This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Google's Gmail service has been a game-changer in the world of email since its launch in 2004. With much more free storage than its rivals, it quickly became the go-to choice for millions of users. However, in 2013, Google stopped boosting the storage cap, leaving users to fend for themselves as their inboxes continued to fill up.
Fast forward to 2019, and a recent Bloomberg report revealed that Google's master plan all along was to lure users in with free email storage and then make them pay. The report suggests that Google has been rolling back its free storage offerings in recent months, pushing users onto its paid cloud subscription service Google One instead.
According to the report, even if just 10% of Gmail's over one billion users signed up for Google One, it would generate almost US $2.4 billion per year for the company. That's a lot of money to be paid on people's reluctance to manage their inbox.
So, what can you do to avoid falling victim to Google's free storage trap? The answer is simple: declutter your inbox. Google has even provided some handy tips on deleting masses of emails or finding and deleting the randomly huge emails taking up too much of your space.
But if you're feeling brave, you can always go nuclear and delete your entire inbox. Just be sure to follow up with any important or urgent emails to avoid any potential consequences.
At the end of the day, Google is a business, and it's hoping that you'll sign up for extra storage and then forget about those monthly payments for the rest of your life. Don't do that if you're all about saving some coins – instead, declutter and take control of your inbox.
Want to check your Gmail account status and view the latest storage plans and prices? Visit the Google website for more information.
