Unable to send emails due to color contrast

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Topic summary

Multiple Shopify store owners are encountering a new error preventing email sends due to “unsubscribe link color contrast” issues, despite previously working templates.

Common Problem:

  • Error appears when attempting to review/send marketing emails
  • Affects stores that haven’t changed their email templates
  • Issue emerged suddenly around late February 2024

Attempted Solutions:

  • Changing unsubscribe link colors (white to black, various shades)
  • Switching to plain text emails
  • Using true black (#000000) on white backgrounds

Key Finding:
One user discovered the issue wasn’t the unsubscribe link itself, but other text elements in the email lacking sufficient contrast. Another found hidden text matching the background color. The error message may be misleading about which specific element needs adjustment.

Current Status:

  • Some users resolved it by checking all text elements for proper contrast
  • Others still experiencing issues despite meeting contrast requirements
  • Shopify support has escalated at least one case, acknowledging the contrast appears adequate
  • Frustration expressed about unclear compliance requirements and lack of specific guidance on which elements are failing

Recommendation: Systematically review every text element in the email template for contrast issues, not just the unsubscribe link.

Summarized with AI on October 30. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Good day to you all. Our Cost Plus Nutrition store has never had any issues with sending emails out to our online shoppers until today and I’m hoping that there is an easy solution.

When I attempt to “review” the email, an error pops up claiming that I need to “adjust unsubscribe link color contrast”. The color contrast for the link and text has always been set at #ffffff (white) on a green background.

I have tried to update the color code for the link and text to black on green, used different shades of green, among other things and it still is asking that I adjust the unsubscribe link color. We have always had this template, so I’m unsure why.

Any guidance would be most appreciated.

Zach

2 Likes
2

Try a plain text email instead of design. It’ll probably have better deliverability too!

3

I had the same issue, just put them as black #00000

4

Having the same issue and can’t change the colour

5

Feb 23 - having the same issue! Changed the color over and over and it won’t let me send.

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6

Feb 24 - Same issue here. This has to be a Shopify issue with so many of us having issues at the same time. Frustrating!

2 Likes
7

I’m having the same issue - did anyone work out a work around at all please? Don’t know what to do now :disappointed_face:

2 Likes
8

Just ran into the same issue and figured it out! It wasn’t the unsubscribe text—I had that set to true black (#000000) on a white background. The problem was actually other text in my email. I went through each element and made sure there was high contrast between the text and its background. I had some black text over a light blue background, which I suspect was the culprit.

Basically, double-check every section and ensure all text has strong contrast against its background. Hope that makes sense! Let me know if this helps!

2 Likes
9

Same issue here. All my text is black and all my backgrounds are white. Still getting the issue…

1 Like
10

Update. What I wrote wasn’t true! There was some hidden text the same colour as my background! So i think its legit and not a bug.

11

Running into the same issue, have you found a solution?

1 Like
12

I have the same issue and Shopify tech support is escalating the issue. I have a black background with a white “Unsubscribe” link - even styled the link with x-large font. In other words, I have met the contrast and font size criteria but the error still persists. Even the Shopify tech support rep said that the contrast was more than fine. The biggest problem I have with all of this is why is Shopify sticking their noses into the content of OUR marketing emails - is Shopify the ones who violate some sort of Unsubscribe email rules? I thought it was we vendors who either comply or do not comply with the CAN-SPAM Act, not Shopify for individual stores. If Shopify legally has to render this error, then they need to provide an easy pathway for store owner compliance. This is very frustrating!