MTA queue. Your relay infrastructure. Before external transmission.
  • Local causes:
  • Configuration errors. DNS lookup failures from your end. Queue expiration. Internal policy rejections.
  • Remote bounce sources:
  • Recipient's MX server. Intermediate relays. Gateway security services. After leaving your network.
  • Remote causes:
  • User does not exist. Mailbox full. Reputation rejection. Content filtering.
  • Diagnostic difference:
  • Local: You can fix it. Remote: Depends on external factors. Identifying source determines response.
  • Local bounces are your ship's problems. Remote bounces are the destination's decisions.
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