Leaving Google has actively improved my life

Leaving Google has actively improved my life

27 Feb, 2026

In May of 2023, Google introduced “AI overviews” into their search engine. This followed years of decisions leading to worse search quality and the consummation of their mission to answer every query on Google instead of sending you to outside sites. This was upsetting but something I groaned about and then moved on.

Then, in January of 2026, Google introduced generative AI into their Gmail inboxes. For me, this was the last straw. I decided it was time to leave Google.

My email is now clean

I always thought I loved Gmail. Turns out I just had the habit of typing in “gmail.com” in my search bar. I honestly can’t tell you a single feature of Gmail that I miss.

I used to let the algorithms sort my emails, but I realized this actually sucks. This is a “feature” that Gmail touts, but when I stepped back for a second I realized it’s not something I ever wanted. I sort my emails and have filters, but I’ve never wanted an algorithm to my email for me.

I can't think of any other differentiating features in Gmail. Ads in my mail? Nostalgia?

The email service I decided to switch to is Proton. But ultimately there are tons of great non-Gmail services around, some other notable ones being Fastmail, Tuta, and Mailbox. But this isn’t an article about how to de-Google or what services you should use, and all of these services are better than Gmail.

Leaving Gmail also gave me the opportunity to start implementing better digital hygiene. I no longer give my primary email to fly-by-night sites, and I'm deliberate with what things I'm signing up for.

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