Why Dots in Gmail Addresses Don’t Matter; But Could Lead to Privacy Risks

Google’s Gmail has a unique feature that might seem quirk but can lead to privacy issues: dots in email addresses don’t matter

Google’s Gmail has a unique feature that might seem quirk but can lead to privacy issues: dots in email addresses don’t matter. According to Google’s official support page, whether or not you add dots to a Gmail address makes no difference—the email will still reach the intended account. For example, if your address is “abc@gmail.com,” variations such as “a.bc@gmail.com” or “ab.c@gmail.com” will still route to you. It helps avoid lost emails but can also lead to potential privacy risks. Consider a scenario where you own the address “abc@gmail.com” while another user has “ab.92.c92@gmail.com.” If someone mistakenly sends an email to “ab.c@gmail.com” rather than the correct address, that sensitive information will land in your inbox. Such errors can result in receiving private details like bank statements, credit card information, or even OTPs intended for another person, creating risks for both privacy and security.

It’s worth noting, however, that this “dot doesn’t matter” rule doesn’t apply to Gmail addresses from organizations or educational institutions, where dots do distinguish email addresses. Google assures users that these incidents don’t compromise Gmail’s security—only you can access your email. If you receive emails that appear misdirected but not malicious, Google recommends notifying the sender. You should mark the email as spam or phishing if it seems suspicious. For subscription emails, consider unsubscribing to prevent further messages. Users can better safeguard their privacy by staying aware of this Gmail feature and taking recommended actions.