How many dedicated IPs are needed for sending email volume?

Summary

Determining the number of dedicated IPs needed for sending email volume depends on a multitude of factors. These include sending volume, network infrastructure, available resources (dev ops, sysadmin, budget), desired control over sender reputation, and segmentation strategies. Shared IPs are generally suitable for low-volume senders (under 50,000 emails/month or even a few thousand), especially when budget is a concern, provided the ESP has a strong reputation. As sending volume surpasses 50,000 to 100,000 emails per month, dedicated IPs become increasingly beneficial for maintaining control and improving deliverability. Very high-volume senders (millions of emails/month) may distribute their traffic across multiple IPs to mitigate reputation risks. Regardless of the IP configuration, proper IP warming, regular reputation monitoring, robust authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and adherence to email best practices are paramount for optimal deliverability.

Key findings

  • Volume-Based Thresholds: Dedicated IPs are generally recommended for senders exceeding 50,000-100,000 emails per month, but specific thresholds vary.
  • Shared IPs for Low Volume: Shared IPs offered by reputable ESPs are often sufficient and cost-effective for low-volume senders.
  • High Volume Distribution: Large senders may benefit from distributing email traffic across multiple IPs to protect against reputation damage.
  • Control over Reputation: Dedicated IPs provide greater control over sender reputation.
  • Network Infrastructure Needs: Network engineering and load balancing are key considerations, especially for high-volume senders.
  • IP Warm-up: A gradual IP warm-up process is critical to establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs.

Key considerations

  • List Quality: High list quality is essential for successful IP warming and maintaining a positive reputation.
  • Segmentation Needs: Segmentation strategies may warrant different IPs for different email streams.
  • Available Resources: Assess resources for managing email delivery (dev ops, sysadmin, deliverability expertise, budget).
  • Monitoring: Regularly monitor IP reputation using tools like Google Postmaster Tools.
  • Authentication: Properly implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to build trust with ISPs.
  • ESP Reputation: When using shared IPs, select a reputable ESP with effective IP pool management.
  • ISPs Closing Connections: Take into account ISPs closing connections when configuring IP's

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Determining the number of dedicated IPs needed for sending email volume depends on several factors, primarily the volume itself, sending frequency, desired level of control over sender reputation, and segmentation needs. Shared IPs are generally suitable for low-volume senders (under 50,000 emails/month, or even a few thousand) and smaller businesses with limited budgets, provided the ESP has a good reputation. As sending volume increases (above 50,000-100,000 emails/month), dedicated IPs offer more control over sender reputation and can improve deliverability. Very high-volume senders (millions of emails/month) may benefit from spreading their volume across multiple dedicated IPs to mitigate the impact of reputation issues. Effective IP warming, good sending habits, and implementing email authentication protocols are crucial for maintaining a positive IP reputation, regardless of the number of IPs used.

Key opinions

  • Volume Thresholds: Different sources suggest varying volume thresholds for when dedicated IPs become necessary, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 emails per month.
  • Shared vs. Dedicated: Shared IPs are suitable for low-volume senders, while dedicated IPs offer better control for higher volumes.
  • Reputation Impact: Third party's reputation impacts you when using shared IP's. With dedicated, you have control.
  • Multiple IPs for High Volume: Spreading volume across multiple IPs can help mitigate reputation issues for very large senders.
  • High Volume Examples: One sender delivers 2.5M emails a day, 300M a month from 4 dedicated IPs
  • ESP Recommendations: ESP's can have different recommendations around volume per IP

Key considerations

  • Segmentation Needs: Consider segmentation needs; different IPs can isolate reputation issues for targeted campaigns.
  • Budget Constraints: Shared IPs are more cost-effective for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
  • ESP Reputation: When using shared IPs, ensure the ESP has a good reputation and actively manages their IP pools.
  • IP Warming: Properly warm up any new IP address by gradually increasing sending volume.
  • Sending Quality: Good sending habits and high-quality email content are crucial for maintaining a positive IP reputation.
  • Authentication: Implement email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to improve deliverability.
  • Monitoring: Regularly monitor your IP's reputation to ensure no bad reputation exists
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum shares that when sending large volumes (millions of emails per month), spreading the volume across multiple dedicated IPs can help mitigate the impact of reputation issues on any single IP.

April 2023 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests that for very low-volume senders (e.g., a few thousand emails per month), using a shared IP pool from a reputable ESP is usually sufficient and more cost-effective than managing a dedicated IP.

June 2023 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow explains that for smaller businesses with limited budgets, shared IPs provided by ESPs are often the most viable option. Ensure the ESP has a good reputation and actively manages their IP pools.

November 2024 - StackOverflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailBlog explains that IP addresses should be considered as a major part of your email marketing strategy. If you are thinking of using a third party for sending emails, that service's reputation can impact you.

June 2024 - EmailBlog
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that their clients' ESP recommends no more than 2.5 million emails per day per IP, and a minimum of 100,000 per month to keep the IP warm.

May 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that maintaining a good IP reputation is key for deliverability. For low volumes (less than 50,000 emails/month), shared IPs may be suitable, but higher volumes benefit from dedicated IPs to control reputation.

April 2023 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora explains that the number of dedicated IPs depends on sending frequency and segmentation needs. If sending highly targeted campaigns, using different IPs for various segments can isolate reputation issues.

June 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailProvider explains that warming your IP address, and creating good habits when sending emails will affect your IP reputation. To ensure a good reputation, emails should be sent regularly and be of high quality.

September 2022 - EmailProvider
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that their largest sender delivers 2.5M emails a day, 300M a month from 4 dedicated IPs without special issues, apart from French ISPs.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid suggests that if you're sending over 50,000 emails per month, a dedicated IP address is generally recommended. This allows for better control over sender reputation and deliverability.

February 2022 - SendGrid
Marketer view

Email marketer from ExpertSender shares that generally, if you're sending more than 100,000 emails per month, a dedicated IP address is advisable to ensure better control over your sender reputation.

May 2021 - ExpertSender

What the experts say
7Expert opinions

The number of dedicated IPs needed for sending email volume depends on several factors, including the specific sending volume, network engineering considerations, the resources available to the sender, and the desired level of control over sender reputation. While thresholds exist (e.g., 1MM per day mentioned, or even 20M/day/IP in some cases), specific setups should take into account network load balancing needs, available infrastructure, and the sender's capacity to manage their email program effectively. Dedicated IPs are preferred when the sender wants direct control over their reputation, while shared IPs expose the sender to others' actions. Monitoring IP reputation and gradually warming up new IPs are critical for success.

Key opinions

  • Volume Thresholds Vary: While a threshold of 1MM emails per day per IP is mentioned, successful deliveries at 20M/day/IP have been observed.
  • Network Engineering Matters: The need for load balancing and preventing recipient ISPs from closing connections influences IP decisions.
  • Resources Influence Decisions: The resources available for dev ops, sysadmin, delivery teams, and budget impact recommendations.
  • Control Over Reputation: A primary reason for dedicated IPs is to avoid the negative impact of shared IP reputation.
  • IP warming: Warming up a new IP gradually with a small volume of emails is essential.
  • Monitoring is crucial: Monitoring IP reputation regularly via tools like Google Postmaster Tools is essential.

Key considerations

  • Infrastructure: Consider available infrastructure, like /24 space availability.
  • Sender Resources: Assess the sender's resources for managing their email program effectively (dev ops, sysadmin).
  • List Quality: Account for list quality when determining warming volume.
  • Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring to check spam complaints.
  • Individual Needs: Client recommendations take into account individual resources and who the client is.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that recommendations for clients take into account resources, dev ops, sysadmin, delivery teams and cash, and who they are. Also explains sometimes they can get a little more detail around what is happening to their mail from google if they are big enough to get google on the phone.

April 2021 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that it is critical to monitor your IP reputation regularly. Use tools like Google Postmaster Tools to track spam complaints and delivery issues.

December 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks says the short answer is: network engineering, load balancing and ensuring the recipient ISPs don’t load shed by closing connections to my client.

May 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares experience with a client successfully delivering 20M / day / IP, but worked to reduce it to 2 million per IP, justifying it with /24 space availability.

December 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource explains that the volume for IP warming depends on several factors like list quality and email content. They suggest starting with a small volume of emails and gradually increasing it.

September 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that her current threshold for dedicated IPs is 1MM per day, but also mentions having a client delivering 100K / day / dedicated IP successfully.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that one of the primary reasons people switch to a dedicated IP is so that a third party's (or a shared service's) reputation doesn't impact them. They should be in control of their own sender reputation, especially with larger sending volumes.

September 2021 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Regardless of the number of dedicated IPs used for sending email volume, it's important to focus on building and maintaining a positive sender reputation. Key strategies include gradually warming up IPs with small sending volumes, actively monitoring bounce rates and spam complaints, implementing email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and adhering to best practices for subscriber list management and email content. By focusing on these foundational elements, senders can improve their deliverability regardless of whether they're using dedicated or shared IPs.

Key findings

  • IP Warm-up: Gradual IP warm-up is crucial, starting with small volumes and gradually increasing to avoid spam filters.
  • Reputation is Key: Maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for email deliverability.
  • Authentication Matters: Implementing SPF, DKIM, and DMARC improves email deliverability and trust.
  • Best Practices: Adhering to best practices for bulk emails, including subscriber lists and email content, prevents emails from going to spam.
  • ISP Feedback: Gradually increasing sending volume based on ISP feedback and monitoring is important.

Key considerations

  • Starting Volume: Start with a few hundred emails per day during IP warm-up.
  • Monitoring: Monitor bounce and complaint rates closely during IP warming.
  • Spam Rates: Actively monitor spam rates to maintain a positive reputation.
  • Bulk Email Practices: Follow best practices for subscriber lists and email content.
  • Authentication Setup: Ensure proper setup and validation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft suggests best practices for bulk emails involves authentication protocols, subscriber lists and email content. Following these guidelines can help keep emails out of junk folders.

August 2021 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains implementing proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) helps to improve email deliverability. This will help to establish trust with ISPs, regardless of dedicated or shared IP.

August 2024 - RFC-Editor
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost explains that a gradual IP warm-up is crucial, starting with small volumes and gradually increasing it. They suggest starting with a few hundred emails per day and gradually increasing to avoid spam filters.

February 2024 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools says that maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for email deliverability, regardless of the number of IPs used. Monitor spam rates and ensure proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).

March 2024 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from Amazon SES explains that during IP warming, gradually increase sending volume based on ISP feedback. Monitor bounce and complaint rates closely. They provide guidelines for daily sending limits to establish a positive reputation.

October 2024 - Amazon SES