Using animated GIFs in IP warming emails is generally acceptable, while SVG usage is more complex and less consistently supported. Experts advise caution, emphasizing the importance of high engagement and preventing negative user experiences. Key considerations include email client support (GIFs have broader support, SVG is inconsistent), file size (keep small to avoid deliverability issues), ensuring content is relevant and expected by the audience, and providing a static fallback for clients that don't support animation. It's also crucial to balance image-based emails with text-based emails during the IP warming process and avoid overwhelming subscribers, focusing on building a positive sender reputation.
9 marketer opinions
Using animated GIFs in IP warming emails is generally considered acceptable, while SVG usage is more complex. Key considerations include email client support (GIFs have broader support, SVG is inconsistent), file size (keep small to avoid deliverability issues), content relevance to audience engagement, and the necessity of a static fallback for clients that don't support animation. Sending sufficient text-based emails in addition to images is also recommended during IP warming.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Campaign Monitor explains that GIFs can be effective for capturing attention in emails, especially for promotions, but advises against overuse to prevent overwhelming subscribers. No mention of SVG.
4 Feb 2022 - Campaign Monitor
Marketer view
Email marketer from HubSpot shares that GIFs can improve click-through rates but should be used sparingly. They also recommend optimizing GIFs for email by reducing the number of colors and keeping them short.
13 Aug 2021 - HubSpot
4 expert opinions
Experts generally agree that animated GIFs and SVGs *can* be used in IP warming, but with caution and careful planning. The primary concern revolves around ensuring a positive sender reputation, which requires high engagement and preventing negative user experiences. Key factors include MUA support, image preparation, file size, and relevance to the audience. Overdoing it, especially on a new system or with tight deadlines, introduces unnecessary risk.
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise responds images can be used in warm-up, but be judicious. Focus on building a positive sender reputation by sending wanted mail to real users who engage with your messages. Images can slow down this engagement if they are too large or unexpected.
30 Jun 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks advises considering MUA (Mail User Agent) support for the chosen animated format and how it will render in MUAs that don't support it. This is crucial during warmup to avoid issues.
31 Oct 2024 - Email Geeks
4 technical articles
The documentation indicates that animated GIFs are generally supported by major email clients like Gmail and Outlook, though Outlook may have rendering issues with complex animations. SVG support is less consistent and requires careful testing. While SVG is a widely supported web standard, email clients may not fully support it, and specific configurations might be necessary for it to work in Outlook. The W3C confirms SVG's animation capabilities but highlights that email client support isn't guaranteed.
Technical article
Documentation from MDN Web Docs explains that SVG is a widely supported vector image format in web browsers. However, its compatibility within email clients can vary, requiring thorough testing.
25 Sep 2024 - MDN Web Docs
Technical article
Documentation from W3C details the SVG specification, confirming its capability for animation. However, email client support is not guaranteed and requires specific implementation considerations.
9 Jun 2025 - W3C
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