Email warm-up

Email warm-up (IP and domain warming)

Email Marketing

Email warm-up is growing a new sending domain or IP from small daily volumes to full volume so inbox providers learn to trust it.

What is Email warm-up?

A brand-new domain that suddenly sends 50,000 emails looks like a spammer, even when it's authenticated. Warm-up means starting small, sending to your most engaged people, and raising volume as results stay healthy. IP or domain? Brands on a dedicated IP must warm the IP too. On shared IPs, the domain is what you warm. In SmartyTap, each sending domain moves through stages: Sandbox (up to 500 a day), Pilot (1,500), Warming (4,000) and Active (10,000 a day). If complaints pass 0.3% or bounces pass 5% over 24 hours, marketing sends pause before the damage spreads.

Example

A store warming a new domain emails its last-60-day openers first, then adds older segments a little each week over a month.

Why Email warm-up Matters

Skipping warm-up can send a new domain straight to spam right before the sale you set it up for.

Email warm-up FAQ

How long does email warm-up take?

Usually a few weeks, depending on list size and engagement. Start well before a big sale.

Do I need to warm up if I switch ESPs?

Yes, if the new tool sends from a new domain or IP. Your old reputation doesn't carry over automatically.

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