Welcome to the guide on ensuring compliance with the new requirements for bulk email senders set by Gmail and Yahoo.
Background Information
Starting in February 2024, Google and Yahoo are implementing stricter requirements for bulk email senders. These changes aim to reduce spam in users' inboxes. Whether you are a high-volume sender or a smaller sender, these changes apply to everyone.
Imagine you haven't done anything yet to meet the new Gmail and Yahoo requirements. Don't worry—we will guide you through all the steps needed to stay compliant.
We'll guide you through the technical details, ensuring you comply with the changes. Let's get started!
Step 1. Add & Authenticate Custom Sender Domain
Ensure proper authentication of the sender domain to meet new requirements.
Add a custom domain or ensure to assign it to Campaigns & Automations (next step) if your domain is already in place. To do this, click on any of the prompts in Omnisend that ask you to Set up a sender domain.
Prompts can be found in different places in your account: in the Campaigns list, during Campaign setup, in the Automation builder, Dashboard, Reports, etc.
Next, please provide the exact domain (or sub-domain) that you want to use for your Campaigns and/or Automations. Once typed in click 'Add domain'.
You will then find the generated SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain. You need to copy and add these records to the settings page of your DNS provider.
Below, you will find a list of the most popular DNS providers. By clicking on the DNS provider name, you can find tutorials or basic information on How to add the given records to your provider.
Important note: When you search for a tutorial on adding records, remember to look only at the TXT format parts.
Explanation of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) specifies authorized mail servers for the domain.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) digitally signs emails to prevent alteration.
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is a framework for handling emails failing authentication, including reporting mechanisms. Ensure a valid DMARC record with at least a "none" policy.
Once added to your DNS settings, click 'Verify Records'.
Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for new DNS settings to become active.
If the records are verified, you will see a success page confirming the changes. Click 'Finish' to get redirected to Store settings → Sender Domain and proceed with Step 2 outlined below.
Step 2. Confirm the Domain for Campaigns & Automations
Choose your recently verified custom domain as the sender domain for Campaigns and Automations. To assign the domain, simply select it from the dropdown; you don't need to take any further action to complete the setup.
Congratulations on completing the steps to ensure compliance with Gmail and Yahoo's bulk email sender requirements. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. For more details and additional information, refer to the Main Guide.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If you don't meet these requirements, messages might be rejected or delivered to recipients' spam folders. These changes have rolled out gradually starting February 2024, allowing for optimization based on industry feedback.
FAQ
What happens if I don't comply with the new requirements?
Failure to comply may result in your messages being rejected or sent to recipients' spam folders. To avoid these issues, it's essential to follow the steps outlined.
I'm a smaller sender; do these changes apply to me?
Yes, the changes apply to all senders, regardless of the volume. Everyone must implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication, have a valid sender email address, and maintain low spam rates.
Is there ongoing support if I encounter issues during the process?
Yes, if you encounter any difficulties or have specific questions, reach out to our support team for assistance. We are always here for you at [email protected].