Google on November 1 unveiled a new look for its free email service, inviting users to switch if they like what they see. The new layout has a revamped "conversation view" to make it easier to keep track of who said what in email trails and improved tools for searching mailboxes, which typically serve as storage bins for users.
Google also began providing more insight and control regarding how ad pitches are personalised to users. "We're committed to giving you notice and control over the ads that you see," Google advertising senior vice president Susan Wojcicki said in a blog post. "If you don't wish to see personalised ads, the choice is yours."
Information such as location and search history is used to decide what ads people might find more useful, according to Google. "Over the coming weeks, we're making improvements to provide greater transparency and choice regarding the ads you see on Google search and Gmail."
Google search and Gmail pages will feature "Why these ads?" links that people can click on to explore the reasoning that went into picking the paid messages displayed, according to Wojcicki.
People can use Ads Preference Manager tools to tune systems to their tastes or block messages from advertisers that are of no interest to them.