Understanding Our IP Warming Process

Modified on Sun, 16 Feb at 8:47 AM

Email deliverability is crucial for your business success, and proper IP warming is a fundamental step in establishing a strong sender reputation. This guide explains our automated IP warming process and provides best practices for optimal results.

How Our Automated IP Warming Works

Our system implements a carefully calibrated process that follows SendGrid's best practices while automatically managing your email volume to maintain optimal deliverability:

Initial Phase

Starting volume begins at 50 emails per day
System monitors delivery metrics in real-time for each IP/domain combination
Automatic overflow handling between warming IPs during volume spikes
Built-in safeguards automatically adjust sending speeds if delivery issues arise

Volume Progression

Gradual increase over 3 weeks based on performance metrics
By week 3, your IP should handle up to 1,000,000 emails per day
Automated throttling kicks in if sudden volume spikes or drops are detected
Sending automatically stops if bounce rates exceed 3%

Detailed Warmup Schedule

Day	Number of Daily Emails
1	50
2	100
3	250
4	500
5	1,000
6	2,500
7	5,000
8	7,500
9	10,000
10	15,000
11	20,000
12	30,000
13	40,000
14	55,000
15	70,000
16	100,000
17	150,000
18	250,000
19	300,000
20	400,000
21	500,000
22	600,000
23	700,000
24	800,000
25	900,000
26	1,000,000
27	1,350,000
28	1,800,000
29	2,400,000
30	3,200,000
31	4,250,000
32	5,600,000
33	7,500,000
34	10,000,000

Important Notes:

If you know who your most engaged users are, it is typically best practice to segment email lists from most to least engaged recipients. You can then begin sending to your most engaged segments first. It is in your best interests to avoid expanding to less engaged audiences until performance is healthy enough to merit such an expansion. Otherwise, you might run into or exacerbate existing performance issues.
Warm up schedules can vary greatly depending on a number of factors including: list age, list hygiene, spam reports, user engagement, content, and domain distribution. The warm up schedule above is meant to serve as a generic guide and using it does not guarantee success.

Recommended Sending Strategy During Warming

Weeks 1-2 (Early Warming Phase)

Consolidate multiple daily campaigns into 2-3 sends
Target only highly engaged subscribers (clicked within last 30 days)
Maintain minimum 4-hour spacing between sends
Recommended sending times: 9am, 1pm, and 5pm
Utilize timezone-based sending to spread out delivery

Week 3 (Later Warming Phase)

Gradually return to your normal sending cadence
Target engaged subscribers (clicked or opened within last 60 days)
Maintain minimum 1-hour spacing between sends
Keep sending patterns consistent
Continue monitoring engagement metrics

Best Practices for Success

Maintain Consistent Volumes: Sudden spikes or drops can trigger automated adjustments
Focus on Engagement: Higher engagement rates during warming help establish strong IP reputation
Monitor Metrics: Keep an eye on delivery statistics and bounce rates
Be Patient: The 3-week warming period is essential for long-term deliverability success

What to Expect

Our system automatically handles volume management
Real-time monitoring and adjustments ensure optimal delivery
Automated safeguards prevent reputation damage
Progressive volume increases as your IP establishes reputation

Support and Monitoring

Our team actively monitors the warming process and will:

Track delivery metrics across all IPs and domains
Make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance
Alert you of any significant issues or required actions
Provide guidance for maintaining good sender reputation

Remember that proper IP warming is not just a technical process - it's an investment in your email program's long-term success. Following these guidelines helps establish a strong sender reputation that will benefit your email deliverability for years to come.