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How can I check if an email is sent from a dedicated or shared IP without contacting the ESP?

Summary

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.

Key findings

  • IP Extraction: The sending IP is found within the email headers.
  • Reverse DNS Clues: Customer-specific rDNS often suggests a dedicated IP, whereas generic ESP rDNS suggests shared.
  • SPF/DKIM Records as Indicators: SPF records including the sending IP indicate dedicated; including the ESP's range suggests shared.
  • Sender Reputation Analysis: Sender Score and similar tools reveal reputation and associated domains, assisting in identification.
  • Seedlist & Inbox Testing: Seed list testing and inbox placement tests show all sending IPs used.
  • Limits to External Analysis: Distinguishing dedicated vs. shared IPs externally can be challenging due to ESP configurations.

Key considerations

  • Reliability Concerns: External checks offer hints, but ESP confirmation remains the most reliable method.
  • Complexity of ESPs: ESPs commonly use shared IP pools difficult to differentiate from dedicated IPs.
  • Tool Combination: Combining multiple tools and techniques yields a more comprehensive assessment.
  • rDNS Nuances: Customer-specific rDNS offers better indication, yet any result needs further analysis.
  • Potential for False Positives: External analyses might lead to inaccurate determinations without ESP verification.
  • Return-Path Analysis: Don't forget to check return-path email headers and DNS records

What email marketers say

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.

Key opinions

  • Header Analysis: Email headers reveal the sending IP address, crucial for further investigation.
  • Reverse DNS: Reverse DNS lookups can indicate if an IP is dedicated (customer-specific domain) or shared (generic ESP name).
  • SPF/DKIM Records: Examining SPF/DKIM records can highlight the number of domains sending email from the IP, giving clues about whether it is shared or dedicated.
  • Sender Reputation: Sender score tools provide reputation data and associated domains, helping to identify shared IPs.
  • Inbox Placement: Inbox placement tests expose the sending IPs, allowing for comparisons and identification of shared pools.

Key considerations

  • Tool Variety: A combination of tools and techniques provides a more comprehensive assessment than relying on a single method.
  • Accuracy Limitations: External methods may not always be definitive, and ESPs may obfuscate IP configurations.
  • Dynamic IPs: Some ESPs use dynamic IP ranges, making identification challenging over time.
  • Reputation Impact: Shared IPs can impact sender reputation due to the actions of other users on the same IP.
  • Probing Methods: Be aware that extensive probing of IP addresses may violate terms of service or trigger security alerts.

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

What the experts say

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.

Key opinions

  • Header Analysis: Email headers provide the sending IP address.
  • Reverse DNS: Customer-specific reverse DNS often indicates a dedicated IP; generic reverse DNS may signify a shared IP.
  • SPF Record: If the sender's SPF record includes the sending IP, it's more likely dedicated; including the ESP's record could mean a shared IP.
  • External Limits: External methods often cannot definitively determine shared vs. dedicated IPs due to ESP configurations.

Key considerations

  • Reliability: External methods provide hints but aren't always accurate; confirming with the ESP is the most reliable approach.
  • Shared IP Pools: Many ESPs use shared IP pools that are difficult to distinguish from dedicated IPs externally.
  • Customer-Specific rDNS: If reverse DNS is customer-specific, it is more likely a dedicated IP; otherwise, the result is uncertain.
  • ESP Configurations: ESPs may intentionally obscure IP configurations, making external identification challenging.

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

What the documentation says

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.

Key findings

  • Header Extraction: Email headers contain the sending IP address.
  • Reverse DNS Lookup: Reverse DNS queries reveal the hostname associated with the IP address.
  • Hostname Interpretation: Dedicated IPs often have hostnames that include the sender's domain.
  • Return-Path Analysis: Checking return-path email header and DNS records of the domain

Key considerations

  • Header Location: The method for viewing email headers varies depending on the email provider (e.g., Gmail).
  • Reverse DNS Reliability: Reverse DNS results may not always be conclusive and can be configured differently by ESPs.
  • Shared IP Complexity: Shared IPs may not have a clear correlation between the hostname and the sending domain.
  • Technical Expertise: Performing reverse DNS queries and interpreting the results requires some technical knowledge.

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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