Recently, a screenshot began circulating online, claiming that Google was about to bid farewell to Gmail. Panic ensued, and users started sharing the news, fearing the imminent demise of their beloved email service.
“After years of connecting millions worldwide, enabling seamless communication, and fostering countless connections, the journey of Gmail is coming to a close. As of August 1, 2024, Gmail will officially be sunsetted, marking the end of its service. This means Gmail will no longer support sending, receiving, or storing emails.”
This hoax has been circulating for years, and it’s easy to see why people might believe it. After all, Google has shut down several other services, such as Google Reader and Google+. However, there needs to be evidence to suggest that Gmail is going anywhere.
Thankfully, the panic was short-lived. Google swiftly addressed the rumor, putting Gmail users’ minds at ease. The official Gmail account on X responded succinctly: “Gmail is here to stay.”
Someone took some old news and turned that into a hoax.
“Google is not sunsetting Gmail entirely, but it is sunsetting the basic HTML version of Gmail.”
The basic HTML version is the bare bones version no one really uses anymore.HTTPS://T.CO/01ESZX7TVL
— aka stardust (@a_k_a_stardust) FEBRUARY 22, 2024
Google has repeatedly stated that Gmail is a core product and has no plans to shut it down. In a 2017 blog post, Google’s VP of Gmail, Javier Soltero, wrote:
“Gmail is not going away. We’re committed to providing the best email experience possible and working on new ways to improve Gmail.”
It’s important to note that while Google has a history of discontinuing underused or underperforming apps and services, Gmail is one of the core pillars of Google. Almost every Google Account in existence is tied to a Gmail account. Therefore, it’s doubtful that Google would ever shut down Gmail.
The hoax may have been more believable because Google announced last year that Gmail’s classic “HTML View” would disappear in 2024. This simplified experience needed to be updated regarding features, but it served as a decent backup option for those who only needed a bare-bones view of their inbox. However, outside of this minimal change, Gmail will continue to work as expected for years to come.
Google recently announced the shutdown of the Google Pay app in the United States, favoring Google Wallet. So, yes, changes happen, but Gmail isn’t part of that shuffle.
So, dear Gmail users, rest assured. Your trusty inbox isn’t going anywhere. Keep sending those cat memes, work emails, and heartfelt messages—it’s all safe and sound in Gmail’s virtual embrace. And remember, sometimes even the internet falls on an excellent hoax, but Gmail remains steadfast.
