Recent activity for contact shows an email was opened but also undeliverable?

[user18939]

Good morning, I am currently cleaning up my contact lists, so I am investigating contacts who have recently had an email that was undeliverable. When I look at the Engagement-->Recent Activity part of the contact details for some contacts, I am seeing situations where an email was 'opened' but also 'bounced as undeliverable'. For example: Apr 17, 2024 11:05am • Bounced as undeliverable • Email • for [email name] 11:03am • Opened • Email • [email name] 11:03am • Was sent • Email • [email name] These people have had previous undeliverable emails (some opened and some not). How is it possible that an email was undeliverable but was also opened?

[William_A · Accepted solution]

Hello @user18939 ,

Undeliverable email addresses are like getting a busy signal on your phone. When we attempted to send the email, it means the ISP didn't respond, so we'll keep trying to deliver the email for up to 3 days. In the email's reporting, the contact shouldn't be included among the Undeliverables if we were finally able to get it through, but their engagement notes will still show the initial failed attempts. 

For more info on bounces and how to manage them, make sure to check out this article. 

[user18939]

Hi William,

Thanks for this info, that's very helpful. I have seen multiple people who are listed in the bounce list for an email (as undeliverable or other bounce types), but their engagement notes show the email was opened. Is this a glitch? 

[William_A]

I'd recommend checking the contact's other reporting in the email. It's possible that if their system initially prevented delivery before allowing it through, then it would result in the contact being bounced, but then later opening the email. However, if the same contact that both bounced and opened the email also clicked every single link within the same 1-min timespan, it might indicate they're using a system that downloads images and clicks links to scan for malware.

Do the contacts that show open for their engagement show properly in that email's open reports? Do they have any other metrics - clicks, etc.?

[KevinD2054]

I have the same issue. I show multiple engagements for a client to our website and then linkedIn. 3 minutes later the email is listed as bounced.

[William_A]

@KevinD2054 , did those clicks for your site and LinkedIn page all occur within a single minute (especially really close to the initial send time), or were they spaced out a bit more naturally?