Google Gmail Seeks To Save Us From Embarrasing Ourselves

Google today promoted on my Gmail home page that it increased its email attachment limit from 10 mb to 20 mb. It’s an awesome feature, and will come in handy during last-minute frenzies to share and edit high-density presentation files with colleagues around the country:

google larger email files

Anyway, that link took me to a “What’s New On Gmail?” page, and I came across this:
gmail embarassment-reducing notifications

“Embarassment-reducing new message notifications” is a funny but accurate way to position the “update conversation” feature. But it also points out opportunities in which to build on “Embarassment-reducing” functionality. Here are some ideas:

  • Incorrect spelling
  • Cliches
  • Vulgarity
  • Warning before responding to everyone when you were blind copied on the original.
  • This one is out there, but…a “smart algorithm” to detect high-involvement or high-stakes messages which might deserve a second read before sending, i.e.: communications with clients, employer prospects, or senior management; “intimate” communications; questionable release of your own or personal information; questionable release of possibly confidential information.

Any builds?

Published by Max Kalehoff

Father, sailor and marketing executive.

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