Where Should Failed Messages Go? Three Pitfalls in Kafka Retry/DLT Design and Operations

This article discusses how to retry messages that fail to process in Kafka-based messaging systems and where to send messages that ultimately fail. It highlights three pitfalls encountered while designing and operating the core components: Retry and DLT (Dead Letter Topic).

To build a stable flow for handling failed messages, retry policies and final isolation points must be clearly defined. Considerations must include not only the design phase but also issues that may arise during actual operations.