Gmail’s hidden trick: One inbox, endless custom addresses

# What plus addressing is Gmail accepts variations of your address that include a plus sign and extra text after your username. For example, messages sent to yourname+shopping@gmail.com, yourname+bank@gmail.com, or yourname+pcworldgiveaway@gmail.com all land in the same primary inbox as yourname@gmail.com.

# Why it's useful Plus addressing does three practical jobs. First, it simplifies sorting. Create a filter that looks for messages sent to yourname+shopping@gmail.com and apply a label, archive them, or move them to a separate folder automatically. That keeps receipts and promo mail out of your main inbox without manual effort.

Second, it helps you track where your address goes. Use a unique +tag for each signup or service. If a particular +tag starts receiving unrelated spam, you can identify the source that sold or leaked that specific variation of your address.

Third, it gives you control without making new accounts. You don't need to register multiple email accounts or manage additional inboxes to separate categories of mail.

# How to set it up (in plain terms)

• Use that variant when signing up or giving out your email.
• In Gmail, open Settings and create a filter that searches for "to:yourname+shopping@gmail.com" and then choose the action (apply label, skip inbox, forward, etc.).

# Practical examples

• Receipts and promos: sign up with yourname+shopping@gmail.com and route all those emails to a "Receipts" label.
• Site-specific tracking: sign up for a giveaway with yourname+pcworldgiveaway@gmail.com. If spam later arrives at that address, you know which signup likely caused it.
• One-off signups: use a unique +tag for temporary or low-trust services to isolate their messages.

# Limits and workarounds Not every website accepts + in an address. Some sign-up forms reject addresses containing a plus sign or show an error. When that happens you have two choices: use a temporary email service that gives you a disposable address, or provide your regular address if you're comfortable doing so.

Keep in mind Gmail's plus addressing is an organizational and tracking convenience, not a privacy guarantee. Messages still go to your main email and are subject to the same security and storage rules as other mail.

# When to avoid plus addressing

# Bottom line Plus addressing is simple, free, and effective for sorting mail and tracking which sites share or leak your address. Try a unique +tag the next time you sign up for something new. If a form rejects the tag, fall back to a temporary email or your main address depending on how much separation you want.