When should I use a dedicated IP for multiple brands?

Summary

Experts and marketers agree that using a dedicated IP for multiple brands is advantageous when sending high volumes of emails, typically starting around 5,000 emails per day or 50,000 emails per month and scaling upwards to 200,000+ emails per month. This provides greater control over sender reputation and deliverability. However, it necessitates a strong commitment to IP warming, subdomain reputation management, and proactive monitoring for blacklists and abuse complaints. It's particularly beneficial when organizations have limited control over the email practices of different divisions, or require strict compliance adherence.

Key findings

  • Volume Threshold: Dedicated IPs are recommended for high-volume senders, generally above 5,000 emails/day or 50,000 emails/month.
  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs provide granular control over sender reputation, improving deliverability and isolating issues.
  • Compliance Benefits: They are beneficial for companies needing to adhere to strict compliance requirements.
  • Mail Practices: Useful if you want your own IP space and cannot control the practices and content of other mailers.

Key considerations

  • IP Warming: Proper IP warming is crucial to establish a positive sending reputation.
  • Subdomain Reputation: Establish a good reputation for each brand's subdomain.
  • Reputation Management: Active monitoring of blacklists and handling abuse complaints are essential.
  • Resource Commitment: Managing a dedicated IP requires technical expertise and resources.
  • Authentication: Emails must be authenticated using SPF and DKIM.
  • DKIM Signing: One IP for all brands should DKIM sign each domain.

What email marketers say
8Marketer opinions

Using a dedicated IP for multiple brands is recommended when sending high volumes of emails (5,000 to 50,000+ per month) as it provides greater control over sender reputation and deliverability. Proper IP warming and subdomain reputation management are essential, as is the ability to comply with sending requirements. A dedicated IP can isolate reputation and compliance issues to a single IP, however, so that you are not sharing a reputation with other senders.

Key opinions

  • Volume Threshold: Dedicated IPs are best suited for senders with high email volumes (5,000 - 50,000+ emails per month).
  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs offer greater control over sender reputation, allowing for proactive management of deliverability.
  • Shared Environment Avoidance: A dedicated IP mitigates the risk of deliverability being affected by the sending practices of other users on a shared IP.
  • Cost Effectiveness: While there are costs to manage a dedicated IP, it is often more cost effective than a shared environment. They are beneficial when you want to control email reputation separate from other senders

Key considerations

  • IP Warming: Properly warming up the IP address is crucial to establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs.
  • Subdomain Management: Establishing and maintaining a reputation for each brand's subdomain is necessary for optimal deliverability.
  • Compliance: Companies that need to adhere to specific compliance requirements may find a dedicated IP advantageous.
  • Control: Dedicated IP provides greater control over what’s being sent from it, so that you don’t negatively affect your domain.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailExpert shares that when using a dedicated IP for multiple brands, it's crucial to properly warm up the IP address. This involves gradually increasing sending volume over time to establish a positive sending reputation with ISPs. They also recommend segmenting brands by IP if possible.

June 2021 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from StackExchange explains that a dedicated IP will improve email deliverability and sender reputation when you send high volumes of emails. This means you have greater control over what’s being sent from it, so that you don’t negatively affect your domain.

March 2022 - StackExchange
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum answers that high volume senders (over 50,000 emails per month) should consider a dedicated IP address. This is because they offer greater control over sender reputation and deliverability.

July 2022 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet explains that using a dedicated IP provides more control over sender reputation, leading to improved deliverability. It's beneficial for senders with a high volume of emails and allows for greater flexibility in managing email practices.

October 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains you need to warm up the IP and establish a reputation for each of the brand's subdomains. Recommends a dedicated IP for 14 brands as you control who you are sharing the IP with.

February 2025 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid responds that a dedicated IP is cost-effective when sending a high volume of emails, as it provides more control over deliverability and reduces the risk of being affected by the sending practices of other users on a shared IP. This means it reduces the risk of hitting spam filters or other sending limits.

December 2023 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus explains that it’s best to get a dedicated IP when sending high volumes of emails. If you want to manage your own reputation, a dedicated IP gives you control over this. They go on to add that they are beneficial when you want to control email reputation separate from other senders.

December 2022 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass indicates that dedicated IPs are for senders who require full control over their sending reputation. This is also beneficial for companies that want to adhere to specific compliance requirements. They recommend using it if sending 5,000 emails a day.

May 2021 - Gmass

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Experts recommend using a dedicated IP for multiple brands, particularly when sending a high volume of emails (around 200k/month). This provides control over reputation and allows for isolating deliverability issues. However, it's crucial to have the expertise and resources to manage the IP's reputation, including monitoring blacklists and handling complaints. If internal mail practices are variable or hard to control, dedicated IPs make sense.

Key opinions

  • High Volume Justification: A dedicated IP is typically the best option when sending a high volume of emails (e.g., 200k/month).
  • Reputation Isolation: Dedicated IPs allow for isolating and addressing deliverability issues specific to your mail.
  • Control and Independence: Using a dedicated IP provides greater control and independence from other mailers, particularly important when internal practices vary.

Key considerations

  • Resource Requirements: Managing a dedicated IP requires the technical expertise and resources to monitor its reputation, including blacklists and abuse complaints.
  • Internal Control: A dedicated IP is beneficial when you want to avoid being affected by the practices and content of other mailers within your organization.
  • DKIM Signing: One IP for all brands should DKIM sign each domain.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks suggests that at 200k/month, a dedicated IP is likely the best path unless there are unusual circumstances.

October 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource, Steve Linford, explains that when considering a dedicated IP, it is crucial to understand the responsibilities involved in maintaining its reputation. Before switching to a dedicated IP, ensure that you have the technical expertise and resources to manage the IP's reputation effectively, including monitoring blacklists and handling abuse complaints. If you don't have the resources it is worth using a shared IP address.

April 2021 - Spam Resource
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, shares that you want your own IP space if you want to send more mail and not be affected by other mailers in your organization, or if you can't control practices and content of other mailers. This usually happens in companies with different divisions or marketing departments. You can have your own space and still have your mail managed by one vendor.

October 2023 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that if the price is the same, a dedicated IP is preferable as it allows you to isolate and address deliverability issues related to your mail. Suggests using one IP for all brands and DKIM signing each domain. Notes dedicated IPs can be 40k a day.

August 2022 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Technical documentation consistently highlights the use of dedicated IPs for high-volume email senders (5,000 emails/day or 50,000 emails/month). They offer increased control over sender reputation. However, using a dedicated IP necessitates careful monitoring, maintenance, and compliance with email best practices (including SPF and DKIM) to avoid being blacklisted.

Key findings

  • Volume Threshold: Dedicated IPs are recommended for consistently high email volumes (5,000 emails/day or 50,000 emails/month).
  • Reputation Control: Dedicated IPs provide greater control over the sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Reputation Management: Senders are responsible for actively monitoring and maintaining their sender reputation.
  • Compliance: Email practices must comply with best practices to avoid blacklisting.
  • Authentication: Emails must be authenticated using SPF and DKIM.
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid indicates that dedicated IPs are suitable for senders who consistently send a large volume of emails (typically over 50,000 emails per month). It also notes dedicated IPs are beneficial when requiring greater control over the sender reputation.

September 2021 - SendGrid
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost emphasizes that using a dedicated IP requires careful monitoring and maintenance of sender reputation. It explains that senders are responsible for ensuring their email practices comply with best practices to avoid being blacklisted.

July 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from Google explains that a dedicated IP is preferred if you send a high volume of emails (5,000 emails a day). Sending consistent emails helps build a positive reputation over time. They also say to make sure emails are authenticated using SPF and DKIM.

June 2023 - Google