Gmail is the most widely used free email service, with almost 1.8 billion users globally. Understandably, reports that Google is erasing Gmail accounts can generate concern. Google only deletes accounts that have not been used for a long time.
Google has a regulation about unused accounts. If an account hasn’t been used in two years, Google may remove it. This includes everything on the account, such as emails, images, and documents.
The primary reason Google deletes inactive accounts is for safety. Google prioritizes email security by preventing spam and hacking attempts. However, accounts that have not been used in a long time are more prone to be hacked. This is especially true if the account has a weak password or does not utilize additional security measures such as two-factor authentication. According to Google’s research, unused accounts are significantly less likely to use these security features.
How to Keep Your Gmail Account Active
If you want to keep your Gmail account, you just need to use it occasionally. Here are a few simple things you can do:
– Send or read an email.
– Share a photo or watch a video on YouTube while logged into your account.
– Use Google Drive or Google Search.
Doing any of these things every now and then will keep your account active. If it’s been a long time since you last logged into your account, it might be a good idea to check your account’s security settings. This will help make sure your account has the right protections and doesn’t get deleted by Google.