Twenty years ago, on April 1st, 2004, a monumental truth overshadowed April Fools’ Day: Google launched Gmail. Initially, many internet users dismissed it as a prank, a common occurrence from the tech giant on that date. However, Larry Page and Sergey Brin turned the concept of email into a reality, birthing what would become the planet’s most popular email service.
The standout feature of Gmail in the mid-2000s was its colossal 1 GB storage space. While it might seem modest by today’s standards, it was up to 500 times larger than the offerings of other providers at the time, some of which provided a mere 15 MB and even charged for additional storage.
With capacity for 13.5 thousand emails compared to Yahoo or Microsoft’s 60, Google revolutionized email accessibility. Moreover, Gmail allowed for attachments of up to 25 MB and could be accessed from any browser, unbound by desktop applications.
Empowered by Google’s search prowess, Gmail facilitated easier retrieval of old emails. It introduced the concept of threaded conversations, streamlining communications on similar topics.
Initially, gaining access to Gmail required an invitation. It wasn’t until 2007 that Google opened the email service to the public. Subsequent years saw the introduction of features such as themes, automatic email categorization, smart replies, summaries, and one-click unsubscribe buttons.
Gmail in 2024
Over the years, Gmail not only popularized cloud computing but also pioneered the use of Javascript AJAX, enhancing email dynamics. This innovation led to automatic inbox updates, reducing the need for manual refreshing and combating unwanted emails and spam.
Currently boasting 1.2 billion users, Gmail encompasses one-seventh of the world’s population, with approximately 1.8 billion active accounts. Each user enjoys 15 GB of free storage, applicable not only to emails but also to other Google applications like Photos and Drive.
Despite its substantial size, there remains a segment of users requiring additional storage space. Herein lies Google’s revenue strategy, offering additional storage to users who, two decades ago, were content with a mere 1 GB for their messages.
