How to implement throttled cadence testing?

Throttled cadence testing gradually adjusts send frequency for a subset of your list to measure the impact on engagement and deliverability before rolling out changes to everyone. Instead of suddenly doubling or halving email frequency across your entire database, you test the change with a small controlled group and monitor results.

Start by selecting a representative sample, typically 5 to 10 percent of your list, and increase or decrease their email frequency by one send per week or month. Track open rates, click rates, unsubscribe rates, and complaint rates over several weeks. Compare these metrics to a control group receiving your current cadence.

If the test group shows improved engagement or stable metrics with higher frequency, you can gradually expand the change. If metrics decline, you have identified the threshold without burning your entire list. Throttled testing protects your sender reputation and provides data driven guidance. Testing cadence changes slowly is like adjusting your course one degree at a time rather than spinning the wheel and hoping for the best.