Are small senders exempt from Gmail/Yahoo rules?

No, small senders are not exempt from Gmail and Yahoo rules. While the bulk sender threshold (5,000 daily messages) triggers additional requirements, smaller senders still benefit from following the same practices and may face filtering if they violate core principles.

Authentication requirements represent best practices regardless of volume. Small senders without proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC face increased filtering even below bulk thresholds. Complaint rates matter at any volume, with small senders more vulnerable to percentage spikes from few complaints.

Treat bulk sender requirements as best practices to follow rather than rules to avoid through low volume. The practices improve deliverability at any scale and prepare for growth without requiring infrastructure changes later.