Why do some IPs on SenderScore have different data ranges?
Summary
What email marketers say10Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Litmus explains that the Sender Score data varies due to the volume and types of emails being sent from the IP address. If the IP hits spam traps this would reduce the range. A clean list would increase the range.
Email marketer from Reddit suggests that the variations in Sender Score data ranges can be attributed to the fact that the scoring algorithm may not have sufficient historical data for all IPs. This is particularly true for newer IPs or those with inconsistent sending patterns.
Email marketer from Validity explains that variations in Sender Score data ranges arise from how data is aggregated over time. IPs might show different ranges because of varying levels of engagement and data accumulated, influencing the amount of historical data available.
Email marketer from Talos Intelligence shares that data ranges can differ due to an IP address's activity levels. IPs with consistent, high-volume sending might have extended data ranges, while those with sporadic or low activity may have shorter ranges due to insufficient data for reliable scoring.
Email marketer from Return Path Blog explains that Sender Score evaluates IP addresses and domains independently. It notes that different data ranges might exist because some IPs may have more email traffic history than others, or have been recently added, leading to shorter data collection periods.
Email marketer from SendGrid explains that if an IP Address is new or not warmed up correctly it may not have data associated with it. This would result in no data being tracked and a small range.
Email marketer from Mailjet shares that data ranges can differ due to an IP address's authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). IPs with correct and complete authentication might have extended data ranges, while those without authentication may have shorter ranges due to lack of confidence in the data.
Marketer from Email Geeks indicates that the issue with SenderScore displaying different data ranges for IPs might be a bug they thought had been resolved and that she has a support ticket in to get it resolved.
Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum notes that the ranges may differ because Sender Score accumulates data on a rolling basis. Some IPs simply haven't been active long enough or consistently enough to generate the same amount of data as others.
Email marketer from Quora responds that the difference can come from whether the IP is dedicated or shared. Dedicated IPs might have more consistent data ranges since they are used exclusively by one sender, while shared IPs might have more erratic ranges due to multiple senders.
What the experts say3Expert opinions
Expert from Email Geeks suggests SenderScore likely tracks different tiers of IPs differently, potentially prioritizing larger ESPs and ISPs for longer history tracking due to various factors, including sales opportunities and monitoring mail from big brands.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that the consistency and volume of email traffic originating from an IP greatly influences its SenderScore data range. IPs with established and steady traffic patterns have more reliable, longer data ranges compared to those with fluctuating or low traffic volumes.
Expert from Word to the Wise details that the length of time an IP address has been sending mail, how consistent its sending habits are, and its history of spam complaints are factors that can affect the SenderScore ranges. More active, higher traffic, or higher complaint levels affect SenderScore
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Google answers that IP reputation is influenced by factors like following best practices and avoiding spam. Data range differences might occur if an IP has a history of violating these guidelines, affecting the time needed to assess and establish a reliable reputation.
Documentation from Microsoft explains that IP reputation is based on factors like spam complaints and sending volume. The difference in ranges could result from the amount of time required for an IP to establish a reputation, heavily dependent on the type and frequency of email volume and user interaction.
Documentation from Cisco details that SenderBase (part of Sender Score calculations) considers factors like email volume, spam trap hits, and user complaints. Differing data ranges likely result from these factors varying significantly across IPs, affecting the time needed to establish a reliable reputation profile.
Documentation from SparkPost explains that Sender Score calculates reputation based on a rolling 30-day window of data. The ranges differ due to the amount of data that Return Path has available on a given IP address. Some IP addresses may be newer or have less traffic, resulting in less data and a shorter range.