How to Use Gmail's Filtering and Label System Effectively

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If your gmail inbox is taking up huge amounts of space on your screen, this article is definitely a must-read.

• Steps

Labeling

1. Go to the sidebar where it shows the labels like "Inbox", "Chats" etc. etc.
2. Click underneath the little grey bar where it shows your custom labels, and press "Create Label" if you don't see it, try expanding the menu.
3. Create labels specifying different people who email you frequently.

Filtering

1. Skip this step if you know how to create a filter. Beside button that says "Search the Web", there are two buttons; press "Create a Filter".
2. Type in the first person you made a label for' email address.
3. (This step is optional) Where it says "Doesn't have", type "Chat" into the search bar to exclude chats from the label for more space in the label.
4. Press test search to make sure it shows the right emails you want it to (optional).
5. Press "Next Step".
6. Check the "Skip the Inbox" checkbox.
7. Check the "Apply label" checkbox and choose the corresponding name to the email address.
8. (optional) Check the "also apply filter to conversations below
9. Press "Create Filter".
10. Repeat for all of the labels you made.

• Tips
  For quick access, go to Labs, enable multiple inboxes, and apply your labels to the different panes via settings

Source: www.wikihow.com