When Google started distributing the new Gmail 2 I figured they would still have some aces up their sleeves. Well, they just revealed one of those aces: color coded labels for your emails! I know a lot of people have been wanting them to add this feature for awhile, and it is finally here.
You must be using the new Gmail 2 interface in order to see the option to color code your labels, which I know some of you are still hesitant about because it breaks many of the existing Greasemonkey scripts. Color coded labels were previously only possible via a Greasemonkey script, so this might ease the transition for some of you.
In the Gmail sidebar you’ll be able to customize the colors for each of the labels via a simple drop-down button. There are 24 color options in total, half of which have dark backgrounds and a light font while the other half have light backgrounds with dark fonts.
Then you should see the color settings instantly reflected in your Inbox:
And the color coded labels will also appear when you’re viewing individual emails (note the “X” button to easily remove labels as well):
I’m curious to hear about what people actually think about the new color coded labels. I think that they might be nice, but it is going to take me a little while to get used to some of the colors I’ve assigned to the labels. Now if only they would find an easier way to assign labels other than using the dumb drop-down menu.
[via Gmail Blog]
You made a good point about the drop-down menu…that’s definitely a slow process.
They should a have small icon that you click on that opens a text box where you can add your label…like in Google Reader.
It’s extremely problematic for me because I have a lot of labels, and the drop-down menu is very small by default. It would even be better if they just let the drop-down menu span the entire height of my browser.
What I think they should really do is recommend tags to me based upon my previous email patterns. Now that would be awesome, and I wouldn’t think all that difficult for them to do.
They could be useful only if you use Gmail filters to label your incoming mail. However the color range is limited… so far.
I am like Chris with a lot of labels. I think the best way I can get used to this by start assigning colors only to the most important labels. Like Bills, Receipts, Blog Contact Form emails, Paypal, etc.
Having said that, I really like that Google is looking at one of the Greasemonkey scripts and implementing them directly in Gmail. Plus, ability to remove tags from within a mail is also nice!
I like them no matter what lengths I am going to to use them. In fact I was using that feature the most with the Better Gmail extension with the old Gmail.
The color selection is limited, but I think they do that because they want to have a good background and font color contrast so that the labels are still readable.
It is definitely smart to take their cues from the Greasemonkey scripts, because then they can see what has already become popular.
Then it has got to be even better for you now! Having the system built-in is easier on the browser than running a Greasemonkey script, so enjoy the little speed boost that you should be experiencing.