IP Warming
The process of gradually increasing email volume on a new dedicated IP address to build reputation.
IP warming is similar to email warmup but operates at the IP address level. When you get a new dedicated IP from an SMTP provider like Amazon SES or Mailgun, it has no sending history. Email providers treat unknown IPs with suspicion.
To warm an IP, you gradually increase your sending volume over 4-6 weeks, starting with your most engaged recipients. This builds a positive track record that tells providers your IP is legitimate.
IP warming is mainly relevant for high-volume senders (10,000+ emails/day) who use dedicated IPs. Most cold emailers using shared IPs through platforms like Instantly don't need to worry about IP warming specifically.