Magnetic properties of polycrystalline spinel ferrites are of significant interest in scientific community. Of all, initial permeability is most important magnetic property for device fabrication. Mn-Zn and Ni-Zn ferrites are commercially most successful class of ferrites. Ferrites accommodate variety of cations in interstitial sites; type of cations, their occupancy at interstitial sites, grain size, pores, defects, or other imperfections in ferrites regulate their response to external magnetic stimulus. These factors are influenced by composition and preparation method. The failure of initial permeability of ferrites, to withstand variation in frequency of applied signal has fueled intense efforts in scientific community to optimize frequency stability of permeability. Therefore, improvement in their permeability is important from commercial perspective, and it further enables deeper insight into the dynamical link between microstructure and magnetic properties. This work presents a review of initial permeability in Mn-Zn and Ni-Zn ferrites with a focus on influence of intrinsic factors and frequency of applied signal. The work is an analytical assessment to provide framework for engineering high permeability in ferrites.