80+ Gmail Tools & Tips: The Ultimate Collection

A Comprehensive Collection of Gmail Tools and Tips

Four months have passed since our initial Gmail Roundup, and given the widespread popularity of Gmail, a substantial update is warranted. This compilation presents over 80 Gmail tools and helpful tips, encompassing Firefox extensions, Greasemonkey scripts, desktop applications, web-based applications, and comprehensive 'HowTo' guides.

Firefox Extensions

Gmail Manager allows for the management of multiple Gmail accounts. It provides new mail notifications and displays unread message counts directly within your browser’s status bar. As noted by LifeHacker, this add-on eliminates the need to keep Gmail constantly open in a tab.

GmailThis is a useful browser bookmarklet. It enables quick forwarding of highlighted text from any webpage directly through Gmail.

Better Gmail consolidates the functionality of ten separate Greasemonkey scripts into a single Firefox add-on. Features include Google Reader integration, a Mac-like interface, Google Calendar integration, and fixed font options.

GmailSkinz is a powerful extension offering extensive customization options. Users can change the inbox color, add Google IG modules, insert images from Picasa albums, utilize smileys, adjust navigation, and hide unnecessary elements. Note that some users have reported compatibility issues with this add-on.

CustomizeGoogle removes advertisements, switches connections to HTTPS, hides the spam counter and invitation box, and enforces a fixed font.

Gmail Search facilitates direct searching of your Gmail account from the Firefox search bar.

GcalQuickTab enables quick toggling between Gmail and Google Calendar using keyboard shortcuts.

GTDInbox transforms your Gmail account into a flexible and feature-rich ToDo-management service, based on the 'Getting Things Done' methodology.

DragDropUpload provides a convenient way to attach one or more files to emails by simply dragging them over the "Attach a file" link.

The official Google Toolbar features one-click Gmail message searching.

FireGPG integrates contextual menu functions for encryption, decryption, and signing. Further information on its usage can be found here.

Greasemonkey Scripts

(What is Greaseamonkey?)

Gmail Super Clean offers a clean and distraction-free Gmail experience. Its streamlined interface is worth exploring.

Gmail Spam-count Hide conceals the spam count link.

Google Reader Folders adds a box displaying Google Reader folders and the number of unread items in each.

Google Reader Integration provides complete integration of Google Reader into Gmail. For related resources, see the Google Reader Tools and Tips section.

Google Calendar Integration integrates the Google Calendar agenda into Gmail. Explore Google Calendar Tools and Tips for more information.

Conversation Preview allows for quick previewing of message contents directly within the main inbox window.

Saved Searches enables the creation of 'saved searches' (smart folders) displayed in a separate box within the navigation menu. Clicking a search executes the saved query.

Folders4Gmail allows for the creation of nested labels (labels and sub-labels).

Gmail Date Search adds a 'Search by Date' button to Gmail's search form.

GMail Attachment Icons adds attachment icons to emails, visually indicating the attachment type (HTML, JPG, PDF, etc.).

GmailTo forces all 'mailto' links to open in Gmail.

Gmail Macros adds extra keyboard shortcuts to Gmail for common actions like archiving, marking as read, and deleting messages.

Gmail Encrypt encrypts messages to protect their content from unauthorized access.

SSLGoogle forces Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar pages to open via a secure HTTPS connection.

Signature Float moves your email signature to the top of the message.

Attachment reminder alerts you if you mention attachments in your email but forget to include them.

Desktop Programs and Web Apps

GmailDrive (Windows) adds a virtual drive ('Gmail Drive') to 'My Computer'. Dragging and dropping files onto this drive stores them in your Gmail account.

gDisk (Mac) provides a similar functionality to GmailDrive for macOS.

Gmail ToDo is a desktop application for quickly adding and saving to-do items in a 'ToDo' label within your Gmail account.

FlipMail offers a free service for forwarding emails to your mobile device (US Only).

Gmail Loader assists in importing old message archives from other email accounts into Gmail.

Icon Generator minimizes spam exposure by creating an image of your email address for safe publication.

Blogsigs automatically includes the title of your latest blog post in your email signature.

GMail Mobile provides access to Gmail from your mobile device.

Unbl0ck is a web-based proxy for accessing Gmail from restricted locations.

iPhoto2Gmail (Mac) allows instant emailing of images from within iPhoto, with options for original or optimized versions.

MailPlane is a full-fledged mail client for Google Mail and macOS, combining Gmail’s features with Mac’s user interface.

GmailFS is a mountable Linux filesystem that utilizes Gmail as its storage medium.

Gmail Notifiers

- for Windows: GMail Notifier (official), GTray, Notifier2

- for Mac: GMail Notifier (official), GCount, Gmail+Growl 2.0

- for Linux: KCheckGmail

- for Firefox: E-Mail Notifier Toolbar, Gmail Notifier

Gmail HowTo's

HowTo: Build advanced Gmail filters and persistent searches.

HowTo: Import your archived emails into Gmail.

HowTo: Access Gmail account of someone who dies.

HowTo: Force Gmail notifier to use SSL (instead of HTTP).

HowTo: Import contacts from Hotmail to Gmail.

HowTo: Backup your Gmail messages using Google Groups.

HowTo: Create Google Calendar events from Gmail.

HowTo: Set Gmail as default mail client in Ubuntu.

HowTo: Sync. Google Calendar and Gmail contacts to your desktop.

HowTo: Use rich HTML email signatures straight from Gmail.

HowTo: Manage all your email account with Gmail.

HowTo: Back up Gmail with Fetchmail (Windows).

HowTo: Configure and access Gmail on Mozilla Thunderbird.

HowTo: Use Gmail over IMAP and tag your mail.

HowTo: Sync. Micr. Outlook, GCal, Gmail, iPod, and mobile phone.

HowTo: Encrypt and sign Gmail messages using FireGPG.

HowTo: Work with Gmail Attachments like a PRO.

HowTo: Attach and send blocked file types, i.e. '*.exe'.

HowTo: Find that 'someone' who gives away your email address to spammers.

HowTo: Gmail on Home Linux Box using Postfix and Fetchmail.

Gmail Shortcuts

- Secret keyboard shortcut for deleting messages.

- Shortcuts for Special Gmail Labels - for ultra quick navigation

- Gmail Shortcut List: handy, printable list of keyboard shortcuts.

Tips

- Three solid Gmail productivity tips.

- What to do if your Gmail is nearly full.

- Jim'sTips: huge collection of basic gmail tips.