Managing multiple accounts can be a hassle, especially when you’re required to create new accounts on websites but don’t want to juggle several email inboxes. Fortunately, Gmail offers clever tricks that allow you to “visually” change your email address without losing access to your existing inbox. Here’s how you can tweak your Gmail address while still receiving emails sent to it.
Gmail’s Address "Tricks"
Gmail’s unique features allow you to modify your email address in three simple ways. These tricks make it easy to manage accounts while keeping emails organized in one place:
Table of Contents
1. Use Two Domains: Gmail and Googlemail
Gmail users automatically have access to two domains for their inbox:
youraddress@gmail.comyouraddress@googlemail.com
Both addresses direct emails to the same inbox. This can be helpful if a website doesn’t accept “@gmail.com” for some reason or if you want to appear to have a different email address while using the same inbox.
2. Add Dots to Your Address
You can add or remove dots anywhere in the portion of your address before the “@” symbol. For example:
youraddress@gmail.comyour.address@gmail.comy.o.u.r.a.d.d.r.e.s.s@gmail.com
All of these variations are treated as the same address by Gmail. This trick is perfect for creating a visually different email for registrations while keeping emails in the same inbox.
3. Use the "+" Sign to Add Words
Gmail also allows you to add custom words or tags after your email address using the “+” symbol. For example:
youraddress+shopping@gmail.comyouraddress+work@gmail.comyouraddress+newsletters@gmail.com
Emails sent to these addresses will still land in your primary inbox. This is particularly useful for sorting emails. For instance, you could filter all emails sent to youraddress+shopping@gmail.com into a specific folder automatically.
Why These Tricks Are Useful
- Simplify Account Management: Use the same inbox while maintaining different login identities.
- Organize Emails: Use custom “+” addresses to categorize emails for easier management.
- Avoid Spam: Create disposable addresses with “+” when signing up for websites you suspect may send spam.
Final Thoughts
Gmail’s flexibility with email addresses offers a convenient way to simplify your online presence and keep your inbox organized. By leveraging these tricks, you can visually change your email address for specific purposes while still ensuring all emails land in one place. It’s a small feature with powerful potential!
