Gmail unquestionably stands as the world’s most widely used email platform. Its popularity extends beyond the necessity of accessing Google’s services like YouTube, Google Photos, and Google Drive; it’s favored for its plethora of features, all provided free of charge.
The persistent issue of spam remains an enduring problem on the internet, and while email platform filters strive to minimize it, most users often overlook the option to unsubscribe from promotional emails, new product notifications, and newsletters when signing up for online platforms.
For those who are wary of sharing their primary email address with an unfamiliar platform, creating a temporary email account is one solution. If the platform proves trustworthy and functional, users can subsequently switch to their main account from the configuration settings.
However, these aren’t the only methods, and they may not be the most convenient ones. Gmail offers a robust solution to this problem.
Creating Unlimited Gmail Accounts
The solution doesn’t require extensive tinkering in Gmail’s configuration settings. All that’s needed is to append a plus sign (+), without the parentheses, to the end of your email address. Gmail disregards any text following your email address. As shown in the image below, I used a Gmail account to send an email by adding “+coupon.”
I received the email in my inbox just like any other email sent to my regular email address. This method, along with using a dot (.) anywhere in the email, allows you to enjoy what seems like an unlimited number of email accounts within Gmail. However, it’s important to note that not all platforms that require an email for registration accommodate the use of the plus sign or the dot.
Organizing Received Emails
This Gmail trick for creating seemingly infinite accounts is quite useful when used effectively. By employing the plus sign or a dot, Gmail can automatically categorize and filter incoming emails. When you receive an email with a plus sign or a dot, Gmail can direct it to a specific folder or even send it directly to the trash.
To create filters and better manage your emails, click on the gearwheel icon to access Gmail settings. Then, click “See all settings” and select “Filters and blocked addresses.” Click “Create a filter.”
In the “To” section, enter the email address you want to filter (whether it contains a plus sign or a dot doesn’t matter). Click “Create filter.”
Next, check the “Apply the label” box, and in the drop-down menu, select “New label” to create a folder that will house all emails received at that address. If you add a label for “Facebook,” for example, any emails received at that address will be automatically labeled for quick identification.
You can also check the “Delete” box to have these emails bypass the inbox and go directly to the trash.
Temporary Emails Remain an Option
While this Gmail trick is a handy way to manage emails when using the same address for multiple purposes, temporary emails still serve a purpose. Temporary email services like “10minutemail” provide valid email addresses for a brief period, making them ideal for one-time website registrations or email validations. After the specified time elapses, these emails are automatically deleted.