What’s a bounce?

What’s a Contact’s Status? What’s a bounce?

Email

An email bounce is a notice from the receiving ISP or domain that the email you attempted to send hasn’t been delivered. When and if the ISP returns a bounce code to the system, it’s reported as a bounce.

SMS

A bounce is a notice from the network provider that the SMS you attempted to send hasn’t been delivered. When and if the network returns a bounce code to the system, it’s reported as a bounce.

Bounce statistics and details, such as the bounce type, are available in the detailed reports in Email History and SMS History. These reports can be exported.

Bounce Types

The type of bounce is recorded for reporting purposes. Both email and SMS bounce reporting record two types of bounces: Hard and soft.

The bounce detail is only available for six months and the bounce information for two months. Messages older than that will not display data.

Bounce Limits

When contacts exceed the bounce limits set below, they’re automatically updated according to the bounced status.

When your recipient has set up an auto-reply on their mailbox (such as an out-of-office auto-reply), the system will scan the auto-reply for the date that the contact has indicated that they’ll be back in the office. If this is a future date, the system will pause further sending to that address until the recipient has returned. If there’s no date in the auto-reply, emails will be sent as usual. Auto-reply bounces do not count towards the bounce total.

Ready to test your knowledge of bounce types? Click the What’s a bounce button to begin. Answer the questions correctly to pass, and remember to use the resources we’ve given you – they’re there to help you. Now give it your best shot!