When should soft bounces be converted to hard bounces?

Soft bounces should be converted to hard bounces after repeated failures demonstrate the address is unlikely to recover. Common thresholds include 3 to 5 consecutive soft bounces over 7 to 30 days.

The specific threshold depends on bounce type. Mailbox full might recover quickly if the user cleans up. Server timeout might resolve in hours. Consistent patterns suggesting permanent problems warrant faster conversion.

Some organizations use tiered approaches: reduce send frequency after initial soft bounces, suspend after repeated failures, and convert to hard bounce after extended periods. This prevents over mailing problematic addresses while allowing recovery opportunities.