Summary: This guide explains why Gmail and Yahoo addresses are no longer supported for sending Sites Newsletters due to industry-wide security updates. It provides a list of recommended alternative email providers and instructions on how to transition your account to ensure your emails continue to reach your audience.
Before You Begin
Effective Date: As of February 2024, Google and Yahoo have implemented stricter authentication requirements.
The Impact: You can no longer use @gmail.com or @yahoo.com addresses as the "Send From" address for newsletters. Doing so will result in delivery failures.
The Solution: You must switch to a different email provider (like Outlook, Zoho, or a custom domain) to maintain newsletter functionality.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select a New Email Service Provider. If you do not already have a non-Gmail/Yahoo email address, you will need to create one. We recommend the following reliable and secure alternatives:
Outlook.com: User-friendly, 15GB free storage, integrates with Microsoft tools.
Zoho Mail: 5GB free storage, supports custom domains, business-friendly.
ProtonMail: Strong security focus, 500MB free storage.
Tutanota: Privacy-focused with 1GB free storage.
Mail.com: Free email domains with 2GB storage.
Create your New Account. Visit the website of your chosen provider (e.g., Outlook.com) and sign up for a new email address for your church or ministry.
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Update your Sites User Profile. Once you have your new email address, you must update your Tithely Sites account so that newsletters are sent from this new valid source.
Log in to your Tithely Site.
Navigate to your User Profile settings.
Enter your new non-Gmail/Yahoo address into the email field.
Save your changes.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why is this happening? Google and Yahoo implemented these changes to combat spam and phishing. By restricting third-party services (like Tithely) from sending emails on behalf of
@gmail.comaddresses, they ensure that emails are genuinely sent from the stated source. This increases overall trust and security.What happens if I keep using my Gmail address? If you attempt to send a newsletter using a restricted domain, the emails will likely be rejected by recipient servers or marked as spam, meaning your congregation will not receive your updates.
Can I use a custom church domain (e.g., info@mychurch.org)? Yes! Using an email address connected to your own custom domain is actually the best practice for deliverability and professional branding.