Have you ever wondered how spam gets into your inbox? Are you worried that the companies you’ve given your email to may be selling or leaking your data? There’s a very simple and powerful trick in Gmail that allows you to create unlimited email aliases and, more importantly, track exactly who has shared or leaked your address.
How do Gmail «infinite» aliases work?
Technically, they’re not new accounts, but variations of your main address. Gmail ignores any text you add after a plus sign (+) in your email address.
- Your real address: correoejemplo@gmail.com
- Valid aliases (all arrive in your inbox):
- correoejemplo+netflix@gmail.com
- correoejemplo+trabajo@gmail.com
- correoejemplo+descuentos@gmail.com
All emails sent to these variations (+whatever) are delivered directly to your original address (correoejemplo@gmail.com’s inbox).
🕵️ The Power of the Trail: Identify the Culprits
The real magic of this trick is the ability to identify the source of a leak or unexpected spam.
Step 1: Assign a Unique Alias
Every time you sign up for a service, newsletter, or online store, use an alias that clearly identifies that site.
- To sign up for Amazon: Use tucorreo+amazon@gmail.com
- To register with Telefónica: Use tucorreo+telefonica@gmail.com
- For a new mobile app: Use tucorreo+appmovil@gmail.com
Step 2: Track the Leak
If one day you start receiving spam or junk mail at the tucorreo+amazon@gmail.com address, you will know with 100% certainty that Amazon (or one of its platforms) was responsible for the leak of your address.
⚙️ Additional Benefits: Organize Your Tray
In addition to security, these aliases are fantastic for keeping your inbox organized.
- Create Automatic Filters: You can set up filters in Gmail so that any email that reaches a specific alias is automatically archived, tagged, or marked as important.
- Example: Create a filter so that all emails addressed to tucorreo+facturas@gmail.com are automatically labeled with the «Invoices 📄» label.
- Separate the Personal from the Commercial: You can use an alias for all your purchases (+purchases), another for social networks (+rrss) and another for less important subscriptions (+newsletters).
Conclusion: A Simple Step to More Privacy
The next time a website asks for your email, take a second to add the plus sign and the name of the company. It’s a small effort that provides you with a powerful tool for managing your privacy and organizing your email.
