What is a typical warmup schedule?
Still have a question, spotted an error, or have a better explanation or a source we should cite?
You're ramping up a fresh IP and wondering how fast you can push it. The key is gradual, deliberate escalation. ISPs watch new senders closely, so you're essentially earning their trust one day at a time.
Week one looks like this: Start small on day one (100 emails), then double roughly every day for the first five days (200, 400, 800, 1,500). Don't aim for precision here. the math is approximate. It's the direction that matters.
Weeks two and three: Keep doubling every 1-2 days once you hit higher volumes (3,000 on days 6-7, then 6,000 on days 8-9, then 12,000+ by day 12). You'll likely hit a natural ceiling based on your list size, send frequency, or ISP feedback.
How to adjust on the fly: Don't stick religiously to numbers if your metrics say otherwise. If bounce rates creep above 2%, pause and stabilize before climbing again. Same if complaint rates spike or if you're getting feedback from ISP tools like Google Postmaster Tools. That feedback is a gift. Use it.
The whole point is showing ISPs you're a predictable, trustworthy sender. Ramping too fast makes you look reckless. Too slow wastes weeks. Think of it as proving yourself gradually rather than proving yourself at all costs.
Next step: Track your metrics during warmup and adjust your pace based on what you're seeing. If engagement stays strong, you can probably push a bit harder. If it flags, slow down.
Contributors
Who worked on this answer
Every name links to their profile. Every company links to their site. Real people, real accountability.