Did you ever think a fun email address like McLovin!1976!@gmail.com would haunt you during job applications? Google is stepping in to help users look more professional. They now allow you to change your Gmail username—the part before @gmail.com—without losing access to your account.
The catch? You can only change it once a year. For instance, someone could switch from sk8tergrl123.1986@gmail.com to something like elisa.beckett@gmail.com, giving their email a more mature look.
Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, mentioned this feature could help users say goodbye to usernames that don’t fit their current life. He noted users can keep their old email addresses, so they won’t miss any messages. They’ll still receive emails sent to both addresses, and all their data—like pictures—will remain intact.
Currently, this option is only available in the U.S., and Google hasn’t announced if it will roll out globally.
Changing your email is easy. You just go to your settings, click on personal info, and then select the option to update your account email.
The evolution of email addresses reflects how we use them today. Originally, they served to send messages. Now, they are essential for everything from logging into accounts to applying for jobs. In fact, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, around 75% of people believe a professional email address can boost their chances in job applications.
As we adapt to a tech-savvy world, having an email that matches your professional persona makes sense. It’s part of building your personal brand in today’s digital landscape.
For further details, you can check Google’s official announcement on this change.
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