What describes a soft bounce in email communication?

A soft bounce in email communication refers to a temporary issue that prevents an email from being delivered to the recipient's inbox. This situation often occurs due to reasons such as a full inbox or a temporary server problem on the recipient's end. Because these issues are not permanent, email service providers will typically try to resend the email multiple times over a certain period before determining that it cannot be successfully delivered.

The essence of a soft bounce is its temporary nature, implying that delivery can still be achieved once the underlying issue is resolved, which is why multiple attempts to send are made. This contrasts with a hard bounce, where the email fails to deliver due to permanent reasons like an invalid email address or the recipient’s domain not existing. Understanding the distinction between these types of bounces is crucial for effective email communication and maintaining a healthy email list.