8.4% -- reply rate for first follow-up email (2026)

The reply rate for first follow-up email is 8.4% as of 2026 according to Belkins. This figure is the primary benchmark in the Lighthouse dataset for this segment. Individual results vary by region, channel mix, and audience quality.

A strong reply rate benchmark for first follow-up email is 8.4%, using the current serving value as of 2026. This is one serving-eligible observation, not a distribution median; top-quartile comparisons require the underlying distribution. Vertical, audience size, and campaign type all shift what 'good' means.

The published reply rate serving value for first follow-up email is 8.4% as of 2026. Individual sectors and audiences may differ substantially; this single observation does not establish an aggregate mean. Quartile comparisons require the underlying distribution, which is not implied by this record.

Primary drivers of reply rate variation for first follow-up email include audience segmentation, timing, and channel selection. Methodology documents campaign factors, but this serving record does not quantify the effect of personalization. The current serving value is 8.4% as of 2026.

For a email marketer, the published reply rate serving value is 8.4%; it is an evidence-grade reference, not a personalized target as of 2026. Any performance goal should account for channel mix and audience. Review the methodology before operational decisions; a gap from this serving value does not by itself indicate a structural issue.