Gmail Adds Purchases Tab and Overhauls Promotions Sorting
Key Points
- Gmail adds a dedicated Purchases tab for all delivery‑related emails.
- Delivery cards appear at the top of the primary inbox with "See item" and "Track Package" buttons.
- The Purchases view is accessed via the side‑menu hamburger icon on mobile and web.
- Promotions tab now sorts messages by most relevant based on user interaction.
- Nudges alert users to upcoming deals that are about to expire.
- Updates roll out to personal Gmail accounts starting today, with full promotion changes arriving in the coming weeks.
Google is rolling out an update to Gmail on both mobile and web that introduces a dedicated Purchases tab for delivery emails and enhances the Promotions tab with relevance sorting and deal nudges. Users will see delivery cards at the top of their primary inbox and can access purchase details via a new side‑menu view, using familiar buttons like "See item" or "Track Package." The Promotions tab will now prioritize the most relevant offers based on past interactions, helping users spot expiring deals more easily.
New Purchases Tab Streamlines Delivery Tracking
Google is deploying a Gmail update that creates a distinct Purchases tab, consolidating all delivery‑related messages in one place. The feature appears in both the mobile app and the web interface, accessible through the side menu by tapping the hamburger icon at the top of the screen. Within the Purchases view, users can quickly locate information about recent orders without sifting through their general inbox.
In addition to the dedicated tab, Gmail continues to surface time‑sensitive packages as cards at the top of the primary inbox. Each card includes actionable buttons labeled "See item" and "Track Package," allowing users to view order details or follow shipment progress with a single tap, eliminating the need to search for the original email.
Promotions Tab Gets Relevance Sorting and Deal Nudges
The update also revamps the Promotions tab. Gmail will now automatically sort promotional messages by "most relevant," using the same interaction data that determines which brands a user engages with most frequently. This relevance engine aims to surface offers that align with a user’s interests, reducing clutter from less pertinent promotions.
Beyond sorting, the Promotions tab will provide nudges about upcoming deals and offers that are nearing expiration. These nudges are intended to alert users to time‑limited discounts, helping them take advantage of savings before they lapse.
Impact on User Experience
By separating purchase confirmations and shipment updates into a dedicated tab, Gmail reduces inbox noise and simplifies the process of tracking online orders. The inclusion of prominent delivery cards and direct action buttons further streamlines the user workflow, making it easier to monitor deliveries without leaving the inbox.
The relevance‑based sorting of promotional emails and the addition of expiring‑deal alerts aim to make the Promotions tab more useful, ensuring that users see offers that matter most to them while staying informed about limited‑time opportunities.
Rollout Details
The Purchases tab is set to appear in personal Gmail accounts starting today, with the Promotions enhancements arriving in the coming weeks. Both changes are part of Google’s broader effort to improve email organization and enhance the overall utility of Gmail for everyday tasks such as shopping and deal hunting.