Google+ Allows Emailing Other Users, Even If They Aren’t In Your Circle

Whether you realized it or not, earlier this month Google+ is now allowing users to be able to email you without knowing your email address. How it works is simple enough and can be useful if you don’t know someone’s email address – in the address bar, just start typing in someone’s name and the full names and photo will pop up to match who you’re typing.

By default, anyone who is on Google+ will be able to see anyone else and accordingly send them emails. This can be changed in your settings to sharing your information with Extended circles, Circles, or No one.

With the default setting, strangers will only be able to email you once if you don’t reply or add them into your circles. This way they can’t keep spamming you – with that account.

To opt out, log into your Gmail account, and click on the gear which is in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. Choose Settings, stay in the General tab, and find Email via Google+. From here you can choose who can actually email you through Google+. Once you are done, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

More information can be found here: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/3294854?hl=en