Has gmail been deleting mail

The eternal concern of email users everywhere!

Yes, Gmail has been known to delete emails under certain circumstances. Here are some scenarios where Gmail might delete your emails:

  1. Trash and Spam folders: Emails you intentionally delete or move to the Trash or Spam folders are permanently deleted after a certain period, usually 30 days. You can recover them within this timeframe by checking the Trash or Spam folders.
  2. Inbox cleanup: Gmail periodically cleans up your inbox by deleting emails that are:
    • Older than 30 days and have not been accessed.
    • Part of a conversation that has been marked as "read" or "archived".
    • From senders you've marked as "not important" or "not spam".
  3. Storage space limitations: If your Gmail account is approaching its storage limit (currently 15 GB for free accounts), Gmail might delete older emails to free up space. You can check your storage usage by going to Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP > Gmail storage usage.
  4. Security and spam filtering: Gmail's algorithms might delete emails that are:
    • Flagged as spam or phishing attempts.
    • Containing malware or viruses.
    • From senders that have been reported as spam or abuse.
  5. Account inactivity: If your Gmail account remains inactive for an extended period (usually 6 months), Gmail might delete your emails as part of their account maintenance process.

To minimize the risk of Gmail deleting your emails:

  1. Regularly check your Trash and Spam folders to recover deleted emails.
  2. Set up filters to automatically move important emails to a separate folder or label.
  3. Use Gmail's "All Mail" label to keep all your emails in one place.
  4. Consider upgrading to a paid account with more storage space.
  5. Keep your account active by regularly logging in and using your email.

Remember, Gmail's email deletion policies are designed to maintain a clean and secure email experience. If you're concerned about specific emails being deleted, consider using third-party email clients or services that offer more control over email storage and management.