How do I warm up a new IP address for transactional emails?

Summary

Warming up a new IP address for transactional emails involves a multi-faceted approach centered around gradually increasing sending volume while prioritizing engagement and carefully monitoring deliverability. The consensus emphasizes beginning with highly engaged subscribers, segmenting mailing lists based on engagement levels, and slowly increasing volume over weeks. Deliverability metrics like open rates, bounce rates, spam complaints, and sender reputation are key indicators to track and adjust the sending strategy accordingly. While some sources suggest starting with smaller volumes, others propose larger initial sends (50k+), highlighting the importance of well-managed setups and infrastructure elasticity. Ensuring high-quality lists, proper email authentication, valuable content, and consistently demonstrating legitimacy to ISPs are vital for a successful IP warm-up.

Key findings

  • Gradual Increase: Gradual increase in sending volume is crucial for establishing a positive sending reputation.
  • Engaged Subscribers: Prioritize sending to highly engaged subscribers initially.
  • Deliverability Metrics: Closely monitor deliverability metrics and adjust the strategy based on the results.
  • Segmentation: Segment mailing lists based on engagement levels to target the most responsive subscribers.
  • Adaptability: Be prepared to adapt based on individual situation and the metrics you are seeing.

Key considerations

  • List Quality: Ensure a high-quality email list and remove unengaged or inactive subscribers.
  • Authentication: Properly authenticate emails with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to improve deliverability.
  • Consistent Sending: Maintain a consistent sending schedule to build a positive sending reputation with ISPs.
  • Infrastructural Elasticity: Consider having extra IPs to handle potential volume bursts.
  • Monitoring Blacklists: Check the reputation of the IP address before sending.
  • Valuable Content: Only send valuable content that subscribers want.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

Warming up a new IP address for transactional emails involves gradually increasing the volume of emails sent to build a positive reputation with ISPs. This process typically starts with small batches sent to highly engaged subscribers, segmented by engagement level. It's crucial to monitor deliverability metrics like open rates, bounce rates, and spam complaints, adjusting the sending strategy based on these indicators. Initial daily send volumes vary, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands, depending on risk tolerance and infrastructure. Consistent delivery of valuable content and proactive management of any deliverability issues are essential.

Key opinions

  • Gradual Volume Increase: Slowly increase the number of emails sent from the new IP over time.
  • Engagement-Based Segmentation: Begin by sending emails to the most engaged subscribers to build a positive reputation.
  • Deliverability Monitoring: Closely track metrics like open rates, bounce rates, and spam complaints to identify and address any issues.
  • Variable Initial Volumes: Acceptable initial daily send volumes can range widely, requiring a tailored approach.

Key considerations

  • Engagement Quality: Prioritize sending to highly engaged users to signal positive sender reputation to ISPs.
  • Monitoring and Adjustment: Continuously monitor key metrics and be prepared to adjust sending volume and strategy as needed.
  • Infrastructure Elasticity: Consider having extra IPs available to handle potential volume bursts during the initial warm-up phase.
  • Content Quality: Ensure emails provide value and are wanted by recipients to avoid negative engagement signals.
  • Authentication: Ensure that your email is authenticated correctly.
  • Reputation Checks: Check the reputation of the IP before starting.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains you can gradually warm up the transactional IP by enabling triggered campaigns one by one, or in batches if needed based on how much volume they send, but may not be necessary if daily send volumes are low and gradual throughout the day.

August 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that for transactional emails, starting with a small volume and gradually increasing it over a few weeks is also important, even if it's transactional. The poster advises focusing on maintaining a low bounce rate and monitoring any complaints to quickly address any deliverability problems.

May 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks advises to be fairly calm adding 50k daily volume on a new dedicated IP and to start being more careful when the daily expected volume reaches 80k-100k.

August 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog explains that IP warming is the process of gradually increasing the volume of emails sent from a new IP address to build a positive reputation with ISPs. This involves starting with small batches of emails to engaged subscribers and gradually increasing the volume over time, while also monitoring deliverability metrics such as open rates, bounce rates, and spam complaints.

May 2023 - Neil Patel's Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Customer.io explains that the process of warming up an IP address is by starting with sending emails to only your most engaged users. This gives the new IP the best chance of showing mailbox providers that you send wanted mail. As you gain reputation, you can slowly increase the volume of emails sent from the IP.

March 2024 - Customer.io
Marketer view

Email marketer from GMass explains warming up an IP involves gradually increasing the volume of emails sent from it. This helps establish a good sender reputation with ISPs. Start small, monitor engagement and deliverability, and then increase the volume slowly. Don't send to cold or unengaged lists during this phase.

January 2024 - GMass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus emphasizes the importance of list segmentation during IP warm-up. By segmenting based on engagement (e.g., recent openers, clickers), you can focus your initial sends on the most responsive subscribers. This helps build a positive sender reputation quickly and avoids damaging your deliverability with less engaged contacts.

July 2021 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks advises should be fine w/ 5k or less per MBP/IP/day.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from WebHostingTalk Forum answers that its best to use smaller volumes initially (like sending to your own accounts first) and then slowly scale up over time. User42 emphasises checking the reputation of the IP before starting, and to monitor for blacklists.

May 2023 - WebHostingTalk Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that your IP warm-up strategy should include segmenting your mailing list by engagement, starting with highly engaged subscribers. It also involves slowly increasing the number of emails you send each day and monitoring your sending reputation to catch any deliverability issues.

July 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign explains that IP warming is all about building a positive reputation with ISPs. They advise that by consistently sending valuable content to engaged subscribers, you can demonstrate that you are a responsible sender. Monitoring sender reputation and promptly addressing any deliverability issues (e.g., high bounce rates, spam complaints) are crucial for a successful IP warm-up.

July 2022 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks states they have always started with 50k for their first send and ramped from there, closely monitoring performance.

November 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps explains that a typical IP warmup schedule might start with sending 500-1,000 emails on day one and doubling the volume every day or every other day. However, the exact schedule should be tailored to your specific circumstances and monitored closely for any negative impact on deliverability.

February 2022 - GlockApps

What the experts say
6Expert opinions

Warming up a new IP for transactional emails involves gradually increasing sending volume and meticulously monitoring reputation metrics. While some natural volume may suffice for warm-up, limiting volume, round-robin routing, or overflow to other IPs might be necessary. Starting with small volumes, ensuring high list quality, avoiding spam, and proper authentication are crucial. Large-scale launches are possible with careful planning, management, extra IPs for elasticity, and a focus on highly engaged users (like password resets). Monitoring ISP treatment is essential for adapting the warm-up strategy. Consistency and building a positive sender reputation are key factors for deliverability success.

Key opinions

  • Gradual Increase: Gradually increase sending volume to build reputation.
  • Monitor Reputation: Closely monitor reputation metrics and ISP treatment.
  • High Engagement: Target highly engaged users, like those requesting password resets, initially.
  • Scalable Launch: Large-scale launches are feasible with proper planning and infrastructure.

Key considerations

  • Volume Control: Be prepared to limit volume or route overflow to other IPs.
  • List Quality: Ensure a high-quality email list to avoid spam traps and low engagement.
  • Authentication: Properly authenticate your email to improve deliverability.
  • Elasticity: Consider having extra IPs to handle volume bursts.
  • Planning and Management: Large-scale launches require careful planning and management.
  • Consistency: Consistency in sending habits is key to building a solid sender reputation
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that launching a very large sender, 99% transactional email in basically one day can be done, however they did have to reach out to a few people and password reset and OTP emails have a very high engagement rate.

July 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advises that a well thought out, well managed setup, with extra IPs to give some elasticity to volume bursts during the initial days can send in the range of 50,000-500,000 on day one.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that you should start by sending small volumes of email. Then monitoring how ISPs treat you. Then gradually increase the volumes sent. Make sure the list you are sending to is high quality, you are not sending spam and make sure to authenticate your email correctly.

August 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks advises 1k-5k/day should be okay, maybe more, though the first days can be rougher. Refers to Matt V's experience of potentially larger sends going okay.

August 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that IP warming involves gradually increasing your sending volume while closely monitoring your reputation metrics. Starting with transactional emails to highly engaged users is a good approach. They emphasize that consistency and building a positive sender reputation are key factors for successful deliverability.

April 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares it's necessary to warm up new IPs, and it can be tricky. Sometimes the natural daily volume is low enough that it warms itself, otherwise volume may need limiting or round robin/flow overflow volume routed via another IP or shared IP.

March 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Warming up a new IP address for transactional emails requires a gradual approach, starting with your most engaged users and slowly increasing volume over several weeks. Monitoring deliverability metrics such as bounce rates, complaint rates, sender reputation, and engagement is essential. The goal is to establish a positive sending reputation and demonstrate to ISPs that you are a legitimate sender sending wanted mail. Adjust your strategy based on performance during each phase of the warm-up.

Key findings

  • Gradual Volume Increase: Slowly increase the volume of emails sent from the new IP over a period of weeks.
  • Engaged Users First: Begin by sending emails to your most engaged subscribers to establish a good reputation.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Monitor deliverability metrics throughout the warm-up process.
  • Reputation Building: The goal is to build a positive sending reputation with ISPs.

Key considerations

  • Deliverability Metrics: Carefully track bounce rates, complaint rates, and engagement metrics.
  • Sender Reputation: Monitor your sender reputation to identify and address any issues quickly.
  • Email Value: Ensure your emails provide value to recipients to encourage engagement.
  • Adjust Strategy: Be prepared to adjust your sending strategy based on the metrics.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that a gradual IP warm-up is essential for establishing a positive sending reputation. They recommend starting with your most engaged users and gradually increasing volume over several weeks, monitoring deliverability metrics closely. The key is to demonstrate to ISPs that you are a legitimate sender sending wanted mail.

July 2023 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Postmark shares even for transactional email, an IP warm-up process is important to establish a positive reputation. Start with smaller sends and gradually increase the volume, monitoring deliverability metrics closely. Focus on providing value and ensuring recipients want to receive your emails.

August 2021 - Postmark
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid outlines different phases of IP warm-up, recommending starting with low volume and gradually increasing it over several weeks. It explains the importance of monitoring sender reputation, spam complaint rates, and engagement metrics during each phase to adjust your sending strategy accordingly.

November 2023 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from Amazon SES states that a good IP warm-up strategy involves slowly increasing the volume of email you send, carefully monitoring your bounce and complaint rates. They advise starting with your most engaged subscribers, and only increasing send volume if your metrics remain healthy.

June 2023 - Amazon SES