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If you’ve ever run an email campaign and noticed that some messages didn’t go through, you’ve experienced email bounces. But what exactly is a bounced email? Why does it happen — and how can you reduce bounce rates to improve your email marketing success?
In this guide, we’ll break down the meaning and definition of a bounced email, the different types of bounces, and how Parlo helps you manage your email list for better deliverability and engagement.
A bounced email is an email message that is returned to the sender because it couldn’t be delivered to the intended recipient.
When you send an email and it doesn’t reach your subscriber’s inbox, it’s considered a “bounce.” The email server will typically send back an error message explaining why the delivery failed.
Email bounces negatively impact your sender reputation, deliverability rates, and overall campaign performance — which is why understanding and managing them is crucial for any email marketer.
Not all bounces are created equal. There are two main types of bounced emails:
A hard bounce occurs when an email permanently fails to deliver. This usually happens because:
Hard bounces are serious. These addresses should be removed from your email list immediately to protect your sender reputation.
A soft bounce is a temporary delivery failure. Reasons might include:
Soft bounces can resolve themselves.
High bounce rates are a red flag to email providers like Gmail or Outlook. If too many of your messages bounce, it can:
That’s why email list hygiene — and a tool like Parlo — is essential.
At Parlo, we know that successful email marketing starts with deliverability. Our platform is designed to help creators and small businesses:
Parlo’s clean interface and powerful analytics make it easy to stay on top of email performance without overwhelming dashboards or bloated features. Plus, we only charge based on how many emails you send — not how many contacts you have.
Explore our transparent pricing → https://www.getparlo.io/#pricing
Want to keep your bounce rate low and deliverability high? Follow these best practices:
Learn more about converting and nurturing your email list:
→ How to Your Readers into Customers
→ 5 Tips on How to Build a Relationship With Customers Through Email
Even the most beautifully written email won’t drive results if it never lands in your subscriber’s inbox.
Email marketing is still one of the highest ROI channels — but it only works when your emails are actually delivered. That’s why keeping your bounce rate in check is non-negotiable.
A few bounces here and there are normal. But a high bounce rate is a sign that your list needs attention.
With Parlo, managing bounces is simple and stress-free — so you can focus on crafting meaningful emails that reach your audience and drive real results.
Ready to take control of your email performance? Try Parlo today and make email marketing simple, powerful, and bounce-proof.
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