Why did Shopify send DMARC setup emails to users who already have DMARC records?
Summary
What email marketers say12Marketer opinions
Email marketer from Email Geeks shares that they tried to use generic messaging like `please check and confirm u have a dmarc record` to hopefully allow users who already had a record to move onto missing authentication steps.
Email marketer from Email Vendor Guide answers that many businesses are not fully aware of email authentication, Shopify sends emails to educate it's users to protect domain reputation.
Email marketer from StackExchange responds that Shopify casts a wide net, sending notifications to everyone to ensure even those who may have missed previous announcements are now informed about the necessity of setting up DMARC records.
Email marketer from Mailjet Blog explains that when it comes to security, over-communication is a better approach than under-communication. It ensures maximum coverage and reduces the chance of overlooking a critical security measure.
Email marketer from Reddit user suggests Shopify sends these emails by default as a standard procedure to all its users, irrespective of their current settings, to promote better security across the platform.
Email marketer from Sendgrid answers that the strategy prevents potential security vulnerabilities by ensuring all users, including those who may have set up DMARC incorrectly or incompletely, review their settings.
Email marketer from Mailchimp answers that by sending to everyone, Shopify mitigates the risk of overlooking accounts that might be vulnerable to phishing or spoofing attacks.
Email marketer from Email Geeks said While it would have been ideal to limit the messages based on aggregate store access, vs individual, which is what caused the message proliferation, I was not being facetious about them getting attention from ecomm stores and it is quite literally, time to panic and get their shit together.
Email marketer from Quora explains that Shopify likely sent these emails as part of a broader security update campaign, choosing to notify all users to ensure no one is missed, even if some are already compliant.
Email marketer from Email Geeks says it's not a terrible thing that Shopify is causing a bit of urgency with stores because this is not the time for them to be dragging their feet.
Email marketer from BigScoots answers that it's more important to cover all basis to avoid risks of users missing out on security and domain requirements than to avoid a few people complaining about being informed when they already knew the details.
Email marketer from Webmaster World states that Shopify avoids assumptions about who has correctly configured DMARC. Sending to everyone ensures all users are reminded about the best practices.
What the experts say5Expert opinions
Expert from Word to the Wise responds that sometimes platforms send blanket reminders because it's easier to give universal advice rather than individually audit configurations, ensuring everyone reviews their settings regardless of existing configurations.
Expert from Email Geeks elaborates that sending targeted messages, even with thousands of domains, requires a more complex script to pull out relevant accounts compared to sending a blanket email. This requires accounting for many variables.
Expert from Email Geeks confirms that it is much easier for Shopify to mail everyone than to write DMARC checking code, implying a reason for the blanket email.
Expert from Email Geeks suggests Shopify likely sent the DMARC setup emails to all users regardless of their current DMARC deployment status because it is easier to do that rather than write DMARC checking code.
Expert from Spam Resource explains that sending DMARC setup emails can be an attempt to ensure that all their users are meeting the necessary email authentication standards.
What the documentation says4Technical articles
Documentation from Shopify Help Center explains that Shopify may send blanket notifications regarding security settings like DMARC to ensure all merchants are aware of best practices, even if they have already implemented them.
Documentation from DMARC Analyzer suggests that platforms like Shopify might send redundant notifications to reinforce the importance of email authentication standards and ensure continuous compliance.
Documentation from Agari (Now Proofpoint) says that frequent reminders about DMARC are part of a proactive security strategy, ensuring even technically proficient users periodically re-evaluate their settings and configurations.
Documentation from RFC Editor says that DMARC deployment has complexities, and platforms like Shopify might send updates to ensure users understand their obligations under evolving standards.