Do I need to re-warm my IP after changing the hostname associated with it?
Summary
What email marketers say14Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Reddit shares that in their experience, a hostname change without an IP change doesn't require a full warm-up. However, they suggest keeping a close eye on open rates and bounce rates for the first few days after the change.
Marketer from Email Geeks shares that Full Circle (r)DNS has very mild benefits, with some niche ESPs insisting on it. It may be wise to voluntarily introduce the new setup with a quasi-warmup to be on the safe side.
Email marketer from Neil Patel Digital shares that changing your hostname without changing the IP address generally doesn't necessitate a full IP warm-up, but it is essential to monitor deliverability closely. Slight fluctuations may occur as filters adjust to the new hostname.
Email marketer from Litmus explains that even small changes like a hostname change can impact deliverability. Monitoring metrics and keeping subscribers informed of changes helps minimize disruption.
Marketer from Email Geeks says that if there isn't a pre-existing issue, the hostname change is not going to have an impact. You don't need to re-warm the IP.
Email marketer from Stack Overflow highlights the importance of correct reverse DNS records when changing hostnames. They explain this is key for email authentication. No IP re-warming is needed however, according to the discussion.
Email marketer from Mailjet suggests monitoring your sending reputation and deliverability metrics. While a full warm-up may not be needed, gradually increasing volume will help ensure your emails reach the inbox.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that since the IP is warm and stays, and the authenticated domain is warm and stays, not much is changing.
Email marketer from ActiveCampaign shares the advice that after infrastructure changes, gradually ramp up sending volume. Keeping a close eye on metrics is advised
Email marketer from EmailOnAcid recommends monitoring deliverability after a hostname change. While not explicitly recommending re-warming, they note changes can affect sender reputation, emphasizing a need for vigilance.
Marketer from Email Geeks explains that if you are only changing the hostname associated with the IP or the sending domain, you do not need to re-warm everything. Any change could cause a slight dip in deliverability. If changing the hostname, ensure the reverse DNS entry matches. The ESP should be able to assist here.
Email marketer from SendGrid Community Forum responds that if only the hostname is changed and the IP remains the same, a full warm-up isn't typically needed. However, it is recommended to gradually increase sending volume to ensure deliverability isn't impacted negatively.
Marketer from Email Geeks agrees with others and mentions that Full Circle rDNS can solve deliverability issues in Germany but may not be worth the effort otherwise.
Email marketer from Quora says monitoring metrics after changes can help catch changes in reputation. While not explicitly mentioning IP re-warming, they highlight the importance of checking if the new hostname affects deliverability.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise indicates a gradual ramp up of email volume following any infrastructure change, including hostname changes, is crucial. It is important to adjust sending volume slowly to help maintain a positive sending reputation.
Expert from Spam Resource emphasizes the importance of hostname alignment. He explains that if you are changing the hostname for alignment purposes, it may not require a full IP warm-up, but it's important to monitor your sending reputation.
Expert from Email Geeks feels like the hostname change is a non-issue. He suggests that the ESP staffer may feel the need to do something, and the user might want them to stop nagging about it.
What the documentation says3Technical articles
Documentation from RFC Editor explains about Domain Name System. It specifies that every IP address should have a matching PTR record (reverse DNS). This is important for hostname changes because the reverse DNS must be updated to reflect the new hostname.
Documentation from SparkPost emphasizes that any changes to sending infrastructure should be monitored closely. While not specifically addressing hostname changes, they recommend a gradual ramp-up of sending volume to avoid deliverability issues which may be good practice.
Documentation from Google explains that changes to your sending infrastructure, including hostname, can impact your sender reputation. While not explicitly stating re-warming is required, they advise monitoring Postmaster Tools for any adverse effects on deliverability and sender score.