Changes to Gmail may impact bulk email and forwarded email

Beginning in February, Google and Yahoo are introducing new changes aimed at reducing spam and enhancing email security for their users.

While these changes are not expected to impact the majority of McMaster students, staff, and faculty who use McMaster Microsoft Outlook for their email needs, certain scenarios may lead to potential impacts.

Please review the following information to ensure you are not impacted by these changes.

Potential impact to forwarded emails

Some individuals choose to automatically forward their McMaster emails to external email accounts (ex. Gmail) seeking the convenience of having email from multiple accounts in one place.

If you automatically forward your McMaster Outlook emails to a Google or Yahoo account, there’s a chance these emails may be blocked or end up in the spam folder. We recommend discontinuing this practice and using your McMaster Microsoft Outlook account directly to avoid any disruptions.

Potential impact to bulk email senders

If you or your team use an ‘@mcmaster.ca’ email address to send mass email to external non-McMaster email accounts via a third-party service (ex. Mail Chimp, Constant Contact), your emails may be blocked by Gmail and Yahoo accounts starting in February.

Additional guidance for bulk mailers can be found on the University Technology Services website.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UTS service desk.