Determining whether an email originates from a dedicated or shared IP without contacting the ESP involves a multi-faceted approach. First, extract the sending IP from the email headers (accessible via 'Show original' in Gmail or the 'Received' header). Then, conduct a reverse DNS lookup on the IP. A customer-specific domain suggests a dedicated IP, while a generic ESP name often indicates a shared IP. Analyze the sender's SPF and DKIM records: if the SPF includes the specific sending IP, it's likely dedicated; an ESP record hints at a shared IP. Utilize sender reputation tools (like Sender Score or Inbox Monster) to assess the IP's reputation and associated domains. Seed listing tools and inbox placement tests reveal the various IPs used. If trap hits from multiple domains appear, it may be a shared IP. However, bear in mind that many ESPs employ shared IP pools difficult to distinguish externally, and that you should also check the return-path email header and DNS records of the domain. Ultimately, external methods provide clues, but direct confirmation with the ESP remains the most reliable method.
11 marketer opinions
To determine if an email originates from a dedicated or shared IP address without contacting the ESP, email marketers employ various methods. Analyzing email headers to extract the sending IP is a common starting point. Tools like MXToolbox, WhatIsMyIPAddress, and online reverse DNS lookup services can then be used to investigate the IP. Examining SPF and DKIM records can reveal if the IP is associated with a generic ESP range (suggesting a shared IP) or a specific entry (indicating a dedicated IP). Sender reputation tools, such as senderscore.org and Inbox Monster, can provide insights into the IP's reputation and the number of domains using it. Performing inbox placement tests and analyzing the IPs from which the emails arrive can also help differentiate between shared and dedicated IPs. IP lookup tools and seed list testing are other ways of identifing them. Ultimately, it's a process of gathering clues from various sources to make an informed assessment.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Mailjet explains that you can check the SPF record of the sending domain. If the SPF record includes the ESP's general IP ranges, it's likely a shared IP. A dedicated IP might have a specific entry.
22 Nov 2022 - Mailjet
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that most seedlisting tools involve a large number of target mailboxes, and they will show in the report all the various IPs and their PTR records that the messages came from, and this can be used to identify if an IP is shared or dedicated.
12 Feb 2023 - Email Geeks
5 expert opinions
Determining if an email is sent from a dedicated or shared IP without contacting the ESP involves examining email headers, reverse DNS, and SPF records. Checking if the IP resolves to a generic ESP name (shared) or a customer-specific domain (dedicated) is crucial. If the sender's SPF record includes the sending IP, it suggests a dedicated IP; including the ESP record might indicate a shared IP. Reverse DNS that is customer-specific suggests dedicated IPs, but if not, it is uncertain. Ultimately, external determination can be difficult because many ESPs use shared IP pools indistinguishable from dedicated IPs from the outside, making direct inquiry to the ESP the most reliable method.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares that they asked an ESP if there was a way to tell their dedicated IPs from pools from the outside, and the ESP said no. If there is a customer-specific rDNS, that is dedicated, but if there's not, it's anyone's guess.
28 Sep 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource, John Levine, explains that you can check the IP information to see if the IP resolves to a generic ESP name (likely shared) or to a customer-specific domain (likely dedicated). He also mentions that reverse DNS (rDNS) should point to the sending domain for dedicated IPs.
28 Aug 2024 - Spam Resource
5 technical articles
Determining the origin of an email (dedicated or shared IP) involves extracting the IP address from the email headers (viewable via 'Show original' in Gmail or examining the 'Received' header) and then performing a reverse DNS lookup on that IP. The return-path email header can also be examined and the DNS records of the domain checked. If the resulting hostname includes the sender's domain, it's more likely a dedicated IP. Resources like DigitalOcean provide guidance on how to perform and interpret reverse DNS queries.
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost explains that you can perform a reverse DNS lookup on the IP address found in the email headers to determine if the IP is dedicated or shared. A dedicated IP will typically have a hostname that includes the sender's domain.
29 Jul 2021 - SparkPost
Technical article
Documentation from Microsoft shares to look for the 'Received' header which will reveal the IP that the email was sent from.
9 Mar 2022 - Microsoft.com
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