Bounce (Email)
01 Definition
Bounce (Email) meaning: An email that could not be delivered and was returned by the receiving server.
A bounce is an email that the receiving mail server rejected or could not deliver, returning a notice to the sender. Bounces split into hard bounces, from permanent problems like invalid addresses, and soft bounces, from temporary issues like a full mailbox. High bounce rates harm sender reputation.
Why it matters
How Bounce (Email) fits the work
Bounces reveal bad or unreachable addresses on your list, and letting them pile up signals careless sending that mailbox providers penalize with worse placement.
In context
Of 10,000 emails sent, 200 bounced because the addresses no longer existed, so the team suppressed them before the next campaign.
Practical note
Always remove hard bounces promptly, since repeatedly mailing invalid addresses tells providers you do not maintain your list and can push all your mail toward spam.