Does Email Warmup Help You to Boost Email Deliverability in 2025?

^{More than 50% of cold emails never make it to the inbox in 2025.}

^{They get silently filtered into spam—or worse, blocked altogether.}

^{Why?
‍
Because email platforms like Gmail and Outlook have rolled out tougher bulk sender guidelines.}

^{If your domain is new, engagement is low, or sending behavior looks unnatural, you’ll get flagged.}

^{And that brings us to the real question:
‍
Can email warmup actually fix your deliverability problems?}

^{Short answer: yes—if you do it right.}

^{Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or sales rep, learning how email warmup works is one of the easiest ways to protect your sender reputation and get more replies.}

^{In this blog, you’ll learn:}

• ^{Why cold emails go to spam in the first place}
  
  
• ^{What email warmup is and how it helps}
  
  
• ^{When to use it (and when you can skip it)}
  
  
• ^{Tools that automate warmup for you}
  
  
• ^{And why it’s essential before launching any cold campaign}
  
  

^{Let’s break it down step by step.}

^‍

^{What Causes Poor Email Deliverability in Cold Outreach?}

^{If your cold emails keep landing in spam, it’s not just bad luck.} 

^{Email platforms like Gmail and Outlook watch everything—from how you send, to what you send, to how people react.}

^{If something looks off, your message doesn’t make it.}

^{Here are some of the most common reasons that hurt your deliverability:}

^{The good news?}

^{All of this can be fixed. One of the first (and smartest) steps is warming up your inbox gradually, so email platforms start trusting you before your real outreach begins.}

^{Tools like Warmforge make this easy by automating the entire warmup process and helping you monitor inbox health along the way.}

^‍

^{Why Your Email Setup Matters (Not Just Warmup)}

^{Warming up your inbox is just the beginning.
‍
If the rest of your email setup isn’t right, warmup alone won’t save you from spam folders.}

^{Inbox providers look at the full picture before trusting your emails. So, to get better deliverability, you need to get your infrastructure right too.}

^{Here’s what to double-check:}

^{🔹New Domain? Expect Extra Caution}

^{If you're using a fresh domain, inbox providers will be extra strict—especially during the first few weeks.}

^{Why it matters: A new domain has no reputation. That’s why warmup is even more critical here. Go slow, stay consistent, and don’t rush into large sends.}

^{🔹Shared Tracking Links Can Hurt You}

^{If your email tool uses a shared tracking domain (for opens and clicks), and that domain gets flagged, your deliverability drops too.}

^{Why it matters: You’re sharing risk with others. Setting up your own custom tracking domain keeps your reputation under your control—and pairs well with a clean warmup.}

^{🔹Don’t Mix Outreach With Your Main Inbox}

^{Sending cold emails from your main work inbox (or worse, sharing it with a team) creates noise and risks cross-contamination of your sender reputation.}

 ^{Why it matters: A dedicated inbox gives you a clean slate to warm up, monitor, and manage. It separates outreach risk from your core business inbox.}

^{🔹Your IP Reputation Affects Deliverability Too}

^{Many tools send emails from shared IPs. If others on that IP abuse it, your emails may get blocked, even if your content is solid.}

^{Why it matters: Use warmup tools like Warmforge that show you IP health and help avoid shared-IP risks.}

^{🔹SPF, DKIM, DMARC = Must-Have Setup}

^{These are basic records that verify you're a trusted sender. Without them, inbox providers can’t tell if your email is real or spoofed.}

 ^{Why it matters: Even during warmup, authentication matters. Set these up before sending anything, or your emails may bounce without warning.}

^{🔹Your Sender Name Should Sound Human}

^{Using generic emails like noreply@ or marketing@ often triggers filters. Inbox providers—and people—prefer emails that come from a real person.}

 ^{Why it matters: Warming up a personal-looking address (like sarah@yourcompany.com) builds more trust and improves open rates.}

^{🔹Not Monitoring Blacklists? You Might Be on One}

^{Domains and IPs can end up on blocklists without you realizing. If you’re on one, warmup won’t help until you're off it.}

 ^{Why it matters: Tools like Warmforge or MXToolbox can alert you early. Checking regularly avoids nasty surprises that tank your deliverability.}

^‍

^{What Is Email Warmup and How Does It Help Email Deliverability?}

^{If you're using a brand-new inbox or domain to send cold emails, you're starting from zero in the eyes of Gmail, Outlook, and every other inbox provider.}

^{They don’t know if you're legit or a spammer—so by default, they won’t trust you.}

^{➤ What Is Email Warmup?}

^{Email warmup is how you earn that trust. It’s the process of slowly increasing your email activity, starting with small, low-risk sends that get opened, replied to, and engaged with.}

^{This tells inbox providers:}

^{“People want these emails. They’re safe.”}

^{As a result, your sender reputation improves. That reputation directly affects your email deliverability—or how often your emails land in the inbox instead of spam.}

^{Without warmup, cold outreach campaigns fail before they even begin.}

^{You might be sending great messages, but if they don’t show up where people can see them, none of it matters.}

^{Warmup helps you:}

• ^{Avoid spam filters}
  
  
• ^{Build inbox trust}
  
  
• ^{Set the stage for real outreach that gets delivered}
  
  

^{It’s especially important if:}

• ^{You’re launching cold outreach from a new domain}
  
  
• ^{You’re switching to a new email tool}
  
  
• ^{You haven’t used your inbox for weeks or months}
  
  

^{Warmup isn’t just a checkbox—it’s step one.}
 

^{When Should You Use Email Warmup for Better Deliverability?}

^{You don’t need warmup for every email you send—but if you’re doing cold outreach, launching a new campaign, or trying to fix deliverability problems, skipping warmup is a mistake.}

^{Here are the most common situations where email warmup is a must:}

^{➤ You're Using a New Domain or Email Address}

^{Inbox providers don’t trust what they don’t know. A new domain has zero reputation, so starting cold outreach without warming up is almost guaranteed to land you in spam.}

^‍

^{➤ You Haven’t Sent Emails in a While}

^{Inactivity hurts sender's reputation. Even a few weeks of silence can cause your domain to “cool down.” A short warmup helps you ease back in without raising flags.}

^‍

^{➤ You Switched Email Tools or Providers}

^{New platforms = different IPs, patterns, and sending behavior. Inbox providers notice the change. Warming up again helps re-establish your trust.}

^‍

^{➤ You're Planning to Send at Higher Volumes}

^{Going from 10 to 100+ emails per day overnight is a classic spam trigger. Warming up lets you scale safely and avoid sudden spikes that damage deliverability.}

^‍

^{➤ You Had Previous Spam or Bounce Issues}

^{If your cold emails were getting marked as spam or bouncing, you need to reset. Warmup gives you a clean path to rebuild the sender's reputation gradually.}

^‍

^{➤ You're Running Outreach for a New Product or Brand}

^{Even if your main domain is warmed up, launching under a new subdomain or email address (like for a new product line or brand) means starting from scratch. Treat it like a new inbox.}

^‍

^{➤ You’re Using a Subdomain for Cold Outreach}

^{A common strategy is to send outreach from something like outreach.yourdomain.com. But it’s still new to inbox providers—and needs its own warmup cycle.}

^‍

^{➤ You’re Managing Outreach for Multiple Clients}

^{Agencies or freelancers managing outreach for multiple brands should warm up each client’s inbox separately.}

^{What works for one sender doesn’t carry over to another.}

^‍

^{The bottom line:
‍
If inbox providers don’t recognize your domain, or your sending behavior changes suddenly, they’ll stop trusting your emails.
‍
Email warmup builds that trust before you start scaling.}

^{And if you don’t want to do it all manually, tools like Warmforge can handle the daily volume ramp-up, replies, and tracking—so you can focus on results, not setup.}

^‍

^{How Does Email Warmup Improve Your Email Deliverability?}

^{So how does email warmup actually help you get into the inbox?}

^{It’s all about building trust with Gmail, Outlook, and other inbox providers.}

^{These platforms are constantly judging your domain, IP, and sending behavior. If anything feels off, your emails won’t make it.}

^{Warmup gives you a chance to prove you're safe before you start sending real cold outreach.}

^{Here’s how it makes a real difference:}

 ^{Email warmup isn’t just about getting started—it’s about staying out of spam for the long run.}

^{Done right, it protects your outreach, boosts performance, and builds lasting trust with inbox providers.}

^‍

^{How Long Should Email Warmup Take to Show Results?}

^{Email warmup isn’t something you can rush. Inbox providers need time to recognize and trust your sending behavior.}

^{On average, warming up an inbox takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your domain and sending setup.}

^{📅 Domain Age Matters}

• ^{New domain? Warm up for 4 to 6 weeks.
  ‍
  New domains have no history. Gmail and Outlook are cautious and may flag you quickly.}
  
  
• ^{Existing domain with a good setup?
  ‍
  If you already have SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, and some sending history, 2 to 3 weeks may be enough.}
  

📈 Volume and Platform Affect the Timeline

• Planning to send 500+ cold emails per week?
  ‍
  Your warmup period should be at least 3 to 4 weeks.
  
  
• Avoid sudden jumps
  ‍
  Sending 100+ emails a day from a cold inbox is risky. It often triggers spam filters.
  
  
• Gmail filters are stricter
  ‍
  If you’re using Google Workspace or targeting Gmail users, a longer warmup helps improve inbox placement.
  

✅ Signs You’re Ready for Cold Outreach

Your inbox is warmed up when:

• ✅ Open rates stay steady (around 40–60%)
  
  
• ✅ Very few bounces or spam complaints
  
  
• ✅ Emails land in the primary inbox, not spam or promotions
  

🔧 Tools Make It Easier

Using a tool like Warmforge?

• It automates daily sending
  
  
• Simulates replies and engagement
  
  
• Alerts you when it’s safe to start full cold outreach
  
  

💡 Final Tip

Don’t rush.
‍
A few extra days of slow warmup now can save you weeks of deliverability problems later.

‍

What Happens If You Skip Email Warmup in 2025?

Skipping email warmup is like cold calling 200 people from a number that’s never been used before.

People don’t know who you are, and spam filters treat you the same way—like a risk.

If you start sending cold emails from a new or inactive inbox without warming it up first, you’re almost guaranteed to run into deliverability issues. Here’s what that looks like in real life:

Skipping warmup might save you a few days, but it could cost you weeks (or even months) in lost reach, poor results, and a ruined domain.
‍
A simple warmup plan—or using a tool like Warmforge—can prevent all of this from happening.

‍

What Are the Best Tools to Help With Email Warmup in 2025?

Doing email warmup manually is possible, but it’s time-consuming and easy to mess up. 

That’s why most cold email senders use a warmup tool that automates the process, tracks performance, and helps avoid mistakes.

Here are some of the best email warmup tools in 2025, starting with the one I’d recommend checking out first.

‍

Quick Comparison: Best Email Warmup Tools in 2025

Here is the detailed breakdown of tools:

Warmforge (Best for All-in-One Warmup + Cold Outreach)

Warmforge is more than just a warmup tool—it’s built for cold email senders who want to launch campaigns the right way, without burning their domain. 

You don’t just warm up; you monitor inbox placement, simulate real conversations, and launch campaigns from the same dashboard.

Key Features:

• Fully automated warmup with real inbox interactions
  
  
• Built-in cold outreach + campaign tracking
  
  
• Spam placement alerts and deliverability score
  
  
• Supports multiple inboxes and domains
  
  
• Smart daily volume ramp-up
  
  

✅ Pros:

• Combines email warmup and cold outreach in one dashboard
  
  
• Fully automated setup with reply simulation

Read the full review by Rodrigo M.

• Monitors inbox health, spam placement, and sending limits
  
  

❌ Cons:

• Expensive

Read the full review

• Currently optimized for Gmail and Outlook accounts
  

Why it stands out: If you want a hands-off warmup that just works, Warmforge is a strong pick—especially if you're managing cold outreach at scale or across multiple domains.

‍

Mailreach (Best for Warmup Customization)

Mailreach is a dedicated warmup platform trusted by thousands of users for its advanced controls and analytics. 

It’s ideal if you want to tweak the warmup process manually and see what’s happening under the hood.

Key Features:

• Automated email warmup with reply simulation
  
  
• Custom warmup volume settings
  
  
• Daily reporting and engagement stats
  
  
• Works with most major ESPs
  
  

✅ Pros:

• Deep customization for warmup settings
  
  
• Detailed deliverability reports and analytics
  
  
• Supports multiple inboxes
  ‍
• Blocking spam emails 

Read the full user review by Narendra S.

❌ Cons:

• Not bundled with outreach features
  
  
• UI could feel dated for some users
  ‍
• Limited features

Read the full user review

‍

Warmup Inbox (Best Budget-Friendly Option)

Warmup Inbox is a simple tool designed for small teams and solo users. It’s lightweight, affordable, and does the job if you just want basic warmup automation.

Key Features:

• Auto warmup using a global inbox network
  
  
• Daily engagement tracking
  
  
• Easy inbox connection in under 2 minutes
  
  

✅ Pros:

• Affordable and easy to set up
  
  
• Works with most email providers
  
  
• Good for solo users and small teams
  ‍
• Good deliverability 

Read the full user review

❌ Cons:

• Limited reporting and insights
  ‍
• No outreach tools

Read the full user review

‍

Lemwarm (Best for Lemlist Users)

Lemwarm is Lemlist’s built-in warmup solution. It’s perfect if you’re already using Lemlist for cold outreach and want an integrated warmup flow.

Key Features:

• Native integration with Lemlist campaigns
  
  
• Gradual warmup scheduling
  
  
• Inbox health scoring
  
  

✅ Pros:

• Integrated directly into Lemlist
  
  
• Automated warmup with minimal setup
  
  
• Tracks inbox reputation in the background
  
  

❌ Cons:

• Requires a Lemlist subscription
  
  
• Limited flexibility outside the Lemlist ecosystem

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Does Email Warmup Alone Guarantee High Deliverability?

Short answer: No—but it’s a critical first step.

Warming up your inbox builds trust with email providers, but it won’t fix everything on its own. 

Think of email warmup as laying the foundation.

Without it, your outreach will struggle.

But if your other setup isn’t right, warmup won’t save you either.

Here’s what else you need to get right to improve email deliverability:

Final word:
‍
Email warmup is the beginning, not the full strategy.
‍
It opens the door. But to stay in the inbox, you need the full picture—good setup, solid lists, clean content, and smart sending habits.

When all those pieces come together, that’s when you start seeing real results from your cold email efforts.

‍

Conclusion: Is Email Warmup Worth It for Cold Outreach in 2025?

If you’re sending cold emails in 2025, email warmup isn’t optional—it’s essential.

It helps you stay out of spam, build sender reputation, and make sure your emails actually land where they should: the inbox.

That said, warmup is just the starting point.

For the best results, you also need the right setup, like proper domain authentication, clean lead lists, and natural sending behavior.

But without a warmup, even the best content won’t get seen.

Choosing the right tool depends on how you work.

• If you want everything in one place, Warmforge gives you warmup + cold outreach in a single dashboard.
  
  
• If you want full control over settings, Mailreach is a great choice.
  
  
• If you’re on a tight budget, Warmup Inbox gets the job done.
  
  
• And if you’re a Lemlist user, Lemwarm fits right in.

Warmforge is a good place to start if you want a warm-up and outreach in one tool.

There’s a 7-day free trial, so you can test it before committing.

‍

FAQs 

What is email warmup?

Email warmup is the process of gradually sending emails from a new or inactive inbox to build trust with inbox providers.

It helps improve sender reputation and email deliverability over time.

How long should email warmup take?

Most email warmup routines take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your domain age, email volume, and platform. New domains typically need more time to build a reputation.

Do I need an email warmup for a new domain?

Yes. New domains have no sending history and are more likely to land in spam. Warmup helps you earn trust with Gmail, Outlook, and other inbox providers.

What happens if you skip email warmup?

Skipping warmup increases the risk of your emails landing in spam, lowers open rates, and can damage your domain’s sender reputation, making recovery difficult.

Does email warmup alone guarantee inbox placement?

No. Warmup helps, but you also need proper domain setup (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), clean lists, and non-spammy content for best deliverability results.

What are the best tools for email warmup in 2025?

• Warmforge – Best all-in-one warmup + outreach tool
  
  
• Mailreach – Best for advanced customization
  
  
• Warmup Inbox – Best for budget users
  
  
• Lemwarm – Best for Lemlist users
  
  

Is email warmup required for every inbox?

Not always. But it’s strongly recommended for new domains, inactive inboxes, or when ramping up cold outreach from scratch.