Is IP warming necessary for low volume, non-Google/Yahoo/Outlook.com sends on a dedicated IP?
Michael Ko
Co-founder & CEO, Suped
Published 27 May 2025
Updated 19 Aug 2025
6 min read
The question of IP warming often arises, particularly for senders navigating new email infrastructure. While a dedicated IP is generally recommended for high-volume senders, its necessity for low-volume, inconsistent sends targeting non-major mailbox providers (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com) is a nuanced topic.
IP warming, or the gradual increase of email volume from a new IP address, is a critical process for building sender reputation. Without it, a sudden surge of emails from a 'cold' IP can trigger spam filters, leading to poor deliverability. This is because mailbox providers use IP reputation as a key factor in determining whether an incoming email is legitimate or spam.
For most senders, a structured IP warming schedule is essential, involving a slow ramp-up of volume, typically starting with highly engaged recipients. This helps establish a positive sending history with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), showing them that your mail is wanted and legitimate. Neglecting this can result in your emails being blocked or routed to the spam folder, impacting your overall deliverability.
Low volume on a dedicated IP
When your email volume is as low as 1,000 to 2,000 emails per week, spread out, the dynamics of IP warming on a dedicated IP shift considerably. A dedicated IP's reputation is entirely dependent on your sending behavior. With such low and inconsistent volume, it becomes challenging to build and maintain a consistent positive sending history.
Mailbox providers prefer to see steady, predictable sending patterns. Erratic or very low volume on a dedicated IP can actually be detrimental, as the IP may appear inactive or suspicious. This is why shared IP addresses are often recommended for senders with low or sporadic volumes, as the collective sending of many users helps maintain a baseline reputation. Generally, a dedicated IP is suitable for those sending upwards of 100,000 emails per month, as outlined by some email service providers like Zoho. We have another guide on whether a dedicated IP is suitable for low-volume email senders, which you might find useful.
The potential issue isn't necessarily that you'll be penalized for not warming, but rather that your IP's reputation won't have enough consistent volume to establish itself positively. This makes it vulnerable to even minor issues, as there isn't enough positive sending data to counteract any negative signals.
Impact on non-Google/Yahoo/Outlook.com recipients
Even if your primary recipients aren't Google, Yahoo, or Outlook.com, IP warming still holds relevance. Smaller ISPs, corporate mail servers, and regional providers also employ spam filtering mechanisms that consider IP reputation, alongside domain reputation. While the giants may have more sophisticated algorithms, smaller providers often rely heavily on traditional IP-based blacklists (or blocklists) and volume patterns.
If your IP is new and suddenly sends even a modest burst of emails, it can still look suspicious to these smaller networks. They may not have the same data points as Google or Outlook, but they will still note a new IP sending email.
Ultimately, the quality of your mailing list and the engagement of your recipients will be paramount. If your emails are consistently opened, clicked, and not marked as spam, your IP (and domain) will build a positive reputation over time, even with lower volumes. However, if your data quality is poor, or engagement is low, a dedicated IP at low volumes offers very little insulation against deliverability issues.
IP warming still has value
Smaller ISPs: Many smaller Internet Service Providers and corporate networks still rely heavily on traditional IP reputation for filtering decisions.
Blocklist sensitivity: A new IP, even with low volume, can be more susceptible to landing on an IP blacklist or blocklist if any negative signals arise. Monitoring blocklists is a wise precaution.
Lack of reputation: A cold IP with no history can still be viewed with suspicion, regardless of the recipient's domain.
Cautions and considerations
While a formal, aggressive IP warming schedule typically isn't necessary for such low volumes, a period of cautious sending is still advisable. The main goal is to avoid sudden spikes in volume from a new IP that could inadvertently trigger spam filters, even on smaller domains.
Your best defense against deliverability issues at this volume lies in impeccable list hygiene and content quality. For instance, Amazon SES recommends shared IP addresses if you don't plan to send large volumes of email on a regular and predictable basis, specifically for transactional emails. This echoes the sentiment that consistent, high volume is key for dedicated IP success. You might want to review our best practices for dedicated IP warm-up for more context.
If you do experience deliverability issues, the low volume and inconsistent nature of your sends mean you won't have enough positive engagement data to quickly repair a damaged reputation. This situation emphasizes the need for proactive measures rather than reactive fixes.
Views from the trenches
Best practices
Maintain an exceptionally clean and engaged email list to ensure high deliverability rates.
Implement email authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for all outgoing mail.
Send consistent, relevant content that encourages positive recipient engagement.
Monitor basic deliverability metrics like bounce rates and spam complaints regularly.
Common pitfalls
Sending large, infrequent bursts of email from a cold or underutilized dedicated IP.
Neglecting list hygiene, leading to high bounce rates and spam trap hits.
Failing to set up proper email authentication, which can lead to blocks.
Assuming low volume negates the need for any deliverability best practices.
Expert tips
Focus on the quality of your recipients rather than just the quantity of emails sent.
Even small, sporadic volumes can get caught by filters if reputation is not established.
A dedicated IP at low volumes is very difficult to 'warm' or 'repair' if issues arise.
If your data is good, low volumes are less likely to encounter significant issues.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says IP warming is not necessary for very low volumes if the mail stream quality is A+, as recipients might help fish emails out of spam folders.
2023-04-26 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks says that low volumes (1-2k per week) are generally not enough to perform meaningful reputation repair if deliverability issues arise.
2023-04-26 - Email Geeks
Summary and recommendation
While a traditional, rigorous IP warming schedule may not be strictly necessary for low-volume (1-2k per week), inconsistent sends to non-major mailbox providers on a dedicated IP, a period of careful sending is still advisable. The minimal volume makes it difficult to actively build or repair a robust IP reputation. Your best strategy is to focus on delivering high-quality, wanted emails to a clean list, as this is your primary defense against deliverability issues.
Even though major providers like Google have strict sender guidelines, smaller providers still rely on IP reputation. Therefore, consistency in sending and maintaining positive engagement with your recipients are key to ensuring your emails reach the inbox, regardless of your IP configuration or recipient's mailbox provider.
Google or 
Outlook, but they will still note a new IP sending email.
Amazon SES recommends shared IP addresses if you don't plan to send large volumes of email on a regular and predictable basis, specifically for transactional emails. This echoes the sentiment that consistent, high volume is key for dedicated IP success. You might want to review our best practices for dedicated IP warm-up for more context.
