Should I use a shared or dedicated IP for email sending?

Summary

The consensus from marketers, experts, and documentation sources is that the choice between a shared and dedicated IP for email sending hinges primarily on sending volume and consistency. Dedicated IPs offer greater control over sender reputation and are recommended for high-volume senders (generally above 50,000 emails per month or large contact lists) with consistent sending habits. These IPs require careful management, monitoring, and a warm-up process. They also offer benefits like sender certification and enhanced security through allowlisting. Shared IPs are more suitable for low-volume senders, those just starting out, or when consistent sending patterns are challenging to maintain, benefiting from an established IP reputation. However, your reputation is then influenced by other senders. Regardless of the IP type, maintaining good sender reputation and deliverability necessitates adhering to best practices such as email authentication, list cleaning, and minimizing bounce rates.

Key findings

  • Volume is Key: A high email sending volume is the primary factor favoring a dedicated IP, typically 50,000+ emails per month.
  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs grant greater control over sender reputation but demand active management.
  • Consistency Matters: Consistent sending habits are crucial for maintaining a positive reputation with a dedicated IP.
  • Shared IP Benefit: Shared IPs offer an easier starting point for low-volume senders by leveraging an existing reputation.
  • Best Practices Essential: Good sending practices like authentication and list hygiene are vital for deliverability regardless of IP type.
  • Warm-Up is Required: Warming up a dedicated IP is required before mass sending to preserve deliverability.
  • Security Benefits: Dedicated IPs can facilitate security requirements like allowlisting.

Key considerations

  • Assess Volume: Accurately determine your monthly email volume and compare it to the suggested thresholds for dedicated IPs.
  • Evaluate Consistency: Honestly assess your ability to maintain consistent sending patterns over time.
  • Reputation Management Capacity: Determine whether you have the resources and expertise to actively manage your sender reputation.
  • Security Needs: Determine if there is a need to allowlist your IP for security requirements.
  • Warm-Up Commitment: Be prepared to invest the time and effort needed to properly warm up a new dedicated IP.
  • List Hygiene: Maintain an up-to-date email list, and remove any bad or old emails.
  • Email Authentication: Properly set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to allow your emails to be authenticated.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

The decision to use a shared or dedicated IP address for email sending depends on several factors, primarily sending volume, frequency, and the level of control desired over sender reputation. Dedicated IPs offer greater control and are suitable for high-volume senders (often cited as 50,000+ emails per month or large contact lists) with consistent sending habits, especially when security or sender certification is a concern. They require careful monitoring and warming up to maintain a good reputation. Shared IPs are recommended for lower-volume senders, those just starting out, or when consistent sending patterns are difficult to maintain, as they benefit from the IP's existing reputation. However, reputation is then influenced by other senders using the same IP. Regular sending is crucial for dedicated IPs, and factors like authentication, list cleaning, and warm-up processes contribute to overall deliverability regardless of the IP type.

Key opinions

  • Volume Threshold: Dedicated IPs are generally recommended for senders exceeding 50,000 emails per month.
  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs offer greater control over sender reputation but require active management and monitoring.
  • Regularity Matters: Consistent sending habits are crucial for maintaining a positive reputation with a dedicated IP.
  • Shared IP Benefits: Shared IPs are suitable for low-volume senders, benefiting from an existing warmed-up reputation.
  • Security: Dedicated IPs provide enhanced security through allowlisting.

Key considerations

  • Sending Volume: Assess your monthly email volume to determine if you meet the threshold for a dedicated IP.
  • Sending Frequency: Consider your sending consistency; regular sending is vital for dedicated IPs.
  • Reputation Management: Evaluate your ability to actively manage and monitor your sender reputation with a dedicated IP.
  • Security Requirements: Determine if your operations require the specific security benefits of a dedicated IP, such as allowlisting.
  • Warm-Up Process: Understand the warm-up process required for a new dedicated IP to avoid deliverability issues.
  • Sender Certification: Consider the ability to get sender certification with a dedicated IP address.
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailToolTester answers explains that you need 50,000 emails a month to make a dedicated IP worth it.

March 2024 - EmailToolTester
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that with a shared IP, your email reputation is tied to other senders on the same IP. They suggest dedicated IPs provide greater control over reputation, but require consistent sending habits and volume.

December 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that maintaining a dedicated IP requires regularity and volume to maintain good reputation and low bounces. They recommend shared IPs unless a whitelist is necessary.

November 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares two things about dedicated IPs: dedicated IPs make it easier for high-security operations requiring IP allowlisting, and dedicated IPs offer some protection to and from other senders.

March 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit responds that a dedicated IP is usually better for high-volume sending because it allows more control over your sending reputation. If you don't send a lot of emails, you don't need it.

June 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from EmailOctopus recommends dedicated IPs for senders with over 50,000 emails per month. They mention it gives you full control over your sender reputation, but requires careful monitoring.

August 2024 - EmailOctopus
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign states that dedicated IP addresses are better for bigger lists (more than 50,000 contacts) or sending frequency (more than once per week).

April 2022 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass says you can improve your sending reputation by authenticating your emails, cleaning your email list, and warming up your IP. All of these contribute to your email deliverability.

November 2022 - Gmass
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit explains that If you're sending promotional emails and have a high volume and frequency, dedicated IP addresses are better. But for low volume sending, shared IP addresses are better, because they are warmed up.

April 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that regular sending is more important than volume for dedicated IPs. They also share how dedicated IPs allow for sender certification while shared IPs make your reputation subject to the worst senders on the IP.

June 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum says that if you are just starting out then shared IPs is better but if you are sending out a lot of emails a dedicated one would be better.

July 2023 - Email Marketing Forum

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts agree that dedicated IP addresses offer greater control over sender reputation and are essential for senders with sufficient volume. However, without adequate volume, a dedicated IP can negatively impact reputation. Warming up the IP is also critical to avoid deliverability issues.

Key opinions

  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs provide greater control over sender reputation.
  • Volume is Key: Sufficient sending volume is crucial for maintaining a good reputation with a dedicated IP.
  • Potential Damage: Without adequate volume, a dedicated IP can damage sender reputation.
  • Warm-Up Required: Warming up a dedicated IP is essential for avoiding deliverability problems.

Key considerations

  • Assess Volume: Evaluate your sending volume to determine if it justifies a dedicated IP.
  • Reputation Management: Are you prepared to actively manage your sender reputation?
  • Warm-Up Process: Are you prepared to warm up a new dedicated IP address?
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that dedicated IP addresses are worth the extra money. This is because you have greater control over your reputation. However, you need to warm up your IP address to prevent deliverability problems.

June 2022 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Spamresource recommends that if you have the volume, then a dedicated IP address is essential. If you don't have the volume, then you can damage your reputation.

May 2021 - Spamresource

What the documentation says
6Technical articles

Email sending infrastructure documentation consistently recommends dedicated IPs for high-volume senders (50,000+ emails/month) with consistent sending habits who want control over their sender reputation. These sources emphasize the necessity of careful monitoring, warming up the IP, and adhering to best practices to avoid deliverability issues. Shared IPs are presented as suitable for lower volumes and those just starting out, leveraging the IP's existing reputation. Maintaining good IP reputation, regardless of shared or dedicated, requires best practices like authentication, list management, and low bounce rates.

Key findings

  • Volume Threshold: Dedicated IPs are best suited for high-volume senders, often citing a threshold of 50,000+ emails/month.
  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs offer direct management of sender reputation.
  • Consistency is Key: Consistent sending habits are critical for maintaining a good reputation on a dedicated IP.
  • Shared IP Suitability: Shared IPs are suitable for lower volumes and beginners, benefiting from existing reputation.
  • Best Practices Essential: Good sending practices (authentication, list hygiene, low bounce rates) are essential for deliverability, regardless of IP type.
  • Warm-Up Process: Warming up the IP is crucial to make sure your email isn't flagged as spam.

Key considerations

  • Assess Sending Volume: Determine if your monthly sending volume meets the recommended threshold for a dedicated IP.
  • Evaluate Sending Consistency: Assess your ability to maintain consistent sending patterns.
  • Consider Reputation Management: Are you prepared to actively manage your sender reputation?
  • Implement Best Practices: Ensure you are implementing email authentication, list cleaning, and other best practices.
  • Warm-Up Process: Prepare a new dedicated IP address with a warm up process.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost suggests that dedicated IPs require consistent volume and careful monitoring to maintain a good sender reputation. They emphasize that warming up the IP is crucial for success.

February 2022 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Google Workspace explains that IP reputation affects email delivery. They recommend monitoring your IP's reputation and following best practices, irrespective of using a shared or dedicated IP.

March 2022 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft says you can improve your sender reputation by being authenticated, keeping your email lists updated, and keeping your bounce rates low.

June 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Postmark explains that dedicated IPs are best for senders with high volume (over 50,000 emails/month) and consistent sending habits. Shared IPs are suitable for lower volumes and those just starting out, allowing senders to benefit from the IP's existing reputation.

February 2022 - Postmark
Technical article

Documentation from Amazon SES indicates that dedicated IPs allow you to manage your sender reputation directly. They stress the importance of consistent sending volume and adhering to best practices to avoid deliverability issues.

December 2024 - Amazon SES
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid emphasizes that dedicated IPs are beneficial for senders who want to control their reputation and sending practices. It requires consistent volume to maintain a positive reputation and avoid deliverability issues.

September 2023 - SendGrid