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Lab // Content and SEO Economics

How often to email customers, using the forgetting curve

The short answer

Email often enough that recall stays above a level you choose, and no more often. The forgetting curve says memory fades exponentially, so the longest gap equals stability times the negative log of your target recall. With a stability of 14 days and 60 percent recall, send about every 7 days.

Key takeaways
  • Memory fades at a steady rate.
  • The right gap depends on stability and target recall.
  • Better content raises stability.

The curve

Recall equals e raised to minus the days since the touch divided by the stability. After one stability period, recall is about 37%. Each new touch resets the clock.

Work out the gap

For a stability of 14 days and a target of 60% recall at the next touch, the longest gap is 14 × ln(1 ÷ 0.6) = 7.2 days. A weekly send leaves recall at 61% before each message and averages 79% across the week.

Test it

Stability varies by audience and content. Try weekly and every ten days and compare opens, clicks and unsubscribes. Follow consent and unsubscribe rules whatever frequency you choose.

Free tool / Psychology

How often to email or post before people forget?

Brand Memory Planner

Questions about Content and SEO Economics

Is weekly always right?

No. It fits some lists. Others tolerate less or more contact.

Does this apply to social posts?

Yes, though feeds reach only part of your audience each time.

Key terms

Written by

Kartikeya Awasthi, Co-founder, InTrendz Media

Kartikeya has 12 years of experience across Accenture, EY, Coforge and other enterprises. He holds an MBA from NMIMS Mumbai and has received CII National Gold and Silver awards for AI and Industry 4.0 work. He writes and reviews every Growth Lab article. More about the author

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