It's hard to feel that Gmail isn't due for a major overhaul. Many of Google's other productivity apps, like Calendar, News, and Keep, have been redesigned in the last 18 months. Surely Gmail is next?
When the update does eventually happen, hopefully Google will include some additional filters and inbox management tools. Until then, you'll need to memorize a few search terms if you want to perform some “inbox gymnastics.”
Here are some useful search tricks every advanced Gmail user should know.
1. Find large files
Type size: in the search box followed by a series of bytes to find emails with bulk attachments. It's useful if you're getting close to your storage limit.
2. Find Photos
Stop scrolling through emails from five years ago just to find your favorite vacation snap. Instead, type File type: followed by one of the common image formats JPEG, GIF, or PNG? Image file types explained and tested JPEG, GIF, or PNG? Image File Types Explained and Tested Do you know the differences between JPEG, GIF, PNG, and other image file types? Do you know when you should use one instead of the other? Fear not, MakeUseOf explains it all! Read More
3. Find old messages
Have you ever tried scrolling through emails from last year? How about from three years ago? It takes ages.
Instead, use after:[date] , before:[date] , major:[date] , or most recent:[date] to find messages from a certain period of time.
4. Find important emails
Google automatically adds important branding to emails from people you communicate with frequently.
To find those emails in your inbox, type it's important and hit Enter . All fluff will be filtered out.
5. Find emails from a specific person
Having a hard time finding that one-of-a-kind email from six months ago but can you remember the name of the sender? Type from: followed by the name of the person and you will have it on your screen in seconds.
And remember, one last piece of advice...
All of the common search operators you use on Google every day also work in Gmail. We've covered some of the 10 most useful advanced online searches that make the web so much easier 10 advanced online searches that make the web so much easier Advanced search features on popular search engines help focus your search. Take a deeper dive into these 10 advanced search tools that come with these popular web apps. Read more elsewhere on the site.
