What is a “domain aging” strategy?

Domain aging is the practice of registering domains well before you need them, allowing them to establish history with internet infrastructure.

Why aging matters:

Brand new domains face extra scrutiny from mailbox providers

Spammers frequently register and burn domains quickly

Aged domains with established DNS records look more legitimate

Some filters explicitly disadvantage very new domains

How to implement aging:

Register domains 4 to 12 weeks before intended use

Set up DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) immediately

Create a basic website or landing page

Point email accounts at the domain early

Consider light legitimate use (personal email, team communication)

What aging accomplishes:

Domain appears in DNS caches and history

SSL certificates establish legitimacy

Web presence creates searchable footprint

Removes the brand new domain red flag

Planning implications:

Maintain inventory of aging domains

Stagger registration for continuous supply

Factor aging time into campaign planning

Aging is one component of infrastructure preparation, not a substitute for proper warmup.