I beg you JIRA, stop emailing me!

JIRA sends lots of email, at first I thought they were getting paid for every email they send but until now I haven't found any proof.

There's a couple of ways to lower the amount of emails you get from JIRA but I'll focus on two:

  • Stop watching 
  • Update when an email is sent

Stop watching (allthethings)

This is something you can manage yourself pretty easily. By default JIRA adds you as a watcher to all issues you update, transition, comment on, etc.

By becoming a watcher on an issue you most likely will get an email about every change! By disabling this auto-watcher in your profile preference you take full* control over which issues you watch (and what updates you get from JIRA)

ConfigureAutoWatcherPreferences.gif

* Full control will only be granted if the notification scheme of the project has been setup to only send emails to Watchers of an issue. See the next part of this blogpost: Update when an email is sent

Update when an email is sent

As I mentioned in the first part, when and to who an email is send is completely configurable. JIRA uses a concept called Notification Schemes to do so. I won't go over the details on how to configure a Notification Scheme here but if you want to know more, checkout the very comprehensive documentation of Atlassian: Create a Notification Scheme or this great blogpost from TechSolCom.

In short: a notification scheme configures when (what action) and to who an email will be send. The Default Scheme will send an email for every event to the Reporter, Assignee & Watchers of an issue. I guess you now understand where the JIRA emails are coming from! (wink)

An interesting approach which I'm a big fan of is to limit the emails to be send to Watchers only! This allows all users to decide on an issue per issue basis whether or not they want to keep up to date.

Questions?

Feel free to post them in the questions and I'll be happy to answer them!

I'm already a watcher on thousands of issues, how can I get rid of them?

If you want to see on which issues you already are a watcher you can use this JIRA Filter:

watcher = currentUser()

If you want to remove yourself as a watcher from all these issues you can use the Bulk Edit mode of JIRA (yes I've cut out some frames to make the gif shorter (smile)):

RemoveWatchesInBulk.gif

7 comments

Gustavo Zaera Holo June 16, 2017

Thank you for an extremely useful article. This has been a PIA for me and my colleagues for years!

Deleted user October 21, 2017

How do you stop getting emails from Jira users when you didnt even have a Jira account?

Maarten Cautreels
Rising Star
Rising Star
Rising Stars are recognized for providing high-quality answers to other users. Rising Stars receive a certificate of achievement and are on the path to becoming Community Leaders.
October 22, 2017

Hi @[deleted], 

Can you give me an example of that type of notifications? JIRA has several channels from which emails could be sent:

  • Default JIRA Notifications
  • JIRA Service Desk Notifications
  • Addons
  • ...

Best,

Maarten

Deleted user October 23, 2017

Below are the headers and email body. Someone told me this isn't an Atlassian issue, but since it's an Atlassian user, I feel they're misusing your product. I won't check the link they're sending because if they were legit they'd stop emailing after I replied and asked and offer an unsubscribe link. I'd appreciate it if the user could be taken care of here to stop them from sending these through you.  Thanks

 

Message Body:

spd commented on Service Request SDU-42

Re: s
possible pedophile in your area
ui.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=755B39F&e=BE7458&c=D9F85&t=0&email=5xjwIJLDbpbE

 

Headers:

Delivered-To: chargfox@gmail.com
Delivered-To: noula029+6sz@gmail.com
Received: by 10.28.15.195 with SMTP id 186csp568595wmp; Sat, 21 Oct 2017 07:57:46 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from pphosted.com (opportune-in.wedsbeauty.com. [2a01:4f8:161:5021:a1b5:b520:b1a6:7782]) by mx.google.com with ESMTP id b136si816607wmf.182.2017.10.21.07.57.46 for <chargfox@gmail.com>; Sat, 21 Oct 2017 07:57:46 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.74.72.129 with SMTP id p123csp2528814ooa; Sat, 21 Oct 2017 07:44:24 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from o13.em.atlassian.net (o13.em.atlassian.net. [167.89.127.1]) by mx.google.com with ESMTPS id i96si1205348qtb.455.2017.10.21.07.44.24 for <noula029+6sz@gmail.com> (version=TLS1_2 cipher=ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 bits=128/128); Sat, 21 Oct 2017 07:44:24 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by filter0004p1iad2.sendgrid.net with SMTP id filter0004p1iad2-3372-59EB5D47-A 2017-10-21 14:44:23.611949319 +0000 UTC
Received: from 38d5c48600c4 (unknown [185.166.140.229]) by ismtpd0002p1lon1.sendgrid.net (SG) with ESMTP id Rzs7BMmnRUKN8_TZwvH84A for <noula029+6sz@gmail.com>; Sat, 21 Oct 2017 14:44:23.108 +0000 (UTC)
X-Received: by 10.223.185.33 with SMTP id k30mr5076689wrf.40.1508597866560; Sat, 21 Oct 2017 07:57:46 -0700 (PDT)
X-Received: by 10.200.9.73 with SMTP id z9mr11526964qth.43.1508597064279; Sat, 21 Oct 2017 07:44:24 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=2; a=rsa-sha256; t=1508597866; cv=pass; d=google.com; s=arc-20160816; b=jWozTicqX7ZQqYCQx4qxyXrdMe0MZ4XTdH7NIXcS72yDZXsNPsZekRDVHboegSb11Y mkOKuw7M2tVJqZRXoMrW8H9rho1TomFqJyEKTyTCqnm4YUb/Q3J+oL2bhmJIAX2cpI1H UrRYACwM0JlNlF3slcpS5vPrBF2Da4I9sjyLHzoy1SiKYulBApMif4r1w7uMI+2xpm55 qukwypZ8rOVhK1u1ugbf+Ys68913YnvRZksTyd+9sINcNgzVlE7VvG7F+x/v809K1P1I azPjmh1xjiYSiCmstZvOGCyT0QO6F/r+YxIAvrxHxmUnDuuZT/bE7O7g/1AX/YgptNVB yVTw==
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1508597064; cv=none; d=google.com; s=arc-20160816; b=y67popGOgov6t+Iww2l4+j0OZUTaD5RrCaPcSkATqC/iiOJf6U1/AyiX49s82IwUIo CB+wmoW4e2bhpb5Bqwlu0CxzRgXg5Y4XGPldOD6+74/heLV5m81hz70a+VfmwenBhtjT QpLKTmU2/AEw432DJ0I39g5imumyFw0b97AclRw+apK0ue3RYD7gK33Fq0dh/uBnF+O0 YOPuh8H22MsJpS1ZBoMppa1VIETYD+YK9Fd4vFcpxMNa4oIEVy8G3qUGaJ5TSJuY7u3n kF/vZkCX9y5uWZD16kas92LWN5jLWrIB7ppsHicuLGk2DQw7XqZ8Ea2+UMzSexXNg1ZV kVgA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=2; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com; s=arc-20160816; h=precedence:auto-submitted:mime-version:subject:references:subject :in-reply-to:message-id:to:from:date:dkim-signature:dkim-signature :arc-authentication-results:arc-message-signature:delivered-to :arc-authentication-results; bh=NtX0qiFkodKDCM2Ft0b9nhl5ofjjIOv/vfBS+K3HrlI=; b=U2T90TIZ+HZKKHXdQRByUck+4SMlL6njyMTjJJWrms27e5s0fLphUOKwlL08Q/DjxE 6Q7DN/uEnGR2EyqVq4sVAScL3R2W4yHrgZl51pzp5SbBxvxYPef8RNlBKrmQ8SWx3b3R +2eMmppqvPH/1Sryxall3mDsjd6ecdqIV+l2sCpvpFG5NDDKAJBTBw+s3gdEgjY4mk38 ZGX1HfQAZH7mqy3L3+zljWKylJG5vAXsNQX0YcrXJbtIt0jvs8m8Dt9qhR28knjHvysV uzvTfvZnEfsMYzOna6mnXjIqJJ6jPfuXXMKUkrISHsacQLMmNRDgQEhvVntzOFP5y+mY fJJA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com; s=arc-20160816; h=precedence:auto-submitted:mime-version:subject:references :in-reply-to:message-id:to:from:date:dkim-signature:dkim-signature :arc-authentication-results; bh=NtX0qiFkodKDCM2Ft0b9nhl5ofjjIOv/vfBS+K3HrlI=; b=ktwr7rdeGB3ozyxVsrwB9/kFN59EQAw+HjCvGoYNR7kcoOWVUSaE/I6Ec2mP0Gabn0 mAVk1f+r44/uJoxaM0MWBAjuMlgFewy2eF2pmeJ70qmxQmls6yoHsYzfVcHqJI51qAan xSFBN+5e/ZdEWUocHmbgbVIrOzEQFELRX69Pg02wDz6O8+RQ8rePKbear4k6aVu/gYUZ ryVRCWcWxB/OOaCIEG9Uu2Lw6w+iI2DvbkRrL14YeVscb1d5J5UQZdvN9bHATfSao/nT kenFuWFQlwdNokgHiOfcQ+s9fG0CeyrctUbJAFGPFXua7Yj59QMHAL3jawEgFqHTNAhP S5wQ==
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=2; mx.google.com; dkim=pass header.i=@atlassian.net header.s=s1 header.b=jLgxapxq; dkim=pass header.i=@sendgrid.info header.s=smtpapi header.b=ZOzvnijN; arc=pass (i=1 spf=pass spfdomain=201701confluence.atlassian.net dkim=pass dkdomain=atlassian.net dkim=pass dkdomain=sendgrid.info); spf=neutral (google.com: 2a01:4f8:161:5021:a1b5:b520:b1a6:7782 is neither permitted nor denied by domain of lcvnimnnszezcarfqq@pphosted.com) smtp.mailfrom=lcVNiMnNsZEZCArFQQ@pphosted.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; dkim=pass header.i=@atlassian.net header.s=s1 header.b=jLgxapxq; dkim=pass header.i=@sendgrid.info header.s=smtpapi header.b=ZOzvnijN; spf=pass (google.com: domain of bounces+4043402-8ad6-noula029+6sz=gmail.com@201701confluence.atlassian.net designates 167.89.127.1 as permitted sender) smtp.mailfrom=bounces+4043402-8ad6-noula029+6sz=gmail.com@201701confluence.atlassian.net
Return-Path: <lcVNiMnNsZEZCArFQQ@pphosted.com>
Return-Path: <bounces+4043402-8ad6-noula029+6sz=gmail.com@201701confluence.atlassian.net>
Received-SPF: neutral (google.com: 2a01:4f8:161:5021:a1b5:b520:b1a6:7782 is neither permitted nor denied by domain of lcvnimnnszezcarfqq@pphosted.com) client-ip=2a01:4f8:161:5021:a1b5:b520:b1a6:7782;
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of bounces+4043402-8ad6-noula029+6sz=gmail.com@201701confluence.atlassian.net designates 167.89.127.1 as permitted sender) client-ip=167.89.127.1;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; dkim=pass header.i=@atlassian.net header.s=s1 header.b=jLgxapxq; dkim=pass header.i=@sendgrid.info header.s=smtpapi header.b=ZOzvnijN; arc=pass (i=1 spf=pass spfdomain=201701confluence.atlassian.net dkim=pass dkdomain=atlassian.net dkim=pass dkdomain=sendgrid.info); spf=neutral (google.com: 2a01:4f8:161:5021:a1b5:b520:b1a6:7782 is neither permitted nor denied by domain of lcvnimnnszezcarfqq@pphosted.com) smtp.mailfrom=lcVNiMnNsZEZCArFQQ@pphosted.com
X-Google-Smtp-Source: ABhQp+TkQ7sJIJ8BoMvkHT4WFkcBnRG7HxjQDD0vaVLsWkNL2/JvXa1QR+fO+u1gVGuGsQpNBzrx
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha1; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=atlassian.net; h=from:to:in-reply-to:references:subject:mime-version:content-type; s=s1; bh=qWYq7MweKKc0eenu2VHLZOLZxA0=; b=jLgxapxqnBJJ+w+kT4L7sO6 xJ1U14Yx6F63hajh56i2XSRhs3OExX5RjM0JD62qCbznmuRmRyVwioO+S/3UF0/x 7P0CBpf0e1sRTnfaORfGf/zyO1Pdn0f9A9DklL1DyRnOYZVn/v44uYbp9S9dYZCC cZ0Y13JcNgqX0R9GtFbA=
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha1; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=sendgrid.info; h=from:to:in-reply-to:references:subject:mime-version:content-type:x-feedback-id; s=smtpapi; bh=qWYq7MweKKc0eenu2VHLZOLZxA0=; b=ZOzvnijN2KUdaiU089 gRIh9qr+I8T/BrpiIjTfjKvBfzGDfAQGplWePqNua8KOFZJVFQD1WRsLC9Q+biP7 sZbJhCPQX6mZj5qpjOdeWCzNix3WJUfd4//GhBhn10PrWARgFJlK273yAvQTS8Cb entg6jY3r5WYo5cG03qBriByc=
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2017 14:44:23 +0000 (UTC)
From: "spd (Jira)" <jira@spmdpdd.atlassian.net>
To: noula029+6sz@gmail.com
Message-ID: <JIRA.10041.1508006549000.a192d77a-2305-40c0-8319-193bece6aac7.1508597062779@Atlassian.JIRA>
In-Reply-To: <JIRA.10041.1508006549000@Atlassian.JIRA>
References: <JIRA.10041.1508006549000@Atlassian.JIRA> <JIRA.10041.1508006549841@38d5c48600c4>
X-JIRA-FingerPrint: a0267003ed9facd2d51d0f4e7f1059d9
Auto-Submitted: auto-generated
Precedence: bulk
X-SG-EID: L2rssDoc1/o85VHksGCOhAs6ycdMgAmwC4j3So2d9N40ZagJ3Op4lNnL5HSnW749MzPdxccmhKk3uA ZHvNmKMb3sGHtZ77MpUSnx8o85Eskv6ZXDkEUIN8mmvq9YvyvdOn8N69jkTW4sOcOnLWFCpOXI38oH TLWbGLCNwQqUA6SNYX4jWSXgJiencaIBrO68CE7GxmZsRIL+E1gm0FrZIUa+fPn2ECICjBiEO++let g=
X-Feedback-ID: 4043402:5rXR2CC5i6xQXF3ZviANI3CKVa/1XwB/OQGDu1WVXf8=:5rXR2CC5i6xQXF3ZviANI3CKVa/1XwB/OQGDu1WVXf8=:SG
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----51KI4Y2RAPPXPAK42TOAIIO39T9446"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Maarten Cautreels
Rising Star
Rising Star
Rising Stars are recognized for providing high-quality answers to other users. Rising Stars receive a certificate of achievement and are on the path to becoming Community Leaders.
October 23, 2017

Hi @[deleted],

I'm pretty sure that's an email send by JIRA Service Desk. You probably do have an account on https://spmdpdd.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/user/login?destination=portals

You can login on the url above and see what issues you have access to.

An account is automatically created if you send an email to an address configured to their JIRA Service Desk.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Maarten

Deleted user October 23, 2017

I can't login to that link, but I didn't have an account with them. Never even heard of them til I started getting these emails. Wanted to just contact customer service but no way to do that unless I got an account. 

Nic Brough -Adaptavist-
Community Leader
Community Leader
Community Leaders are connectors, ambassadors, and mentors. On the online community, they serve as thought leaders, product experts, and moderators.
October 23, 2017

You will need to get in touch with them - they have added you as a customer for some reason.

If you can't log in, you should find that there is a "reset password" link which will send you a mail to get it reset.  Then you'll be able to contact them via their Jira to ask why they've added you.

Or possibly just contact them direct.

TAGS
AUG Leaders

Atlassian Community Events