Want to fool scammers? Use your UNLIMITED Gmail addresses

Summary

In this Lifehacker video, Jake introduces a clever trick called 'plus addressing' to manage multiple email addresses from a single Gmail account. By adding a '+' followed by any word or phrase after the local part of the email address, users can create infinite aliases that forward to their primary inbox. This method can be used to track data sharing by companies, identify scammers, and exploit free trials indefinitely. The video offers a simple yet effective way to enhance email management and privacy.

Takeaways

• 📧 Utilize 'plus addressing' to create infinite Gmail addresses by adding a plus sign and custom text after your username but before the '@' symbol.
• 🔍 Plus addressing can help identify data breaches by directing emails from different services to unique addresses.
• 🚫 If you start receiving spam on a specific plus-addressed email, it can indicate that the associated service is sharing your data.
• 💡 Use plus addressing to filter and organize emails by tagging them with the company name, like '[email protected]' for Facebook.
• 🔄 Plus addressing allows you to create distinct email addresses for each service or purpose without needing to set up new accounts.
• 🎯 It's a simple way to manage multiple email subscriptions and keep your primary inbox clutter-free.
• 🛡️ Plus addressing can act as a privacy tool, helping to protect your main email address from spam and unwanted contacts.
• 🔑 You can also use periods within your email username to create a similar effect, such as '[email protected]'.
• 🆓 Plus addressing can be used to get free trials from services that require a new email address for sign-up.
• 🚫 Netflix's potential restrictions on password sharing won't affect your ability to create infinite email addresses for sign-ups.
• 👀 Stay tuned to Lifehacker for more tips on optimizing your digital life and protecting your privacy.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is how to use 'plus addressing' to create infinite Gmail addresses.

What is the purpose of using plus addressing with Gmail?

The purpose of using plus addressing with Gmail is to create unique email addresses for different services, which can help in identifying data sharing practices and also in getting free trials from services that require a new email address.

How does plus addressing work with Gmail?

Plus addressing works by adding a plus sign and any additional text after the local part of the email address and before the '@' symbol, such as '[email protected]' or '[email protected]'.

Why would someone use plus addressing to fool scammers?

Using plus addressing to fool scammers involves creating a unique email address for each service, which can help in tracking if the service is involved in data selling or if the user is receiving spam.

Can you use periods in the local part of the email address like with plus addressing?

Yes, periods can be used in the local part of the email address, such as '[email protected]', and it will work just as well as plus addressing.

How can plus addressing be used to identify if a service is selling your data?

By creating a unique plus addressed email for a service, if you start receiving spam at that address, it can indicate that the service may be selling your data.

What is the benefit of using plus addressing for free trials?

Using plus addressing for free trials allows you to sign up for multiple trials without needing multiple email accounts, as each plus addressed email is treated as a new address by the service.

Is there a limit to the number of plus addressed emails you can create with one Gmail account?

No, there is no limit to the number of plus addressed emails you can create with one Gmail account, making it an 'infinite' solution.

Can plus addressed emails be used for any service or only specific ones?

Plus addressed emails can be used for any service that accepts email addresses for registration or communication, as they are treated as unique addresses.

What is the potential downside of using plus addressed emails for free trials?

A potential downside of using plus addressed emails for free trials is that it may become difficult to manage and keep track of all the different email addresses and associated services.

How does the plus addressing feature help in managing email subscriptions and services?

Plus addressing helps in managing email subscriptions and services by allowing users to categorize and filter emails based on the unique plus addressed identifiers, making it easier to manage and unsubscribe if needed.