---
title: "Sending mail from your account IP"
date: "2015-04-28"
category: "email"
slug: "sending-mail-from-your-account-ip"
---

## Overview

Accounts with a dedicated IP address for SSL ($2.50/mo) can optionally send outbound mail through that IP. This feature is called **Private SMTP Routing**.

To enable it, open a support ticket in the [[logging-into-the-control-panel]] specifying which domains will send outbound e-mail. Only those domains will use your dedicated IP for outgoing mail.

## Benefits

### Immunity from DNS Blacklists

Shared mail servers funnel outbound mail through a set of IP addresses. If spam originates from a shared address, it can be blacklisted, temporarily disrupting e-mail for everyone on that IP. A dedicated IP isolates your mail reputation from other accounts.

### Separate DNS Reputation

Ideal for corporate e-mail that is unlikely to trigger negative reputation heuristics with adaptive filtering providers like Barracuda, Gmail, and McAfee Threat Sense. Your mail builds its own positive reputation independently.

## Downsides

### Lower Volume, Slower Trust

A dedicated IP that sends few messages may lack enough samples to establish either a positive or negative reputation. Shared server IPs typically send thousands of messages daily, allowing receiving servers to quickly build trust. A single IP sending 3-5 messages per day of "questionable" content may trigger negative reputation filters.

## Recommendation

If you send several dozen or more e-mails per day, a dedicated IP ensures reliable delivery. If you send e-mail infrequently, continue using the shared IP -- its established volume and reputation provide more consistent delivery.
