What is the best approach to warm up a new domain after a rebrand while keeping the same IP address?

Summary

Warming up a new domain after a rebrand, while keeping the same IP, is a multi-faceted process centered around establishing a positive sender reputation with mailbox providers. Key steps include a gradual increase in sending volume, starting with engaged subscribers, communicating the rebrand to your audience, implementing email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and diligently monitoring deliverability metrics. Depending on the prior usage of the domain, the warmup can be abbreviated or as intensive as warming a new IP. Consistent engagement, clean list practices, and valuable content delivery are essential to avoiding spam filters and maintaining a healthy reputation.

Key findings

  • Gradual Volume Increase: A gradual ramp-up of email volume helps establish trust with ISPs.
  • Engaged Subscribers First: Starting with your most engaged subscribers improves initial metrics.
  • Communication is Crucial: Inform your audience about the rebrand and ask them to update their address books.
  • Authentication is Key: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are vital for verifying sender identity and preventing spoofing.
  • Monitoring Deliverability: Track bounce rates, spam complaints, and other metrics to identify and address issues.
  • Domain History Matters: A brand-new domain requires a more extensive warmup than a previously used one.
  • Content Quality: Providing valuable content is essential to avoid being marked as spam.
  • List Hygiene: Regularly cleaning your email list improves deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Domain Warmup Timeline: Plan for at least a month to fully warm up a new domain.
  • Subdomain Considerations: Warming a subdomain on an established domain can be faster.
  • Authentication Setup: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured.
  • Tooling: Consider using tools to automate the warmup process.
  • Reputation System Variance: Understand that reputation systems vary between mailbox providers.
  • Type of Emails: Consider starting with transactional emails then moving to marketing emails.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

Warming up a new domain after a rebrand while maintaining the same IP address requires a strategic approach focused on gradually building a positive sending reputation with mailbox providers (ISPs). Key elements include allowing the domain to 'exist' for a period before sending, communicating the rebrand to subscribers, starting with engaged recipients, and consistently monitoring deliverability metrics. Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and list hygiene are also crucial.

Key opinions

  • Gradual Volume Increase: Gradually increase email volume to establish a positive reputation with ISPs. Start with small batches to engaged users.
  • Communication is Key: Inform subscribers about the rebrand and encourage them to add the new domain to their address books.
  • Engagement Matters: Focus initial sending on highly engaged subscribers and gradually expand to less engaged ones.
  • Authentication is Essential: Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify your identity and improve deliverability.
  • Monitoring is Crucial: Continuously monitor sender reputation, bounce rates, spam complaints, and other deliverability metrics to adjust the warmup strategy.
  • Ramp Up Time: Expect at least one month for a ramp up, and potentially more, to fully warm a domain.

Key considerations

  • Domain Age: Consider letting the domain 'age' for 30-60 days before actively sending emails.
  • Segmentation: Segment your email list to target the most engaged subscribers during the initial warmup phase.
  • Email Content: Provide valuable and relevant content to avoid being marked as spam.
  • List Hygiene: Regularly clean your email list to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers.
  • Reputation Systems: Be aware that domain reputation is complex and can vary between different mailbox providers.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit suggests focusing on sending to highly engaged users first. He explains that you should start with a small percentage of your list and gradually increase it over several weeks. Monitoring your sender reputation and making adjustments as needed is critical.

November 2022 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum responds that when rebranding, notify your subscribers well in advance and give them the option to resubscribe if they wish. Continue to provide valuable content to avoid being marked as spam.

May 2021 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that warm-up is as slow/long for IPs as it is for domains. They suggest being hasty is a sure way to get into trouble.

May 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggests that it's all relative (and varies from on reputation system to another) and depends on the usual volumes and frequency before stopping sending, the expected volumes to be sent, at what frequency, and to which MBPs. But rules of thumb: after a month, it's cold and to plan at least one month for a ramp-up, and expect more.

December 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign Blog responds that domain reputation is critical for successful email delivery. They suggest warming up a new domain by sending consistent, low-volume emails to engaged subscribers. Using authentication methods like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is essential to verify your identity and improve deliverability. Regularly cleaning your email list to remove inactive subscribers helps maintain a good sender reputation.

June 2022 - ActiveCampaign Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SparkPost Blog shares that warming up a domain or IP address involves gradually increasing your sending volume to establish a reputation with mailbox providers. They suggest starting with transactional emails and then moving to marketing emails. Consistent sending and monitoring engagement metrics are crucial for a successful warmup.

December 2021 - SparkPost Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass Blog shares that warming up a new domain involves gradually increasing your sending volume to establish a good reputation with ISPs. They suggest using a tool to automatically schedule and send emails over a period of weeks, starting with a small number of emails and gradually increasing the volume.

March 2023 - Gmass Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailgun Blog explains that a domain warmup strategy involves gradually increasing sending volume to build a positive reputation with ISPs. They suggest starting with small batches of emails to engaged users and slowly increasing volume over time. Monitoring deliverability metrics like open rates and bounce rates is crucial to adjust the warmup strategy as needed.

May 2024 - Mailgun Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Woodpecker Blog shares that the main focus for email warmup is to set up correct authentication, engage with your target, personalize, be consistent, use low volume and allow your email to rest.

February 2024 - Woodpecker Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid Blog explains that domain warmup is essential for establishing a good sending reputation with mailbox providers. They suggest starting with a small segment of your most engaged subscribers and gradually increasing sending volume over time. Monitoring bounce rates and spam complaints is crucial to identify and address any deliverability issues.

January 2024 - Email on Acid Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that careful consideration should be taken when establishing a new domain, suggesting letting the domain 'exist' for 30-60 days or longer before starting the warmup process. They emphasise the importance of slow and steady volume increase to engaged recipients and advising the audience of the rebrand. They suggest warming a subdomain on an established root domain can be done more quickly.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps Blog explains that domain warmup is a process of gradually increasing your sending volume to build a positive sending reputation with ISPs. They suggest starting with your most engaged subscribers and sending them personalized emails. Monitoring your deliverability metrics and adjusting your sending strategy is crucial for success.

June 2021 - GlockApps Blog
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid Blog shares that during a rebrand, it's crucial to communicate the change to your subscribers and ask them to add your new domain to their address book. They recommend segmenting your list and sending to the most engaged subscribers first, gradually expanding to the less engaged ones. Monitoring sender reputation and addressing any deliverability issues promptly is key.

February 2024 - SendGrid Blog

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Warming up a new domain post-rebrand, while keeping the same IP, requires understanding the domain's prior use. A completely new domain necessitates an IP-like warmup. An existing domain allows an abbreviated warmup. Important factors are consistent engagement, clean email lists, and delivering valuable content to avoid spam flags. Domain reputation depends on subdomain, primary domain, and time-based trend lines (24-hour to 90-day reputations). Gradually increasing email volume to build positive reputation with mailbox providers helps demonstrate legitimacy.

Key opinions

  • New vs. Existing Domain: New domains require a full IP-like warmup, while existing domains can use an abbreviated approach.
  • Engagement & Content: Consistent engagement and providing valuable content are key to avoiding spam filters.
  • List Hygiene: Regularly pruning inactive subscribers is vital for safeguarding sender reputation.
  • Gradual Increase: Gradually increasing email volume establishes a positive reputation with mailbox providers.
  • Reputation Nuances: Domain reputation is not monolithic; subdomain, primary domain, and time-based trends all contribute.

Key considerations

  • Warmup Strategy: Tailor the warmup strategy to whether the domain is entirely new or previously used.
  • Content Quality: Ensure email content is engaging and provides value to recipients.
  • List Management: Implement a process for regularly removing inactive subscribers.
  • Reputation Tracking: Monitor reputation metrics at various levels (subdomain, domain, and over different timeframes).
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource shares that warming up an IP address means gradually increasing the volume of email sent from that IP over time, to establish a positive reputation with mailbox providers. A gradual increase demonstrates you are a legitimate sender.

May 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares if it's a new domain (never used before for email) then it's the same as the warmup for an IP. If it's a warm domain you're moving to, then you can do an abbreviated warmup, to give the Machine Learning filters a chance to learn that this IP / domain combo is legit and the previous domain reputation should apply.

July 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that it’s not that simple, because there’s the specific subdomain reputation, the primary domain reputation, and the 24 hour, 3 day, 7 day, 30 day and 90 day reputation to consider.

February 2024 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise highlights the importance of consistent engagement and clean list practices post-rebrand. They suggest focusing on delivering valuable content to maintain a positive reputation and avoid being flagged as spam. Regularly pruning inactive subscribers helps safeguard your sender reputation.

January 2022 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Warming up a new domain involves authenticating emails using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. SPF specifies authorized mail servers, preventing address forging. DKIM adds digital signatures to verify message integrity. DMARC protects against spoofing by instructing mailbox providers on handling unauthenticated emails. Google emphasizes low spam complaint rates, easy unsubscribe options, and gradually increased sending volume to build a positive reputation. Analyzing DMARC reports can help address deliverability issues.

Key findings

  • Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for email authentication and deliverability.
  • SPF Purpose: SPF records authorize which mail servers can send emails on behalf of your domain.
  • DKIM Purpose: DKIM adds a digital signature to verify message authenticity and integrity.
  • DMARC Purpose: DMARC helps protect against email spoofing and phishing attacks.
  • Google's Recommendations: Google recommends low spam complaint rates, easy unsubscribe, and gradual volume increase.

Key considerations

  • SPF Setup: Properly configure SPF records to authorize your sending servers.
  • DKIM Implementation: Implement DKIM to digitally sign your outgoing email messages.
  • DMARC Policy: Establish a DMARC policy to instruct mailbox providers on how to handle unauthenticated emails.
  • Spam Complaints: Actively monitor and address spam complaints to maintain a good reputation.
  • Unsubscribe Process: Provide an easy and accessible unsubscribe option for recipients.
Technical article

Documentation from DMARC.org explains that DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) helps protect your domain from email spoofing and phishing attacks. Implementing DMARC involves creating a DMARC record in your DNS zone and specifying a policy for how mailbox providers should handle emails that fail SPF and DKIM checks. Analyzing DMARC reports can help identify and address deliverability issues.

July 2023 - DMARC.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google Support explains that to ensure emails reach Gmail inboxes, bulk senders should authenticate their email with SPF and DKIM. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a low spam complaint rate and providing an easy unsubscribe option. Google also recommends gradually increasing sending volume to establish a positive sending reputation.

May 2022 - Google Support
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your email messages, which verifies that the message was sent by an authorized sender and hasn't been altered in transit. Implementing DKIM can improve email deliverability by reducing the risk of your emails being marked as spam.

June 2023 - Microsoft Support
Technical article

Documentation from RFC explains that SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. Setting up SPF properly can prevent spammers from forging your email address and improve email deliverability.

September 2021 - RFC