Knowing your email bounce rate is one thing. Knowing what’s normal for your industry is another. Whether you’re doing cold outreach, running newsletters, or sending transactional emails, your benchmark matters.
What’s an Acceptable Bounce Rate?
As a rule of thumb:
- Below 2%: Safe and healthy
- 2–5%: Needs attention
- Above 5%: Problematic and may damage sender reputation
The more opt-in and engaged your list is, the lower your bounce rate should be.
Why Some Industries Have Higher Bounce Rates
Bounce rates vary depending on how lists are built, audience behavior, and how often emails are verified. For example:
Solution: Use a Bulk Validator to Stay Within Range
Avoid bounces before they happen. Use a bulk email validator to:
- Remove outdated or fake addresses
- Detect typos and risky domains
- Identify catch-all and disposable inboxes
Mini FAQ
Q: Why does B2B bounce more than B2C?
A: B2B emails often go to corporate domains. These expire more frequently than consumer addresses and are more likely to be protected by strict filters.
Q: Should I remove addresses after one bounce?
A: Only if it’s a hard bounce. Soft bounces may resolve on the next send.