Reverse Gmail Pushpage "Semi-Permanent Fix"

Blackbaud recently implemented a "semi-permanent fix" causing Gmail users to receive text-only emails with links instead of full Pushpage rendering. This change was deployed during the first weeks of school without any advance communication to schools.

Reference: KB Article #206786

The Core Problem: BB implemented a September fix for a May problem that was already resolved.

Timeline:

  • May 2025: Google changes caused Pushpage delivery issues to Gmail users

  • May-June 2025: Schools identified social media links as the culprit and removed them

  • June-August 2025: Gmail users received Pushpages normally with no issues

  • September 2025: Blackbaud implements "fix" during peak communication period

Why This Should Be Reversed:

  1. No problem existed - Gmail users were receiving Pushpages after social media links were removed

  2. Bad timing - The first week of school deployment has created unnecessary issues and lots of wasted time

  3. No communication - Schools received no warning from BB about this significant change

  4. Reduced functionality - Parents now need an extra click, reducing engagement at a critical time

Impact: Countless BB schools spent the first week of school troubleshooting what they thought was a technical glitch, wasting hours across communications teams and multiple listservs.

Request: Please immediately reverse this unnecessary "semi-permanent fix"


  • Kathleen Steinman
  • Sep 4 2025
  • Already exists
Core
Employee Name Kathleen Steinman
User System Admin
  • Attach files
  • Admin
    Jessi Walters commented
    10 Sep 20:08

    Hey everyone,

    We wanted to address certain changes you may have noticed to Pushpage emails between September 3-5, 2025. During this timeframe, we implemented a change to all Pushpage emails so that your school’s recipients with Gmail addresses would automatically receive a text-only email with a link to the Pushpage.

    We made this decision after noticing a spike in Pushpage emails that were sent to Gmail users being incorrectly labeled as SPAM. At the time, we believed the problem was widespread and wanted to ensure that your students and families received all necessary communications while we continued to investigate the cause of the issue.

    After hearing your thoughtful feedback and researching further, we determined the issue impacted a smaller subset of customers and rolled back this change on September 5, 2025.

    All users will now have the same email experience they had prior to the change on September 3, 2025.

    We continue to investigate changes to our email capabilities – to improve deliverability and modernize the interface, while also working with email providers to prevent recurrence of similar issues. If your school’s Pushpage emails to Gmail recipients continue to incorrectly be marked as SPAM, please follow the instructions in Knowledgebase Article “How do I keep a pushpage from being marked as spam?”

    We understand how critical seamless communication is for your school’s students and families, and we apologize for not notifying you sooner about this change to Pushpage emails. Moving forward, we will keep you updated ahead of implementing any changes.

    Thank you for sharing your feedback — it enables us to better support the incredible work you do every day. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Support.

    Yours in partnership,
    Blackbaud Product Management

    Attachments Open full size
  • Julie Horvath commented
    05 Sep 19:58

    Our users with a gmail address never reported any issues until NOW, with this "semi-permanent fix". They think it is phishing/spam.


    Attachments Open full size
  • Guest commented
    05 Sep 19:15

    Request: Please immediately reverse this unnecessary "semi-permanent fix"

    Spam can ALWAYS be controlled on the user-end side. All they need to do is add it to the greenlight list.

    Attachments Open full size

Related Enhancements