# How do I get invited to test Google email? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 3, 2004, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336 "2004-05-03T20:12:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/1 "2004-05-03T20:12:22Z")
I’m sure everyone has heard about Google’s plans to invade the free email market with Gmail. So far, they’ve only invited 1000 users to test it while it’s in its “Beta” stage [[cite](http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5182805.html)]. How did they select these people? Are they employees? Friends of employees? Google Answers users (who must register)? Or did they look for uique IP addresses that search Google with unusually high frequency, and issue an invitation the next time they searched. Most importantly, how come I didn’t get picked, and what can I do about it? ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/2 "2004-05-03T20:56:32Z")
Active users of Google’s blog service were offered first go. Which makes a lot of sense, seeing as they’re the most likely to do some free word-of-mouth advertising. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/3 "2004-05-03T21:01:10Z")
Oh, and a [cite](http://www.webpronews.com/news/ebusinessnews/wpn-45-20040422SomeBloggersAllowedGmailAccount.html). Sorry bout that. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/4 "2004-05-03T21:16:45Z")
I found a blog that was giving invites in exchange for haikus about sandwiches. I got one for mine about bologna on toast. He’s run out since, though. I started a thread in MPSIMS about gmail, and I’d find it and link to it if the board wasn’t so god-forsaken slow now. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/5 "2004-05-03T21:58:24Z")
You can [buy](http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&krd=1&from=R8&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=gmail) an invitation or an actual gmail account on ebay. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/6 "2004-05-03T22:37:53Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > I started a thread in MPSIMS about gmail, and I’d find it and link to it if the board wasn’t so god-forsaken slow now. OK, here it is > **[ny Dopers part of the semi-elite group of Gmail beta testers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=253156)** > > What do you think of it? I’ve been scrounging for an invite, but no luck so far. Likely, I’ll only see it after the public launch. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2004, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/7 "2004-05-03T23:04:48Z")
Wow! Those Gmail accounts on ebay are expensive! It never occured to me that they were transferable, or that I could actually do something at this pont to get one. Now I wish I’d asked this question weeks ago! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/8 "2004-05-04T00:19:17Z")
> [@Alan Smithee](#): > > Wow! Those Gmail accounts on ebay are expensive! It never occured to me that they were transferable, or that I could actually do something at this pont to get one. Now I wish I’d asked this question weeks ago! :smack: Why on earth would you want to pay for something that is either going to be a) Free or b) test horribly and be cancelled? Especially upwards of 250 bucks! I’m eager, but I think I’ll wait. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/9 "2004-05-04T13:37:39Z")
I wouldn’t. But if I’d known, I apparently could have gotten one just for writing a better haiku than **Revtim**. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/10 "2004-05-04T13:52:29Z")
I dunno, man, how can you surpass poetry about bologna? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/11 "2004-05-04T14:47:19Z")
> [@Alan Smithee](#): > > I wouldn’t. But if I’d known, I apparently could have gotten one just for writing a better haiku than **Revtim**. “Just”? It was a classic! My fried bologna two slices, with orange cheese bread often toasted. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/12 "2004-05-04T14:50:34Z")
See what I mean? _wipes a tear from her eyes_ ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/13 "2004-05-04T15:24:41Z")
As smoke wafts from pan, meat and cheese melt together. Worth the heart attack. That Gmail account is rightfully **MINE**!!! :wally 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/14 "2004-05-04T20:16:09Z")
GMail sounds like a neat service but I’d never pay for it. Looking forward to the public release though, anyone know when? ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/15 "2004-05-04T20:24:30Z")
My guess? Well timed to coincide with their IPO. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/16 "2004-05-04T20:30:39Z")
> [@Alan Smithee](#): > > As smoke wafts from pan, > meat and cheese melt together. > Worth the heart attack. > > That Gmail account is rightfully **MINE**!!! :wally 😛 Bah! Didn’t even specify what type of meat was in the sandwich. That qualifies for a Hotmail account, max. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/17 "2004-05-04T20:45:38Z")
_takes a nervous step backwards_ ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/18 "2004-05-04T23:12:44Z")
Dude! It’s haiku, not a limerick! You can’t spell everything out. It’s supposed to be evocative. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/19 "2004-05-05T00:40:19Z")
_Review of Deli-Meat (And we use the term loosely) Poetry_ \*\*SDMB \*\* – Two new purveyors of lunchpail prose have emerged recently, exhibiting fondness for all things brownbagged. Their styles and approach are radically different, occupying opposite ends of the lunchmeat spectrum, but both have strengths that far surpass any this reviewer has seen before. In _Ode to Oscar Mayer_, **Revtim** waxes eloquent about the wonders that is a grilled bologna sandwich. And who can blame him? This dish, once thought haute cuisine, drives any person to new depths, although some blame it on the cholesterol induced reduction of bloodflow. Direct, and to the point, \*\*Revtim \*\* pulls no punches as he brings to mind the taste and texture of our favorite midday repast. On the other hand, we have the always talented **Alan Smithee** , he of more impressionistic approach, his ode, \*A Midsummers Lunch \* is evocative of those lazy, hazy, halcyon days of childhoods past, leaving behind a hint of carefree picnics, and causing one to yearn for a cup of ice cold lemonade. Ahhh, that such talent has been found as a byproduct for that other ode-inspiring subject: free email. Next week, we bring you the reviews of poets who are not ashamed to profess their love for Hotmail, or their yearning for the mystical Gmail. ---
**Author:** ![remisser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@remisser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/remisser)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336/20 "2004-05-10T23:38:25Z")
I still have yet to get a gmail account, but this was a plea I posted somewhere on orkut: There are five simple letters that have been dominating my life in the past month or so: G-M-A-I-L. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? I’m sure you have. I have been trying, in vain, to obtain one of those precious mail accounts that everyone is frothing at the mouth for. My first attempt was to contact google. That yeilded no results. Then, of course, I hired a fleet of trained assassins to storm google headquarters to demand that an account be secured for me and my fellow rebel comrades. What I did not know is that, aside from gmail, blogger, and orkut, google was also beta testing tesla coil powered death rays. Sadly, the entire fleet was wiped out… except for me. Remember, I said they were beta testing the death rays, so some of them didn’t work properly. Next, I tried what everyone else tried: I logged in to my blogger account that I hadn’t used for two years. No invite there. So now here I am. It’s been a long and arduous journey. I am still slumming it with yahoo. Yes, that’s right, Yahoo. The company named after Young Einstein actor, beloved by millions, Yahoo Serious. So that’s why I started this thread. To ask for gmail. If you can find it in your heart to get me an invite, somehow… someway. There’s something in it for you, too! I can invite you to orkut! Oh… wait… you’re already here. Gosh… Well, I guess that wouldn’t work would it? So, I guess I can’t really do much of anything except thank you and worship the very ground you trod on. Does that sound good? I hope so. My email address is [missingfear@yahoo.com](mailto:missingfear@yahoo.com) – I accept any and all of your kind words, even if you don’t have gmail. Perhaps we can console each other. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-invited-to-test-google-email/243336.md?page=2)