Summary
The answers present a wide range of opinions and data points. While some users have had success with dedicated IPs at volumes as low as a few thousand emails per day or around 20,000 per month, the general consensus leans toward higher volumes being necessary to maintain a good sender reputation and justify the cost and effort. Most sources suggest a minimum of 50,000 emails per month, with several recommending 50,000 per week or even 100,000 per week. Furthermore, maintaining a consistent sending volume and proper IP warm-up are crucial factors. It's also highlighted that a good reputation, rather than solely volume, plays a key role. Additionally, if deliverability issues arise specifically with Gmail, the problem is less likely to be directly related to the IP address.
Key findings
- Volume Variance: Reported successful dedicated IP usage varies widely, ranging from a few thousand emails per day to 100,000 emails per week.
- Reputation First: Maintaining a good sender reputation is more important than strictly meeting a specific volume threshold.
- 50k Minimum: A common minimum recommendation is 50,000 emails per month for a dedicated IP.
- Gmail Exception: Gmail deliverability problems are less likely to be related to the IP address itself.
Key considerations
- IP Warm-up: Properly warming up the dedicated IP and maintaining consistent sending practices are crucial for building a good reputation.
- Cost-Benefit: Weigh the costs and benefits of a dedicated IP versus a shared IP, considering the specific sending volume, deliverability needs, and control required.
- Specific ESPs: Consider your ESP's specific requirements, guidelines and support for dedicated IPs.
- Volume Strategy: If your volume is under the recommended threshold, using a shared IP or moving to a better shared IP pool may be more beneficial.
What email marketers say
8 marketer opinions
The general consensus is that a dedicated IP address is best suited for senders with high email volumes. While some have used dedicated IPs with volumes as low as a few thousand per day, most recommendations point to needing at least 50,000 emails per month to justify a dedicated IP. Some sources suggest 50,000 emails per week, or even up to 100,000 emails per week, are needed to maintain a good reputation. Using a shared IP is recommended for lower volumes. Negative email metrics do not scale down with overall volume.
Key opinions
- Volume Threshold: A minimum of 50,000 emails per month is generally needed for a dedicated IP, though some recommend higher volumes (50k/week to 100k/week) to ensure a good sender reputation.
- Shared IP Suitability: For lower sending volumes, a shared IP address is often a more cost-effective and suitable option.
- Metrics Impact: Negative email marketing metrics do not always scale down proportionally with lower volume.
Key considerations
- Reputation Maintenance: Maintaining a positive sender reputation is crucial for deliverability, and higher volumes help with this on a dedicated IP.
- Cost vs. Benefit: Evaluate the costs of a dedicated IP versus the potential benefits, considering the specific sending volume and deliverability needs.
- Alternative Options: Consider moving to a different shared IP pool if encountering deliverability issues with a shared IP due to the actions of other senders on the same IP.
Marketer view
Email marketer from SMTP2GO explains that a dedicated IP is best when sending high volumes, around 50,000 emails per month, or if you need greater control of your sending reputation.
27 Apr 2025 - SMTP2GO
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks uses the rule of thumb of around 100k emails/week to maintain a dedicated IP because it's hard for a sender to maintain a good reputation with mailbox providers with lower volume. They recommend staying on a shared IP until the volume increases unless there are very bad impacts. Also they suggest asking to be moved to a different shared pool if there are blocklists. They state that Sender Score can provide directional guidance, but is not actually used by any provider to filter mail.
12 Jul 2021 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
The responses indicate varying perspectives on the minimum send volume for a dedicated IP. Some experts have successfully used dedicated IPs with as little as 20,000 emails per day, while others recommend a minimum of 50,000 emails per month, with stronger recommendations suggesting 100,000 emails per week. Volume isn't the only factor, and maintaining a good sender reputation is vital. Deliverability issues with Gmail are unlikely to be IP-related.
Key opinions
- Volume Range: Suggested minimum send volumes for a dedicated IP range widely, from 20k a day to 100k a week.
- Reputation Importance: Maintaining a good sender reputation is critical, regardless of send volume.
- Gmail Deliverability: If emails are going to spam in Gmail, the issue is likely not related to the dedicated IP.
Key considerations
- IP Warm-up: Warming up a dedicated IP address slowly and consistently is crucial for establishing a good sending reputation.
- Provider-Specific Factors: Different email service providers (ESPs) may have different requirements and recommendations for dedicated IP usage.
- Reputation Management: Actively manage and monitor your sending reputation to ensure optimal deliverability.
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks shares their experience of using a dedicated IP with a send volume of barely 20k a day.
15 Jul 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource explains that a dedicated IP is usually appropriate for senders who are sending at least 50,000 or more messages per month. If you send less, a shared IP may be more appropriate.
20 Jul 2021 - SpamResource
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
The documentation from SparkPost, SendGrid, and Mailjet indicates that a dedicated IP address is best suited for senders with high and consistent email volumes. SparkPost suggests 50,000+ emails per day is ideal and emphasizes the importance of warming up the IP address slowly and maintaining consistent volume. SendGrid also recommends a minimum of 50,000 emails per day for several weeks to establish a good reputation. Mailjet recommends a dedicated IP for senders sending over 100,000 emails per month.
Key findings
- High Volume Required: Dedicated IPs are recommended for high-volume senders, generally defined as 50,000+ emails per day or 100,000+ emails per month.
- Consistency is Key: Maintaining a consistent sending volume is crucial for establishing and maintaining a good sender reputation with ISPs.
- IP Warm-up is Essential: A gradual IP warm-up process is essential to avoid deliverability issues.
Key considerations
- Sender Reputation: A good sender reputation is vital for ensuring email deliverability when using a dedicated IP address.
- Deliverability Issues: Failure to meet the minimum sending volume or properly warm up the IP can lead to deliverability problems.
- Specific Recommendations: Refer to the specific documentation and recommendations from your ESP for optimal dedicated IP usage.
Technical article
Documentation from Mailjet explains that a dedicated IP address is recommended for senders who send a large volume of emails on a regular basis. Mailjet usually recommends it for senders who send over 100,000 emails per month.
1 Oct 2023 - Mailjet
Technical article
Documentation from SparkPost explains that a dedicated IP address requires a consistent sending volume. They recommend warming up the IP address slowly and maintaining consistent volume, with specific recommendations depending on the number of emails being sent per day (e.g., 50,000+ emails per day is ideal).
3 Nov 2024 - SparkPost
How many dedicated IPs are needed for sending email volume?
How many emails can I send from one IP address per day?
How many emails can I send per dedicated IP address before needing another one?
Is a dedicated IP address needed for sending 150K-200K emails per month?
Is IP warming necessary for low volume email senders with a dedicated IP?
What are the minimum and maximum sending volumes for dedicated IPs?
