How do MTAs manage bounce handling?
MTAs categorize bounces by response codes and messages. Hard bounces (5xx) indicate permanent failures: invalid addresses, non-existent domains. Soft bounces (4xx) indicate temporary issues: full mailboxes, server unavailability. Each requires different handling.
Hard bounce processing: immediately remove address from sending, log for analytics, potentially notify sender. Continued sending to hard bounces damages reputation. MTAs typically suppress hard bounced addresses automatically.
Soft bounce processing: queue for retry, track attempt count and age, escalate to hard bounce after threshold. Persistent soft bounces (same address failing for days) should eventually convert to suppression. Good MTAs provide detailed bounce categorization for analytics and list hygiene.
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