Recent reports indicate that Gmail started blending promotional messages with user mail, presenting ads that resemble ordinary letters while clearly marked as advertisements. This change has been observed across both desktop and mobile apps, according to coverage from tech outlets such as Neowin.
Users noted ads appearing directly in their inboxes, sometimes in a way that mirrors regular messages. The ads are labeled with an advertisement tag, making them easy to distinguish from genuine mail, yet their placement within the inbox has prompted discussion about user experience and intrusion into routine email flow.
Some readers expressed frustration as they perceived an uptick in advertising activity within Gmail, sharing concerns on social networks about how this affects email organization and productivity.
A user on social media commented that the change complicates the goal of keeping inboxes tidy and asked for options to minimize ad visibility or move sponsored content away from incoming messages.
Another commenter urged the company to reconsider ad placement so it does not interrupt the arrival of legitimate emails, suggesting a clearer separation between messages and advertisements to preserve usability.
At the time of reporting, Google had not issued a formal statement addressing these observations or questions from users about the new ad format.
Earlier coverage from tech outlets mentioned that Google faced comparisons to a fictional villain when discussing the company’s direction, highlighting the growing debate about the balance between monetization and user experience in popular email services. These discussions reflect broader concerns about how major platforms integrate advertising into everyday tools used for communication and work.