If you are looking to integrate SparkPost (now part of Bird) with The Newsletter Plugin for WordPress, you are looking at a powerful combination for deliverability. This setup moves the heavy lifting of sending emails away from your web server and onto a professional-grade SMTP relay.
This is EXACTLY the same product as distributed by the developer. Sales Page
To get this running, you generally need the following:
WordPress Version: Typically 5.0 or higher.
The Newsletter Plugin: Latest version installed (works with both Free and Premium).
SparkPost Account: An active account with an API Key.
Verified Sending Domain: You must have access to your DNS settings (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.) to add SPF and DKIM records for SparkPost.
Using the SparkPost “Delivery Add-on” within The Newsletter Plugin provides several advantages:
| Feature | Description |
| API Connectivity | Uses the SparkPost REST API rather than standard SMTP for faster, more secure transmission. |
| High Throughput | Can send thousands of emails per minute without hitting shared hosting limits. |
| Bounce Handling | Automatically processes bounces and complaints to keep your list clean. |
| Tracking | Syncs opens and clicks back to your WordPress dashboard. |
| Dedicated IPs | Available via SparkPost for high-volume senders who need total reputation control. |
When setting up the add-on in your WordPress dashboard, keep these specs in mind:
API Key Permissions: Your SparkPost API key requires “Transmissions: Read/Write” and “Webhooks: Read/Write” permissions.
Endpoint: You must choose between the Global (US) or European (EU) endpoint depending on where your SparkPost account was created.
Port & Protocol: Since it uses the API, you don’t need to worry about Port 25, 465, or 587 being blocked by your host.
