How to Make a Group Email in Gmail

A Gmail group email lets you send one message to several people by using a saved contact label instead of typing every address. You can create the group in Google Contacts on a computer, then enter its label in Gmail’s recipient field; you’ll need access to the Google account that holds the contacts.

What You’ll Need

A Google account with Google Contacts and Gmail access.
The email addresses of the people you want to include. Add them to Google Contacts first if they are not already saved.
A computer is recommended for creating and managing labels; the Contacts app or website may look different on a phone.

Step-by-Step

Open Google Contacts. While signed in to the right Google account, go to contacts.google.com. Check the account avatar in the upper-right corner; contacts and labels belong to the account you are signed into.
Add any missing people. Select Create contact and choose Create a contact, or open an existing contact to edit it. Enter a name and a valid email address, then save. Repeat for each person who should be in the group. If a contact has multiple email addresses, make sure the address you want Gmail to use is saved on that contact.
Select the contacts for your group. In the contacts list, point to a contact and select its checkbox. Select the checkbox for each person you want to include. You can search by name or email address to find contacts. Review the selection before continuing so you do not include the wrong person.
Create a label. With the contacts selected, select the Manage labels icon, then choose Create label. Type a clear name, such as Project Team or Family Updates, and select Save. Google Contacts may show slightly different controls as its interface changes; look for the label or tag option for selected contacts.
Check that the label contains the right people. Select the new label in the left-hand panel of Google Contacts. Confirm that every intended contact appears, and remove anyone who should not receive the group email. A label is a way to organize contacts, not a separate email account or mailing list service.
Start a message in Gmail. Open Gmail in the same Google account and select Compose. In the To field, begin typing the exact label name. When Gmail offers the matching contact label, select it. If it does not appear, open the recipient picker using the To link and look for the label or search for its contacts.
Choose recipient visibility. Use To when recipients may see one another’s addresses. Use Cc if they should be visible but are not the main recipients. If recipients should not see each other’s addresses, put the group in Bcc; you can put your own address in To if Gmail requires a visible recipient. Keep in mind that Bcc hides the recipient list from other recipients, but it does not make the message anonymous.
Write and send carefully. Add a subject and message, then review the expanded recipient list before sending. Check spelling, links, and attachments, and confirm that the message is appropriate for everyone included. For a large audience, send a brief test to yourself or a small, trusted group first.

Common Mistakes

Creating a Gmail label instead of a Contacts label: Gmail labels organize messages in your inbox. To address a group by name, create the label in Google Contacts and attach the intended contacts to it.
Using the wrong Google account: A label created in one account may not show when composing from another. Check the account in both Contacts and Gmail.
Assuming a label updates itself: A Contacts label includes the contacts assigned to it. Add or remove people when membership changes, then verify the list before sending.
Putting everyone in To without considering privacy: Addresses in To and Cc are visible to recipients. Use Bcc when the group should not see one another’s email addresses.
Choosing a similarly named suggestion: Gmail may suggest an individual contact, an old address, or a different label. Select the group label and inspect the expanded recipients.

Tips

Choose a distinctive label name so it is easy to find while composing and less likely to be confused with an individual contact.
Keep contact names and email addresses current. Remove outdated addresses and check for duplicate contacts before using a group for important announcements.
For recurring messages, review the group membership every so often, especially after a project or event ends.
Use Bcc for a group whose members do not know one another or should not have their addresses shared. If people need to reply to the whole group, explain how to do so; Bcc recipients cannot see the other recipients to use Reply all.
If you need shared management, conversations, or a group address that many people can use, consider whether a Google Groups mailing list is a better fit than a personal Contacts label. It is a separate setup and may depend on account or organization settings.

Troubleshooting

The label does not appear in Gmail: Confirm you are using the same Google account in Contacts and Gmail. Refresh Gmail, click Compose again, and type the full label name. You can also open the recipient picker and search for the label.
Some people are missing: In Google Contacts, open the label and check its membership. Make sure each person has a saved email address and is assigned to the label. Add the contact, then return to Gmail and reselect the label.
Gmail inserts the wrong address: Edit the contact in Google Contacts and correct its email address. If the contact has multiple addresses, inspect the recipient list in the draft and remove any unintended address before sending.
The message goes to spam or does not reach someone: Verify the address with the recipient and ask them to check Spam, Promotions, or other inbox tabs. A sent message does not guarantee delivery; incorrect addresses, recipient filters, and mail-system rules can affect delivery.
You cannot find label controls on a phone: The mobile interface may offer fewer contact-management options. Use Google Contacts in a desktop browser to create or edit the label, then try composing in Gmail again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a group email directly in Gmail?
Gmail can use a Contacts label as a group of recipients, but create and manage that contact label in Google Contacts.

Will recipients see everyone in the group?
They can see addresses in To or Cc. Put recipients in Bcc if you do not want them to see one another’s addresses.

Does the group label have its own email address?
No. A Contacts label is a shortcut to the addresses assigned to it, not an address people can email.

Can I add someone to the group later?
Yes. Open the label in Google Contacts, add or assign the contact, and use the updated label the next time you compose.

Can I use the same group on my phone?
Usually, if you are signed into the same Google account. If the label is difficult to select in the mobile app, create or check it in Google Contacts on a computer and try Gmail again.

What is the difference between a Contacts label and Google Groups?
A Contacts label helps one account address a saved set of contacts. Google Groups can provide additional group features, such as a shared group address, depending on its setup and permissions.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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