Do automated emails always perform better?

Myth: Automated emails always perform better than batch sends.

Reality: Well-designed automation outperforms batch sends. Poorly designed automation can underperform.

Why automation usually wins: Better timing (responding to behavior). Higher relevance (content matched to trigger). Expected by recipient (welcome, confirmation). More personalized.

When automation underperforms: Stale, never-updated content. Poorly designed triggers or timing. Excessive frequency causing fatigue. Broken personalization or logic errors.

When batch might win: Time-sensitive announcements. Major promotional events. Content requiring human judgment. Audiences not suited to behavioral triggers.

Automation is a tool, not a guarantee. The quality of design determines performance, not the category of send.