An email queue is a temporary holding system that manages outgoing email messages on web servers. When you send an email from your hosted website or application, it doesn't always go directly to the recipient. Instead, it often enters a queue—a line of messages waiting to be processed and delivered by the mail server.

This system is crucial for several reasons:

• Prevents Server Overload: Queues prevent the mail server from being overwhelmed by too many simultaneous sending requests.
• Manages Delivery Attempts: If a recipient's server is temporarily unavailable, the message stays in the queue for a retry later.
• Improves Reliability: It ensures emails are not lost if there's a brief network or server issue.

Common scenarios where you might encounter email queues include:

• Sending bulk newsletters from your website.
• Automated notifications from a contact form or e-commerce system.
• When server resources are temporarily limited.

If emails seem delayed, it's often because they are waiting in the queue. Most hosting control panels allow you to view and sometimes manage this queue. A stuck queue can sometimes cause delivery failures, which may require administrator intervention.

Understanding this process helps you better manage expectations for email delivery times and troubleshoot potential issues with your hosted email services.