Google is deleting Gmail accounts that have been inactive for over two years. If you haven’t used Gmail in a while, you need to take action to keep your inbox. Google is making it clear that unused accounts will soon be deleted. The good news is that you can take a few simple steps to keep your account safe and active.
Earlier this year, Google sent out notices about the **Inactive Account Policy**, which focuses on Gmail accounts that have been dormant for more than two years. This policy also affects other Google services tied to your Gmail account, such as Google Drive, Google Photos, and even YouTube. You might lose access to your emails and other data if you haven’t used these services in a while. But it’s easy to keep your Gmail account from being deleted.
Google is deleting Gmail accounts, but why?
Google is deleting Gmail accounts for security reasons. Old Gmail accounts are more likely to be vulnerable to security threats. Google is cleaning up these accounts to reduce the number of potential security risks on its platform.
Managing billions of active and inactive accounts requires a lot of resources. Google is focusing on efficiency, especially through AI integration. Google is slowly integrating its AI Gemini into many of its tools. Gmail and YouTube are expected to be next. Because AI uses a lot of power, Google needs to save money. If Google is deleting Gmail accounts warning is for you, show that you use it to protect your account.
Easy steps to keep your Gmail account active
A Google Account in use is considered active. The simplest way to do this would be to use the Chrome browser. This is because Google’s browser synchronizes and integrates with your account. Of course, this is not a necessity, as logging in from another browser or most actions you perform while logged in to your Google Account will prevent your account from being deleted. Here are some of them:
- Send an email: To keep your Gmail account from being deleted, you have to send an email at least once every two years. This tells Google your account is still in use. It’s an easy way to keep your account active.
- Use Google services and watch a YouTube video: Another simple way to keep your account active is by using other Google services. Watching a YouTube video while logged into your Google account will show activity. Google counts this as engagement, just like using Google Drive or sharing a photo on Google Photos.
- Use Google Search: Even something as simple as searching for information on Google can help prevent your Gmail account from being deleted. When you perform a search while logged into your account, Google sees this as a sign of activity, helping to keep your account safe from deletion.
- Downloading an app: Eliminates the Google is deleting Gmail accounts issue when downloading an app or game using the Play Store from a phone linked to your account.
What happens if your account is inactive?
If your Gmail account has been inactive for more than two years, Google can delete it. This includes emails, Google Drive files, Google Photos photos, and other Google account information. Google will send you alerts before taking this step. You can sign in and take action to protect your account. The policy will take full effect for accounts after December 1, 2023. This gives users time to review their accounts.
Keep your Gmail account safe by checking it with Google. This process will help you confirm that your account is secure. It only takes a few minutes and helps keep your account safe. Google wants to improve security and efficiency. The Inactive Account Policy shows how important it is to use your account regularly. By taking these simple steps, you can keep your Gmail account safe and enjoy all the services Google has to offer.
Featured image credit: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash
