Google is going to start deleting inactive accounts shortly

Having a Google account has become extremely common, if not necessary. With various related services like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play, many individuals have multiple accounts linked to different services. However, it’s important to be cautious as Google has recently announced plans to initiate account deletions. In this article, we will explain the reasons behind this decision and explore whether it will impact you personally.

Imagine waking up to find your Google account deleted overnight. The consequences could be significant, resulting in the loss of valuable information. You would lose access to all your Gmail emails, your calendar, your YouTube account, and even your access to Android applications. Such a situation could undoubtedly cause major problems, something we definitely wouldn’t want to experience.

Stay tuned as we delve into the details and implications of Google’s account deletion policy to help you better understand how it may affect you.

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Google will delete inactive accounts

Google has made the decision to address inactive accounts, and the process will begin in December of this year. This move has the potential to impact a significant number of accounts worldwide. Many individuals have multiple Google accounts, with some being used sporadically for specific services or to recover forgotten passwords from older platforms.

But what criteria will Google use to delete inactive accounts? An account will be deemed inactive if it has not been utilized for a minimum of 2 years. Therefore, if you possess an account that you wish to retain but haven’t used in the past 2 years, it will be lost in a matter of months. Avoiding this is quite simple—just make occasional use of the account.

One of the reasons for this initiative is security. Google views older accounts as more vulnerable compared to current ones. This is primarily due to the prevalence of weak passwords that were created long ago, potentially making them susceptible to brute-force hacking attempts.

Rest assured, Google will not instantly delete these accounts. Initially, they will notify users who haven’t logged in for over 2 years, giving them an opportunity to take action. Only after this notification period will the accounts be deleted. If you have a forgotten account that you don’t want to lose, you will receive a message beforehand to alert you to the impending deletion.

What to do to be an active user

To prevent Google from deleting your account due to inactivity, there are several simple actions you can take. According to Google, logging in and using any of their services, such as reading or sending an email, using Google Drive, watching a YouTube video, downloading an app from Google Play, or using Google search, will automatically renew your account for another 2 years.

If you have a subscription linked to your account, such as YouTube Premium, you don’t need to worry about inactivity as these accounts are exempt from the 2-year rule.

Remember, if you have an old Google account that you want to keep, make sure to use it from time to time to avoid having it deleted. By doing something as simple as sending an email or using a Google service, you can easily keep your account active. It’s also worth noting that having multiple accounts is an option if you want to prevent Google from displaying personalized results.