Google's new Gmail program lets US political campaigns bypass spam filters

Google announced that on September 8 it will roll out a Gmail Verified Sender Program aimed at US political campaigns. To qualify, committees must use a verified domain, keep spam-flag rates under 0.3%, and meet rigorous security and compliance requirements. The company argues the initiative will let voters receive desired messages while preserving inbox control.

Critics note the timing aligns with the upcoming 2026 mid-term elections, potentially enabling a surge of fundraising emails. Google has a history of tension with the Republican National Committee, which previously sued the firm over claims of partisan spam filtering. The earlier lawsuit was dismissed in 2024, and the new program represents another attempt to address the issue. One outlet reported the details after a quiet help-center posting by Google.