What is the impact of increasing or decreasing email volume on IP reputation and deliverability?
Summary
What email marketers say9Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that maintaining a consistent sending volume helps build a positive sender reputation and avoid triggering spam filters. Sudden spikes or drops can negatively impact deliverability.
Email marketer from Reddit says that significant changes (increases or decreases) in volume without corresponding engagement metrics can signal to mailbox providers that something is amiss. This can impact IP reputation negatively. They recommend monitoring engagement metrics closely.
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that patterns are important, so consistent ups and downs may not be an issue if it aligns with typical activity. Sudden volume increases may cause scrutiny. Provider tolerance for change varies, with Gmail having more flexibility than Microsoft.
Email marketer from Email Vendor Selection explains that fluctuations in volume directly impact reputation. Too much volume too soon will likely lead to deliverability issues. Gradual increase over time is recommended.
Email marketer from SendPulse shares that gradually increasing email volume, especially during the initial stages of a new IP address, is crucial for establishing a good sender reputation. This approach allows mailbox providers to recognize and trust the sender over time.
Email marketer from StackOverflow user states a sudden spike in email volume can trigger spam filters and negatively impact deliverability. Consistent volume helps build trust with ISPs and improve sender reputation.
Email marketer from Litmus explains that the quality of your email list and engagement metrics are crucial. Sudden increases in volume without a corresponding increase in engagement could hurt your reputation. Also decreases in volume should be considered as it suggests your data isn't accurate.
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that Microsoft is very strict about consistent volume and will limit sending until a certain threshold is met.
Email marketer from GlockApps explains that sudden spikes or drops in email volume can trigger spam filters and negatively impact deliverability. Consistent volume helps build trust with ISPs and improve sender reputation.
What the experts say6Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks mentions that after 30 days of reduced volume, reputation starts to fade.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that consistency is essential; large unexpected volume increases or decreases compared to previous patterns can negatively affect your sending reputation and deliverability.
Expert from Email Geeks explains that changing volume doesn’t directly impact reputation, but massive spikes can affect deliverability. Some clients can double volume during warmup, particularly in later stages.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests that during warming, clients should not more than double their daily volume week-by-week, which translates to approximately a 10% increase per day for daily senders.
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that when launching a new IP or email program, gradually increasing sending volume over time, referred to as 'warming up' the IP, allows mailbox providers to learn your sending patterns and build trust, which is crucial for positive deliverability.
Expert from Email Geeks says that dropping volume is less of an issue, but advises caution when increasing it again. Avoid immediately returning to the previous volume.
What the documentation says5Technical articles
Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that consistent sending patterns, including volume, are key factors in establishing and maintaining a positive sender reputation. Unexpected changes in volume can negatively affect deliverability to Gmail users.
Documentation from AWS explains the daily sending quotas, and it's best to warm up slowly, so that your sending rate and sending quota gradually increase over time. The warm-up period helps you establish a reputation as a legitimate sender with ISPs.
Documentation from RFC Editor explains that there are many factors that can impact deliverability of email, consistent volume is an important factor that should be considered and planned.
Documentation from Microsoft states that adhering to sending limits and maintaining consistent sending volume are essential for ensuring email deliverability to Outlook.com and other Microsoft-owned domains. Sudden increases can result in temporary blocks or throttling.
Documentation from SparkPost explains that a well-planned IP warming strategy, which includes gradually increasing email volume, is crucial for establishing a solid sender reputation and avoiding deliverability issues. Rapid increases can be interpreted as spamming behavior.