Why can sending to inactive users tank inbox rates?

Sending to inactive users creates concentrated negative signals:

Low engagement: Inactive users do not open, click, or reply. Engagement rates plummet.

Negative behaviors: Messages get deleted without reading or simply ignored.

Reputation impact: Providers see a sender whose mail is largely unwanted.

Rapid degradation: A large inactive segment can tank overall metrics quickly.

The effect compounds. Poor placement to inactive users spreads to affect placement for engaged users as overall reputation suffers.

Delivering to abandoned docks drags down your reputation at every port.