Turn Gmail Into a Reading List: A Simple Guide

Leveraging Gmail as a Reading List Organizer

For frequent Gmail users, the platform offers a wealth of functionality extending beyond simple email communication.

We’ve previously explored numerous ways to maximize Gmail’s potential as a multitasking hub.

However, it remains remarkable how this accessible, cost-free email service can be adapted for diverse applications.

Creating a Daily Reading List Within Gmail

This article details a practical method for utilizing your Gmail account to curate and systematically arrange your daily reading materials directly within your inbox.

Instead of relying on separate bookmarking tools, Gmail can serve as a centralized repository for articles and web pages you intend to review.

This approach streamlines your workflow and ensures easy access to your desired content.

By effectively managing your reading list within Gmail, you can enhance productivity and stay organized.

Conveniently Send Articles to Your Email

Google Chrome: Utilizing the "Email This Page" Feature

The "Email This Page" functionality provides a swift method for composing an email, automatically populating it with the page's title and any text you’ve selected. This allows you to highlight key information and easily recall the reason for saving the article to your reading list.

Furthermore, it can be configured to consistently employ the Gmail interface for composing new messages, regardless of your default email client.

This is an official extension developed by Google, however, some users have reported encountering occasional bugs. In certain instances, the extension failed to direct them to the "compose mail" screen, performing no action at all. Hopefully, these are only temporary issues.

Firefox: The "Email Yourself!" Addon [Currently Unavailable]

This addon was specifically designed for the purpose of emailing content to yourself. Unlike its Google Chrome counterpart, it eliminates the need to manually input your email address each time.

It facilitates emailing the link, title, and selected text of the current webpage to your Gmail account. Upon installation, a toolbar icon or keyboard shortcut initiates the creation of a new Gmail message pre-filled with the page's details.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Access

For Windows and Linux Users: ALT+Windows+Tilde (~)
For Mac Users: Options+Command+Tilde (~)

Prior to utilizing the extension, two preferences require adjustment:

Input your Gmail address.
Define a personalized identification message, which will be appended to the email subject. The default setting is "-Sent via Email Yourself!". Consider using a phrase like "TO READ LATER" instead.

An Alternative Firefox Addon: Mozilla F1 (featuring Gmail integration).

Cross-Browser Compatibility: Leveraging "Notes For Later"

“Notes For Later” transmits the highlighted text, the page link, and the time of access to your email address. This functionality is implemented through a browser bookmarklet. A unique bookmarklet is generated for each browser following registration.

Clicking the bookmarklet allows you to add a brief note or immediately dispatch the article:

The application will send the link and details, as well as a PDF version of the page content for offline access.

Another Option for Multiple Browsers (Including Mobile): JoliPrint

Streamlining Your Gmail Reading Experience

The average person receives a significant volume of email each day. Effectively managing your Gmail reading list is therefore crucial. Utilizing Gmail filters is a highly effective solution for this purpose.

Begin by establishing a new label designated as "READING LIST". Subsequently, configure filters to automatically label emailed links, potentially bypassing the inbox to minimize clutter.

When employing extensions like "Email this Page" or "Email Yourself" – which facilitate sending links to your own email address – a filter must be created for all messages originating from and addressed to yourself.

For tools categorized as "Notes For Later" – those that dispatch emails from their official addresses – filters should be set up based on the sender's email address.

Ensure that all filtered correspondence is directed to your newly created label, while simultaneously being excluded from your primary inbox.

Upon completion of an item on your list, simply remove the star from the corresponding email to signify its completion.

Have you previously leveraged your email system for organizing reading materials? We invite you to share your strategies and insights in the comments section below.

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