Does IP warming require consecutive days of sending or can it be gradual?

Summary

The overwhelming consensus is that IP warming does not necessitate sending emails on consecutive days. Experts, marketers, and documentation sources emphasize that consistency and a gradual increase in sending volume are the critical factors for establishing a positive sender reputation with ISPs. The warm-up schedule should ideally mirror the normal sending cadence of the sender to set appropriate expectations with mailbox providers. While daily sending can be effective, it is not mandatory, and avoiding large gaps in sending is important.

Key findings

  • Daily Sending Not Required: Sending emails on consecutive days is not a strict requirement for IP warming.
  • Consistency is Paramount: Maintaining consistent sending patterns is more important than daily frequency.
  • Gradual Volume Increase: A gradual and steady increase in email sending volume is essential for building a strong sender reputation.
  • Match Sending Cadence: Aligning the IP warming schedule with your regular sending frequency is recommended (weekly, monthly, etc.).

Key considerations

  • Avoid Long Gaps: Refrain from having long periods without sending any emails, particularly during the initial phase of warming.
  • Sending Pattern Alignment: Make sure the chosen IP warming pattern aligns with your normal email marketing strategies.
  • Predictability for ISPs: Establish predictable sending behavior to foster trust and a reliable reputation with ISPs.
  • Time & Volume Management: Be prepared to invest time in gradual volume management, taking time to establish a reputation with mailbox providers.

What email marketers say
16Marketer opinions

The consensus is that IP warming does not strictly require sending emails on consecutive days. While daily sending can be effective, the most crucial aspect is consistency and gradually increasing sending volume over time to establish a positive sender reputation with ISPs. Matching the warming schedule to your normal sending cadence (e.g., weekly or monthly) is generally recommended. Missing many consecutive days during the warm-up phase should be avoided.

Key opinions

  • Consistency over Frequency: Consistency in sending patterns is more important than sending emails every single day during IP warming.
  • Gradual Increase: A gradual increase in sending volume over time is essential for establishing a good sender reputation.
  • Match Normal Cadence: The IP warming schedule should align with your regular sending frequency (weekly, monthly, etc.) to set appropriate expectations with inbox providers.
  • Avoid Long Gaps: Avoid extended periods (e.g., 7 days) without sending any emails, especially during the initial weeks of the warm-up process.

Key considerations

  • Sending Pattern: Consider your regular sending pattern when designing your IP warming schedule. If you don't normally send emails daily, don't do so during the warm-up period.
  • Volume Progression: Carefully plan the progression of your sending volume. Start slow and gradually increase the number of emails you send each day/week.
  • ISP Expectations: Be mindful of the expectations you set with ISPs during the IP warming process. Your warm-up should mimic your typical sending behavior to avoid sending mixed signals.
  • Monthly Senders: For senders who typically send monthly, consider spreading out the monthly volume over a variety of days during the warm-up period before transitioning to the monthly cadence.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Postmark answers that when warming a new IP address, focus on steadily increasing the volume of emails you send. While sending daily is a common approach, it's more important to be consistent and gradually ramp up your sending over several weeks.

September 2022 - Postmark
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks echos the previous statements, saying you don't need to send every single day and aims for 2-3 days per week for casual senders. For those sending almost every day, they ramp from a few days to most days to mimic their planned sending cadence.

June 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that they had success with warming an IP by sending every other day, rather than daily, and achieved good deliverability.

June 2024 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks agrees with Matt, but considers warmups with no traffic for 7 days risky, especially in the first few weeks.

September 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Customer.io Blog shares that IP warming doesn't demand daily sending. The key is to progressively increase your volume, establishing a steady and reliable sending pattern over a defined period.

May 2024 - Customer.io Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid emphasizes the importance of consistent volume and frequency during IP warming. Sending doesn't necessarily have to be on consecutive days, but it should be predictable.

January 2025 - Email on Acid Blog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains you don't have to send every day, suggesting sending maybe three times a week and incrementing as per your warming plan to reach your target volume. He also provides a way to convert a daily warming plan into a weekly one.

October 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that IP warming consistency depends on mailing frequency. They have had success warming up "monthly senders" by spreading out a monthly newsletter volume over a variety of days and then once some reputation is established start to adjust to the monthly cadence ISPs can expect ongoing.

July 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet Blog explains that a gradual approach to IP warming is recommended, increasing sending volume over time. Sending consistently, but not necessarily daily, helps establish a positive sender reputation.

November 2021 - Mailjet Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid Blog shares that IP warming should involve a gradual increase in email volume, but doesn't explicitly state that it must be consecutive. The focus is on building a good reputation steadily.

June 2022 - SendGrid Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that while daily sending can be effective, it's not strictly necessary. A gradual increase over a few days a week, mirroring your typical sending pattern, can also work well.

July 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps Blog explains that consistency is important, but sending frequency should align with your regular sending habits. If you don't normally send daily, don't warm up that way.

December 2021 - GlockApps Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SMTP2GO answers that warming up an IP address is to build a good reputation with ISPs. The best approach is to start slow and gradually increase the number of emails sent daily, however it doesn't have to be daily.

August 2024 - SMTP2GO
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares his opinion that warmup is about training the inbox providers on what they can expect from you. If your normal send is weekly, but you warmup daily, that sends an inaccurate message.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks agrees that you don't have to send every single day, but advises against missing a lot of consecutive days.

December 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares his opinion that consistency is more important than frequency in IP warming and that daily sends aren't necessary.

July 2022 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts agree that IP warming doesn't require sending emails every day. The primary objective is to consistently build a positive sender reputation with mailbox providers through a gradual increase in sending volume over time. Establishing a predictable sending pattern, rather than daily sends, is key.

Key opinions

  • Daily Sending Not Required: IP warming does not necessitate sending emails every single day.
  • Consistency is Key: Maintaining a consistent sending volume over time is crucial for establishing a good sender reputation.
  • Gradual Build: A gradual increase in email volume is essential for the IP warming process.
  • Predictable Reputation: The goal of IP warming is to establish a predictable sending reputation with mailbox providers.

Key considerations

  • Time Investment: Be prepared to invest time in the IP warming process, as establishing a predictable reputation can take time.
  • Sending volume: Monitor sending volume so it is consistent over time.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise answers that you do not need to send every day. A gradual build to establish a reputation with mailbox providers is the goal, and that can be achieved without daily sending. The key is to be consistent with the volume you're sending over time.

May 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource answers that IP warming needs to be consistent but not necessairly every day. The goal of IP warming is to establish a predictable reputation, which may require more time to warm up, but its benefits are usually worth the time spent.

March 2021 - Spamresource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Email sending platform documentation confirms that IP warming does not require daily sending. The focus is on establishing a consistent and gradual sending pattern that aligns with your normal sending frequency to build a positive sender reputation. A gradual increase in volume over time is the recommended strategy.

Key findings

  • No Daily Requirement: Daily sending is not a mandatory aspect of IP warming.
  • Consistency is Key: Maintaining a consistent sending pattern is crucial.
  • Gradual Volume Increase: Gradually increasing sending volume over time is essential for building a good sender reputation.
  • Align with Normal Frequency: The IP warming schedule should align with your typical sending frequency.

Key considerations

  • Long-Term Strategy: Focus on establishing a long-term, sustainable sending reputation.
  • Reputation Building: The primary goal is to build a positive reputation with ISPs.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost Documentation explains that while daily sending isn't mandatory, consistency is key. They recommend establishing a sending pattern that aligns with your normal sending frequency after the warmup period.

February 2022 - SparkPost Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Amazon AWS answers that for new dedicated IP addresses, you should establish a reputation by gradually increasing your sending volume over several weeks. There is no need to send every day.

December 2024 - Amazon AWS
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft states a strategy of gradually increasing volume over time to establish a reputation is valid. It does not explicitly state daily consecutive sending is needed.

July 2021 - Microsoft Documentation
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools implies that a consistent sending pattern is beneficial, but doesn't specify that warming must be done on consecutive days. The emphasis is on establishing a regular sending cadence.

March 2023 - Google Postmaster Tools