How do “never openers” influence ISP reputation?

Never openers are addresses that receive your mail but never engage:

They contribute zero positive signals. No opens, clicks, or replies.

Their presence lowers your aggregate engagement rates. If 30% of your list never opens, your overall metrics suffer.

ISPs see a sender whose mail is ignored by a significant portion of recipients. This signals potential deliverability risk.

Never openers may also be abandoned addresses, increasing spamtrap risk.

Regular list hygiene to sunset never openers protects your reputation.

Passengers who never disembark make your ship look like it is carrying unwanted cargo.