InboxAlly works with every email platform that can send to a list of addresses. There is no API integration required — you just add your seed email addresses to your sending platform and include them in your campaigns. If your platform can send an email, it can work with InboxAlly.
This guide covers the universal setup process that applies to any ESP, email marketing tool, or SMTP-based sending system.
How InboxAlly Works with Any Platform
InboxAlly provides you with a set of seed email addresses. You add those addresses to your email platform as contacts or subscribers. When you send campaigns, the seeds receive your emails alongside your real subscribers. InboxAlly then engages with those emails — opening, scrolling, clicking, replying, and moving them from spam to inbox — which sends positive signals to mailbox providers and strengthens your sender reputation.
No API key. No OAuth connection. No special plugin. Just add the email addresses and send.
Prerequisites
- An active InboxAlly account with seed emails assigned
- An email platform account where you can add contacts and send campaigns
- Access to your InboxAlly Seed Emails page
Step 1: Export Your Seed Email Addresses
- Log in to your InboxAlly account.
- Navigate to the Seed Emails page from the left sidebar.
- Click Copy All to copy all seed addresses to your clipboard, or click Export to download them as a CSV file.
The CSV export works with virtually every email platform's import feature.
Step 2: Create a Dedicated Group for Seeds
In your email platform, create a separate list, segment, tag, or group for your InboxAlly seed contacts. The exact method depends on your platform:
| Platform type | How to organize seeds |
|---|---|
| List-based (Mailchimp, Brevo, Constant Contact, Moosend) | Create a new list called "InboxAlly Seeds" |
| Tag-based (ConvertKit/Kit, Drip) | Create a tag called "InboxAlly Seeds" and apply it to seed contacts |
| Segment-based (Omnisend, MailerLite) | Create a segment based on a custom field or tag that identifies seeds |
| SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, SparkPost, SendGrid) | Add seeds to the recipient list of your actual campaign sends |
A dedicated group keeps seeds organized, makes them easy to include in every send, and protects them from automated list cleaning.
Step 3: Import Seed Addresses
Most platforms support CSV import:
- Go to your platform's contact import or subscriber import feature.
- Upload the CSV file or paste the email addresses.
- Map the email field (usually automatic).
- Assign the contacts to your InboxAlly Seeds group, list, or tag.
- If prompted about double opt-in or confirmation emails, skip it for seed addresses. Seeds are managed by InboxAlly and do not need to confirm.
- Complete the import.
Step 4: Include Seeds in Every Send
This is the most important step. For best results, seed addresses should receive your actual campaign emails.
For marketing campaigns and broadcasts: - When selecting recipients, include your InboxAlly Seeds group alongside your regular subscriber lists. - If you use audience segments, make sure the segment does not exclude seed contacts.
For automated sequences, drip campaigns, and workflows: - Enroll seed contacts into your automations so they receive the same emails your subscribers get. - Check that trigger conditions and filters do not prevent seeds from entering the workflow.
For transactional email (SMTP): - If you send transactional email through an SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, SparkPost, SendGrid), add seed addresses to the recipient list of your actual sends — not just test sends. - Seeds need to receive the same emails your real users receive to generate meaningful deliverability data.
Step 5: Verify in InboxAlly
After your first send that includes seeds:
- Go to your InboxAlly Dashboard.
- Check the Emails Engaged chart — you should see activity within a few hours.
- Look at the Latest Engagements feed for opens, scrolls, and other actions.
- Confirm your campaign appears in the Latest Broadcasts Engaged table.
If engagement is showing, you are all set.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
These issues come up across all platforms. Watch for them regardless of which tool you use:
Double opt-in blocking seeds
Some platforms require new contacts to confirm their subscription. Disable confirmation for seed imports, or manually mark them as confirmed.
Sending to only part of your seed list
Make sure all seeds are included in every send. If your platform splits recipients by segment or list and you forget to add seeds to one of them, those seeds will not receive the email and your deliverability data will be incomplete.
Platform-Specific Notes
Quick tips for platforms that do not have a dedicated InboxAlly integration guide:
| Platform | Notes |
|---|---|
| Constant Contact | Create a contact list for seeds. Add it to every campaign on the recipients step. |
| Drip | Use tags to label seeds. Include the tag in your workflow triggers or campaign audience. |
| MailerLite | Create a group for seeds. Add the group to campaigns alongside your subscriber groups. |
| Moosend | Create a mailing list for seeds. Include it in your campaign recipient settings. |
| Omnisend | Add seeds as subscribers with a custom property. Use that property to create a segment, then include it in campaigns. |
| Amazon SES | Seeds must be in the recipient list of actual sends. Use your application code or a bulk sending tool to include them. |
| Postmark | Include seeds in your broadcast sends. For transactional email, add them via your sending script. |
| SparkPost | Add seeds to your recipient list alongside real recipients. |
| SendGrid | Create a contact list for seeds. Include it in your Marketing Campaigns or add seeds to your transactional sends via API. |