Gmail debuts a ‘Purchases’ tab to monitor packages, tariffs, and more

Gmail’s new “Purchases” tab is for those of us who like to know where each and every package is, right now — and in the age of tariffs, it’s not such a bad idea.

Beginning today, Google is adding a new dedicated “Purchases” tab that will organize all of your purchases-driven emails into a single location. If you have a personal Gmail account, the new tab view will begin showing up today for those who access Gmail on the web and via the mobile app, Google said.

You’ll still see some of the same emails show up in your inbox, clustered at the top, as well as in a summary card — a view that sums up an action item, such as an invitation, task, or order. (Summary cards are turned off in the EU and UK.)

Gmail’s new Purchases tab doesn’t sound like a bad idea, and not even if you’re expecting a bunch of different shipments during the holidays or at other times. With tariffs, the end of the de minimis loopholes, shipment delays, foreign refusals to ship packages to the United States, and other obstacles, a single tab for keeping track of what is where seems like a smart idea.

Google is also revamping its existing “Promotions” tab, with the idea that it will promote “relevant” promotions at the top of the tab. “Soon, you’ll be able to sort by ‘most relevant’ promotional emails, making it easier to see updates from senders and brands that matter most to you — including ones you engage with the most,” Google said in a blog post. “We’ll also incorporate helpful ‘nudges,’ will highlight upcoming deals and timely offers so you don’t miss out.”

Users can decide to accept Google’s revamped view, or else chose to continue seeing “most recent” promotions instead.

The new Promotions tab will be confined to the mobile app for now, Google said, and will roll out to users in the coming weeks.