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How many IP addresses should be used for an email marketing campaign of 50k emails?

Summary

For sending 50,000 emails, the consensus is that using a dedicated IP address is generally recommended for better control over sender reputation and deliverability. While one IP address can handle this volume, it's crucial to have a good sender reputation. Excessive IPs (e.g., 500) are considered snowshoe spam. If using a new IP, a gradual warm-up over weeks is essential, starting with small batches and increasing volume. Building and maintaining a positive IP reputation, monitoring volume and engagement, and adhering to authentication best practices are also key.

Key findings

  • Dedicated IP Recommended: A dedicated IP is generally recommended for sending 50,000 emails to have better control of sender reputation and deliverability.
  • Excessive IPs = Spam: Using an excessive number of IPs (e.g., 500) is considered snowshoe spam.
  • IP Warm-Up Essential: Gradual IP warm-up over weeks is essential when using a new IP address.
  • Reputation is Key: A good sender reputation is crucial for email deliverability.
  • Authentication Matters: Following authentication best practices greatly contributes to sender reputation.

Key considerations

  • Warm-Up Strategy: Develop and implement a gradual IP warm-up strategy for new IPs, starting with small batches and increasing volume over time.
  • Reputation Management: Actively manage and maintain a positive IP reputation.
  • Shared IP Risks: Consider the risks associated with shared IPs and the potential impact on your sender reputation.
  • Volume and Engagement: Monitor sending volume and engagement metrics to identify and address deliverability issues.
  • Authentication Practices: Implement authentication protocols to protect your sender reputation.

What email marketers say

11 marketer opinions

For sending 50,000 emails, experts generally recommend using a dedicated IP address to have more control over sender reputation. However, shared IPs can be suitable for smaller volumes. Regardless of the choice, warming up the IP address gradually is crucial for establishing a positive sender reputation and improving email deliverability. Maintaining a healthy IP reputation and considering the risks of shared IPs are also key.

Key opinions

  • Dedicated IP Recommended: A dedicated IP address is generally recommended for sending 50,000 emails to have more control over sender reputation.
  • Shared IP Option: Shared IPs can be suitable for smaller email volumes, but come with reputation risks.
  • IP Warming is Essential: Warming up the IP address gradually is crucial for establishing a positive sender reputation and improving email deliverability.
  • Reputation Matters: Maintaining a healthy IP reputation is essential for good deliverability.

Key considerations

  • Shared IP Risks: Carefully consider the risks of using shared IPs, as your reputation can be affected by other users.
  • Gradual Warm-Up: Gradually warm up the IP address by initially sending to your most engaged contacts and slowly increasing volume.
  • Reputation Management: If using dedicated IPs, you are responsible for managing and maintaining the IP's reputation.
  • Volume: 50,000 emails is a large enough volume that its worth considering a dedicated IP and warming up. Otherwise one IP address should be sufficient if there is an existing good reputation

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks states that sending 50k/campaign is tiny, if sending from 500 IP addresses.

6 Dec 2022 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from GlockApps highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy IP address reputation. If you are using dedicated IPs you will be responsible for this.

18 Aug 2022 - GlockApps

What the experts say

3 expert opinions

Experts agree that the number of IP addresses used for sending 50k emails depends on the reputation of the IP(s). Using an excessive number of IPs (e.g., 500) for this volume is considered snowshoe spam. It's crucial to use IPs with good reputations or, if using new IPs, to warm them up gradually over weeks, carefully monitoring volume and engagement.

Key opinions

  • Excessive IPs = Spam: Using an excessive number of IPs (e.g., 500) for 50k emails is indicative of snowshoe spam.
  • Reputation is Key: IP address reputation is crucial for email deliverability.
  • Warm-Up Required: New IPs require a gradual warm-up period of weeks before sending high volumes.
  • Volume Monitoring: Carefully monitor volume and engagement, especially when using new IPs or IPs with low reputation.

Key considerations

  • Avoid Snowshoe Spam: Do not use an excessive number of IPs, as it can negatively impact your sender reputation and deliverability.
  • IP Selection: Prioritize using IPs with established good reputations.
  • Warm-Up Strategy: Develop a gradual IP warm-up strategy if using new IPs.
  • Engagement Impact: Low IP reputation can impact engagement rates; start with low volumes in such cases.

Expert view

Expert from Spamresource explains that IP addresses gain reputation over time and that you should use IP addresses with good reputations. They recommend that if you are using new IPs you should be prepared to spend weeks warming the IP before sending high volume.

20 Sep 2023 - Spamresource

Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks explains that using 500 IPs to send 50K messages is basically the definition of snow shoe spam.

10 Nov 2021 - Email Geeks

What the documentation says

4 technical articles

The documentation suggests using a dedicated IP, or a pool of dedicated IPs, for sending 50,000 emails, with the specific choice depending on sending frequency, reputation management strategy, and pre-existing IP reputation. It is important to ensure that the IP address does not have a low reputation. A warm-up schedule is essential for new IPs, involving starting with small batches and gradually increasing volume over a couple of weeks. Building and maintaining a good sender reputation by using a dedicated IP and following authentication best practices is also critical.

Key findings

  • Dedicated IP Recommended: Using a dedicated IP (or pool) is recommended for sending 50,000 emails.
  • Warm-Up Schedule Crucial: A warm-up schedule is crucial for new IPs, starting with small batches and gradually increasing volume.
  • Reputation Matters: Building and maintaining a good sender reputation is essential for deliverability.
  • Authentication: Following authentication best practices is crucial for good sender reputation and deliverability

Key considerations

  • Sending Frequency: Consider sending frequency when deciding between a single dedicated IP and a pool of IPs.
  • Reputation Management: Have a reputation management strategy in place.
  • Warm-Up Implementation: Implement a warm-up schedule when using a new IP address.
  • Authentication Practices: Adhere to authentication best practices to improve sender reputation.

Technical article

Documentation from AWS SES states that for sending 50k emails, you'd likely want to consider using a dedicated IP or a pool of dedicated IPs, depending on your sending frequency and reputation management strategy. It also depends on the reputation of the sending IPs.

7 Jul 2021 - AWS SES

Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost suggests a warm-up schedule. For a new IP address, they advise starting with small batches (e.g., 500-1,000 emails) and gradually increasing volume daily. For 50k emails, this might involve scaling up over a couple of weeks.

2 Jul 2022 - SparkPost

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