How to use the new summary card in Gmail

While texting is the quickest way to get information, email is where you go for more comprehensive details. The problem is: Sometimes you need quick information from your email, whether it's about your next flight, concert, or pet food delivery order. Being the information hunter that it is, Google is fixing that problem with its new summary card updates.

What is the Gmail summary card?

Summary cards aren't entirely new to Gmail. Google introduced them to iOS and Android in 2020, and to its web version before that. Summary cards traditionally appear at the top of each email, such as messages related to online orders or travel. They can highlight key items like confirmation numbers and tracking information.

Improvements to Gmail summary cards

Now, as announced recently on the Google blog, summary cards will have a completely new look, apply to more email categories, and incorporate more 'action buttons.' They'll be dynamic to always provide the most relevant information. For example, with online orders, you might see a tracking estimate while the order is in transit, then information about your return policy when it arrives.

Tip : To be clear, summary cards don't use Gemini to improve your Gmail client. The summary card update is just an improvement in how Gmail parses information.

Google highlighted the following updates to its summary card:

Google Calendar Compatibility

As mentioned in Google's list of updates, Gmail summary cards can easily add events and reservations to your calendar. This feature isn't just for events, though. According to Google, you can also easily add bill payment reminders to your calendar via summary cards.

What is "Happening"?

In addition to the summary updates included in each email, the platform will also introduce a Happening soon section , which will appear at the top of your inbox. This feature is intended to remind you about things like upcoming deliveries, travel, and other bookings.

For those of you worried about the space it might take up in your inbox, Google notes that you're free to delete summary cards at any time. Additionally, on days when you're likely to have more than one notification, Gmail will "stack" them and give you the option to expand or collapse your stack. Google's Help Center also provides advice on how to turn off summary cards entirely.

When to expect changes to Google's summary card

Google has noted that the updates will start rolling out today, but we may see some features before others. For example, the Happening soon section will be introduced in the 'coming months,' while you may see new and improved purchase email summary cards starting today.

On the whole, the update seems like a good thing. As a longtime Gmail user, you can imagine using Google's helpful new summary cards on the way to an event, looking up those parking directions you should have looked up before leaving but didn't have time. Some people, however, may be concerned about privacy. If details are pushed not only to the top of your email but also to the top of your inbox, you might think twice before opening the Gmail app in public. Again, we have to weigh the cost of privacy for convenience.

Marvin Fry

Update 03 October 2024