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Google Drive will soon get its own Spam folder just like Gmail

By Maria Santos
2 min read
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In an effort to enhance user experience and fortify its security measures, Google announced a new update to Google Drive that those that have been plagued by spam will surely appreciate. This update will introduce a new spam folder within Google Drive, which will work similarly to what we have now with Gmail.

Unfortunately, spam and malicious attempts are becoming more common in today’s digital world. In fact, according to Google, it is constantly blocking spam from our email inboxes at a rate of 15 billion unwanted messages daily. Thankfully, these same protections are now being expanded to Google Drive, one of the latest targets spammers and scammers alike have gravitated towards.

To separate legit Google Drive files from potential spam, Google will be adding a new view or folder within the application that will let you sort through and classify them as needed. If an uninvited file finds its way into your spam folder, you’ll be automatically unsubscribed from it, effectively halting any subsequent notifications, such as comments, shares, or mobile push alerts. Once you’ve opted out, the file will be inaccessible from any location in Drive except for the new spam folder, which will live in the left sidebar.

Just like Gmail’s spam folder, Google Drive will automatically scan and reroute files that are highly likely to be unwanted to the spam folder. However, users remain under control and can always manually move files back and forth between their My Drive and Spam folder. Once a file has been in your spam folder for over 30 days, it will be automatically deleted from your Drive.
This update to Google Drive will be available to all Google google accounts, including personal ones, starting on May 24th, 2023. The new Spam folder will be visible on Android, iOS, Drive for Desktop, and the Drive homepage on the web. Note though, that it will undergo an extended two-week rollout starting on the launch date.

Questions & Answers

Q.

How will the new spam folder in Google Drive function similarly to Gmail's spam feature?

A.

Google Drive will automatically scan and reroute highly likely unwanted files to this folder. Users can also manually move files between their My Drive and the new spam folder, similar to Gmail's existing system.

Q.

What happens once a user is unsubscribed from a file in the spam folder?

A.

Once unsubscribed, notifications such as comments, shares, or mobile push alerts will cease. The file will then only be accessible from within the new spam folder itself, not from other locations in Drive.

Q.

When will this Google Drive update become available, and for which account types?

A.

This update to Google Drive will begin its two-week rollout on May 24th, 2023. It will be available for all Google accounts, including personal ones, across various platforms.

Q.

How long will files remain in the Google Drive spam folder before being removed?

A.

Files placed in the spam folder will be automatically deleted from Google Drive after a period of 30 days. This provides users with a window to review and retrieve any legitimate files.

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