Top 10 Gmail Hacks to Boost Work Efficiency in 2024

As we say goodbye to 2023 and step into 2024, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve with the latest Gmail hacks and tricks that can streamline your email management process. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 10 Gmail hacks that you should start using today to become a true Gmail Master.

1. Automatic Sorting Filtering: Organise Your Inbox Effortlessly

@digitalchrista

Say goodbye to inbox clutter with this Gmail hack! 🙌 Organize your emails like a pro by setting up automatic filters to sort them into separate folders. 📁 Step 1: Login to your Gmail account and open your inbox. Step 2: Check the box on an email that falls into a category you’d like to create Step 3: Now, to create a filter, click on the 3 dots in your menu and select “Filter Messages Like These” This will open the “Create a filter” pop-up. Click “Create Filter” Step 5: In the next window, select the checkbox for “Skip the Inbox (Archive it)” and “Apply the label”, then create a new label. Step 6: Check “Also apply filter to these emails” Step 7: Click on “Create filter” to save the filter. That’s it! From now on, any new emails that match the criteria you set in the filter will be automatically labeled and skipped from your inbox. You can find these emails under the label you created on the left-hand side of your screen. #gmailtips #productivityhacks #emailorganization #greenscreenvideo

♬ original sound – christa 💻 digital organizing

Gmail‘s automatic sorting filtering feature is a game-changer Gmail hack when it comes to managing your inbox efficiently. By creating filters in the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab, you can automatically categorise emails from specific senders or with certain subject lines. Whether it’s archiving, labelling, forwarding, or deleting, these filters help you maintain a clutter-free inbox without missing important emails.

2. Stars and Markers: Prioritise with Precision

Take control of your email prioritisation by utilising stars and markers. These visual cues, represented by square, star, and rectangle symbols, allow you to mark conversations as “Important.” By customising the significance of these markers, you can quickly identify the urgency or priority level of each email, ensuring that you stay on top of critical tasks.

Related: Latest Gmail Allows Users to Reply Emails Using Their Favourite Emojis 🤩

3. Power Search Operators: Find What You Need Faster

Email search is broken. Here is how you can search smarter, no matter whether you use Gmail, Outlook or Apple Mail. https://t.co/db6kZKLp3v

— WSJ Life & Arts (@WSJLife) January 17, 2024

Gmail’s search function is a powerful Gmail hack, and mastering the use of search operators can make it even more efficient. Utilise operators like “from:”, “-“, and “has: attachment” to refine your search and locate specific messages swiftly. This not only saves time but also ensures that you retrieve the information you need without getting lost in a sea of emails.

4. Themes for Personalisation: Make Gmail Your Own

@pythianpriestess

Make your emailing experience a little ✨witchier✨ on gmail by setting a the theme to planets 🪐🌍🌕 trust me you won’t regret it. #planetarymagick #planetarymagic #gmail #gmailtips #astrologytok #dailywitchytips #dailywitchcraft #astrologythings

♬ original sound – Pythian Priestess

Enhance your Gmail experience by personalising it with themes. In the Settings menu, explore the Themes option, offering a variety of pre-made photos and background colours. You can even upload your own photo as a background image. While this may not directly impact your email writing skills, a personalised Gmail theme can bring a positive vibe every time you open your inbox.

5. Drafts Feature: Safeguard Your Unfinished Work

Ever accidentally closed your Gmail tab while composing an email? Fear not, as this Gmail hack features Gmail’s Drafts feature automatically saves your work. Whether you’re working on future emails or need to preserve your work in progress, the Drafts folder ensures that you can seamlessly resume your email composition without missing a beat.

Have A Read: Sheryl Sandberg Steps Down: Reflecting on a Significant Legacy and the Bright Future at Meta

6. Mark Emails for Google Learning: Tailor Gmail to Your Preferences

Learn more about the research behind Smart Compose, a new feature in Gmail that uses machine learning to interactively offer sentence completion suggestions as you type, allowing you to draft emails faster → https://t.co/1cyrOPQsvT pic.twitter.com/M0YRQQETnF

— Google AI (@GoogleAI) May 16, 2018

Google’s machine learning can work in your favour if you consistently mark emails in a certain way. By default, Google learns your preferences and adapts to your email habits. Whether it’s starring emails with specific keywords or addressing them in a particular manner, marking your emails consistently helps Google tailor your inbox organisation to your unique standards.

7. Undo Sent Emails: Regain Control Over Your Outbox

@leo_hustle

This Gmail trick is a lifesaver 🛟 You can undo sent messages! #gmail #gmailtips #gmailtricks #onlinebusiness #onlinebusinesstips

♬ original sound – Leonardo Ariza

One of the most valuable Gmail hacks is the “Undo Send” feature. Located in the General Settings menu, enabling this option grants you a brief window to recover or cancel a sent email. This feature is a lifesaver for those moments of impulsiveness or when errors slip through. Set the delay period to 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds, giving you ample time to undo any unintended actions.

8. Different Coloured Stars: Customise for Clarity

Building upon the use of stars, take it a step further by customising them with different colours with his Gmail hack. In the General Settings menu, you can add more stars in various colours, allowing you to categorise emails based on different levels or types of importance. This visual distinction adds clarity to your inbox, making it easier to identify and prioritise crucial messages.

Also Read: Elevating Australia’s 2024 Outlook with the Top 10 Anticipated Tech Trends

9. Keyboard Shortcuts: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Efficiency meets convenience with Gmail’s keyboard shortcuts. Activate this feature in General Settings and gain the ability to perform tasks with simple key combinations. Send emails with CTRL + Enter, delete messages with #, or add a conversation to your task list with Shift + t. These shortcuts streamline your workflow, saving precious time and effort.

10. Inbox Customisation: Tailor Your Inbox Layout

Optimise your inbox layout under the Inbox tab in settings. Tailor the default sorting to prioritise your most important messages. Whether it’s listing unread emails first, starred emails first, or prioritising “Important” messages, customising your inbox tabs ensures that you have quick access to the categories that matter most to you.

Read More: AI Email Generator Threats: 3 Ways to Avoid in 2023