Google Gmail What is it, what is it for and how to get the most out of this email service?

Nowadays, Google is one of the most recognized companies in the world.whose main product is a search engine It allows you to have a considerable amount of information at hand. In addition, said company stands out for providing different services to users to optimize your experience and among the most popular are: YouTube, Google Maps and Gmail.

In the case of gmail, was conceived since 2004 as a totally free email service that advertised an available memory capacity of 1GB, while other mail providers only provided a few megabytes, at the time. Thanks to that, Gmail quickly became famous and as of 2007, it is available to the public.

Thus, this service Google has been classified as the most widely used free email provider in the world. Therefore, it is worth specifying what does it consist of and what is it foras well as what are their Applications, how it can be configured to acquire more security, what cheats it supports and some alternatives to it. Which, we will let you know next.

What is Google Gmail and what is this service for?

Basically, gmail consists in a totally free email service available in more than 50 languages which is provided by the search engine Google and integrates different tools that make it a productivity system very effective. In addition, it is characterized by combining the best features of traditional email with the powerful search technology of the company of the G.

Mainly, this mail provider serves as an email box in which it is possible to receive messages and send them, easily, through a browser interface on a home computer. Added to it, has mobile applications that can be run from smartphones and tablets to access email from anywhere. Therefore, thanks to the completeness of this famous email platform, users have the possibility to manage their emails technically and efficiently.

Considering that, in addition to operating as an excellent email manager (importing, sending and receiving), Gmail is also ideal as:

• email organizer: Allows you to prioritize emails, use categories or tabs, as well as use labels Y filtersin order to sort the emails according to a productivity system set by each person.
• contacts organizer: Since it manages to integrate perfectly with other applications of Google, Gmail allows you to create, organize and edit contacts. In addition, it offers the possibility to write quick notes, save files, create and edit invitations to events, write instant messages, make video sessions, etc.

Gmail applications What can I do from this platform?

Once you know what the service consists of gmail of Google, it is valuable to know what are its main uses or applications in order to discern what you can do through this platform to improve your user experience.

Therefore, below, we mention each and every one of the Gmail applications, so that you do not stop trying them:

gmail offline

It is an application of gmail in its beta phase it has the ability to support access without internet connection. Thanks to this, people will be able to view, read, reply, search and archive your emails without being connected to the network. This, thanks to the fact that Gmail synchronizes the messages and actions required once Chrome runs with internet connection.

Todoist for Gmail

Basically, it refers to a novel Gmail plugin or add-on that gives you the possibility to stay organized, in order to acquire greater productivity. Well, through Todoist for Gmail, you will have everything you need at hand in your email inboxin Google Chrome and on your mobile device.

google-calendar

This is a system of dividing time by days, weeks, months and years which is based on the development of an activity based on astronomical criteria. Thus, in conjunction with Gmail, Google Calendar It is used to create agendas and order the different tasks or appointments, as well as to send emails remembering a certain event. Also, it is ideal for create, edit, and accept event invitations.

Google Maps

It refers to a map server on the web that provides the route between different locations, as well as scrolling map images and satellite photos of the world. With this Google service integrated with Gmail, you can include a map in the body of your message, in a matter of seconds.

google drive

To store large or small attachments in gmail, you can use your account google drive. in which, you have 15 GB of storage completely free to enjoy this optimal file hosting service. As a consequence, it is considered one of the most useful alternatives for Gmail users.

Google Docs

if you integrate gmail with Google Docsyou will have the possibility of create documents with any emailwithout need to resort to third-party programs or tools to prepare or manage your written documents. Also, with docs, everybody attachments can be transformed into compatible documents from the Gmail interface. Whereas, this service includes word processor, presentations, spreadsheets and forms editor.

Google Keep

While it is true, Google Keep is an application of Google that has the necessary characteristics so that users manage to organize their information or personal data from the note file. In that sense, with keep Y gmail linked, you can write quick notes and improve your productivity.

Google Contacts

It consists of a tool that simplifies the administration or management of contacts of Google and, by default, is freely available in Gmail. Consequently, it is optimal to be able to create, organize, edit and search contacts, easily.

Google Hangouts

This application of the company of the G works as a cross-platform messaging utility which focuses on unifying different services in a single platform (such services are: Google Talk, Google+ Messenger and Google+ Hangouts). Therefore, it offers the possibility of write instant messages or make video sessions integrating with Gmail.

Learn step by step how to configure your Gmail to make it more secure

A key aspect to be able to have a great user experience in gmail, it’s based on guarantee the greatest possible security in your account on this platform. For which, it is important to make certain configurations that are essential to be able to acquire optimal protection of all the information you handle from there.

Therefore, below, we will let you know what you must do to achieve such security:

Protect your password

First of all, it is relevant that choose a strong password that, by default, is difficult to bring down by hackers operating on the network. If you want to change it, just go to the settings page and Click on the “Accounts and import” tabthere in the section “Change account settings”click on “Change Password” and follow all the instructions to modify it.

Now, to create a really strong password, focus on enter 8 characters minimum and add different elements (letters, numbers and symbols). Also, avoid using keys that begin or end with a blank space and/or use a password that you previously had on your account.

Added to this, it is also worth make sure that the restart and recovery options are safe. For this, from the same tab mentioned above, proceed to select the option “Change password recovery options” and you will be redirected to a new window based on your account security Gmail.

Activate two-step verification

Also known as the “two factor authentication”two-step verification is estimated as an optimal solution for add an extra layer of security to your email account. Since it primarily focuses on protecting your account Gmail in case of loss or theft of the password.

Therefore, when you enable factor data authentication, you will have to perform an additional step to be able to access your account. which is basically based on something you own (such as your mobile device, for example) or any personal and confidential data (such as your password). All this means that, to open your account gmail, compulsorily, it will be necessary to complete a specific second step to verify your identity with the system.

That said, we proceed to explain step by step what you must do to activate said functionality of the service, correctly:

• To start, the first thing you have to do is open your google account as you normally do (or through the link: “https://myaccount.google.com”)
• After that, in the navigation panel that is located on the left side, click on the “Security” option.
• Next, look for the section that says “Sign in to Google” and among the different options available, you will find “Two-Step Verification” so that you click on the arrow it contains.
• Once you do the above, you will have to choose “Start” to follow the steps that appear on the screen and thus achieve activate this additional protection tool.

Check other important settings

In addition to carrying out the two procedures indicated above that are of vital importance to secure, to a greater degree, your account Gmail; is also relevant take into consideration other essential settings and/or configurations to maximize the security of said account.

Here, we mention what they are:

TAB	OPTIONS TO CHECK
Accounts and import	In “Send As”: Check that the specific emails there are owned by you. In “Grant access to your account”: Confirm that there is no unknown third party that can access your email.
Filters and blocked addresses	If you notice any filters that automatically delete your messages, check that you have configured it and not someone else.
POP/IMAP mail and forwarding	In “forward”: Verify that there are no unknown email addresses to which your emails are being forwarded. It also verifies that the other available settings are correct and relevant.

Discover the best Google Gmail tricks you should know

Despite gmail has millions of users worldwide, the truth is that many of these people use the service as a conventional email manager and, therefore, they miss out on getting the most out of the platform. This because of they are unaware of the numerous tricks within the service due to its various functionalities with which it is easier to acquire a quality user experience.

Therefore, so that you can enjoy the advantages that Gmail offers, we present some of the best tricks that exist within the service to make the most of its potential:

Activate Gmail Labs

While it is true, Gmail Labs refers to an area of ​​the email service that is very little known to its users, and therefore most are unfamiliar with it. Nevertheless, has add-ons that can be used from Gmail to acquire additional functionalities and thus, improve the user experience. In this sense, the Labs of gmail are functions of Google that your customers can use in a practical and simple way.

For this reason, it surely calls your attention to enable Labs on the platform and to do so, you must follow the following procedure:

• Access the console administration of Google Y Go to “Applications”.
• Thereafter, Click on “Additional Google Services” and click on Activate.
• Afterwards, press on “Manage services” and select “Change”.

Use Gmail offline

Fortunately, you can also use gmail without internet connection, either while you are on vacation on an island paradise without coverage or when you are traveling on a plane, for example. In addition, it is an ideal trick to be able to manage your email account when you don’t have a WiFi connection nearby and you need to save data on your mobile device.

For its part, to be able to enjoy this solution, it will be necessary to execute the procedure that we indicate here:

• Go to the main page of your email account and click on the cogwheel that corresponds to the Setting, to press the button “See all settings”.
• Next, among all the available configuration tabs, search and click “Offline”.
• Once the above is done, you only have to mark the option that indicates “Enable offline mail”.
• Finally, it only remains select the options available in the different sectionsin order to adapt the configuration to your experience.
• Finally, you must click on “Save changes” at the bottom and voila.

Increase the number of conversations per page

It is considered an extremely useful trick for all those users of gmail that They receive numerous emails, constantly. Since, it allows them to acquire a much broader view of their inbox, without making a notable effort.

This, thanks to the fact that it is carried out through an easy procedure to carry out that consists of:

• access your inbox of gmail and click on the cogwheel at the top to enter “View all settings”.
• After that, among the available tabs, find and select “General”.
• Next, along the panel, you can get a section that says “Maximum page size”. There, you need to change the number of holds you want to be visible on each page.
• Finally, click on “Save Changes”.

It is worth noting that you can choose from 10 to 100 conversations per page.

Use an answering machine

In some cases, it is essential being able to send automatic replies through your emailespecially when it comes to important matters. Fortunately, gmail allows you to benefit from this utility when you can’t access your inbox for a few dayseither for vacation or for any reason.

For this, you can make use of the answering machine of gmail or the option of “Auto Answer” that is capable of sending responses to your contacts, without the need for you to do it manually.

To use it, you will need to perform the following steps:

• open your account of email from gmail Y access the Configuration section.
• Now, click on the “General” tab and go to the bottom of this menu.
• There, you will find the section that says “Auto Answer”to click the box “Auto answer on” with the purpose of enable it.
• Then, manage the range of time you want it to remain activated and also enter the information requested to create your automatic response.
• Finally, click the “Send reply only to my contacts” checkbox, if you prefer it that way. To click on “Save Changes”.

undo send

Fortunately, the email platform of Google also gives you the possibility to undo the sending of the messages, in case you prefer avoid sharing an email or you have introduced an error in it and prefer to go back. Since, with this solution, the emails will be immediately canceled and the recipients will not be able to see it in any way.

To ensure this, the steps to follow are:

• To start, access the configuration window of your account Gmail. This, through the gear icon in the inbox and Clicking on “See all settings”.
• Then go to the tab that says “General” and click on it.
• Next, look for the section that says “Undo Send” and then, select the send cancellation period per second (from 5 to 30 seconds).
• Finally, it only remains click “Save changes” on the bottom.

Schedule emails

Another trick that provides remarkable efficiency to users of gmail, is the option of schedule email delivery. Which, before, was not possible from this platform, so third-party solutions had to be used to carry out this kind of programming.

However, now it is simple to do it as follows form:

• To get started, access your Gmail email accountas you normally do.
• Next, in the upper left corner, Click the button that says “Compose”.
• Now, in the window that they show you, start creating your email. Of course, by entering the recipient’s email address, the subject and the body of the message.
• After that, instead of pressing the button “Send”, you have to press the arrow that appears next to that button. There, the option appears “Schedule shipment” and you have to select it.
• Then it only remains choose date and timeto click again “Schedule shipment” and ready.

List of the best alternative email services to Gmail

Though gmail It is one of the most widely used email services globally. it is not the only solution that exists to manage emails optimally. Since, there are other platforms that also have a notable presence in the sector and provide a good user experience.

For this reason, in this section of the post, we present three recommended alternatives to Gmail:

Mail.Yandex.com

It is an email service that has an extremely intuitive interface and provides unlimited storage to all users. Furthermore, this platform is packed with customization-based featureswith the aim that each user can adapt the experience to their liking and thus acquire greater productivity.

Among other features, we highlight that, YandexMail Allows you to attach files of any type and from up to 30 MB in a single email. Additionally, add a document viewer that offers the possibility of opening the files directly in the mail, without having to use third-party tools. Also, it is worth noting that it is completely free, It is ideal for both personal and work use. and it is easy to use.

Zoho.com

It has been listed as one of the best email services suitable for the business world, but it is also a great solution for traditional users. Since, it provides a completely free personal version that contains no ads and provides a total of 5 GB of storage. Added to this, it stands out for its excellent management around collaborative work, since it presents an alternative for link all email accounts from other services.

A) Yes, Zoho Mail it is considered a good alternative for any class of user. Among other features, it is worth distinguishing that this platform has a clean and intuitive interface, it is completely safeallows you to include attachments in emails from up to 20MB and supports IMAP and POP. Also, contains the functions of notes, tasks, bookmarks and calendar.

ProtonMail.com

Another of the best alternatives to gmail, is this email service that stands out for being the most secure platform available on the market to share emailsthanks to the fact that it offers end-to-end encryption and supports the creation of anonymous emails by any of its users. In addition to this, in its basic version, it provides a total of 1GB of storage and this is completely optimal to be able to store both your personal and professional emails.

Likewise, Proton Mail does not include advertising in any of its versions (neither free nor paid), in addition, it is an open source solution It has an intuitive, clean and easy to use interface. On the other hand, for greater privacy, this service allows to establish a two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your user accounts. As well as Gmail also has a mobile application.