Gmail groups let you send one email to multiple people at once by using a single address

A Gmail group is a saved list of email addresses that you can send to all at once. Instead of typing five or ten addresses into the "To" field every time, you type one group name. Gmail has two ways to do this: Google Groups (which creates an actual group email address that anyone can join or that you control) and contact groups (which are private lists you keep in your own contacts). For most people organizing personal email, contact groups are simpler and faster to set up.

Contact groups live in Gmail's Contacts app and take about two minutes to create. Google Groups are more powerful but require more setup — they create a real email address, let people join on their own or by invitation, and keep a shared archive of messages. Choose contact groups if you just want to email the same people regularly. Choose Google Groups if you want a shared inbox, a discussion space, or a group that other people will join.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact groups are the fastest way to email the same people repeatedly — create one in Gmail Contacts in under two minutes.
  • Google Groups create an actual group email address and shared message archive, which is useful for teams or communities but takes longer to set up.
  • Contact groups are private to you; only you can see who is in them and only you can send to them.
  • You can add people to a contact group one at a time or by uploading a list, and you can edit the group anytime to add or remove people.

How to create a contact group in Gmail Contacts

Open contacts.google.com in your browser. On the left side, you will see a menu. Click "Create label" or "Create group" (the wording varies by browser and device). Type a name for your group — something like "Book Club" or "Monthly Team Check-in". Press Enter.

Now add people to the group. Click the group name you just created. Click the "Add members" button (usually a plus sign or the word "Add"). You can type in email addresses one at a time, or paste a list of addresses separated by commas. As you type, Gmail will suggest contacts you have already emailed. Click each person to add them. When you are done, click "Save" or close the dialog.

To send an email to your group, open Gmail and start a new email. In the "To" field, type the group name. Gmail will show it as an option — click it to add the whole group at once. Everyone in the group will receive the email, and they will see it came from you, not from a group address.

How to create a Google Group if you need a shared inbox

Go to groups.google.com and click "Create group". Choose a name and email address for the group — this will be the address people email to reach the group. For example, "book-club@googlegroups.com". Write a description so people know what the group is for.

Decide who can join: "Only invited users" means you control who gets in; "Anyone can ask to join" means people can request membership and you approve them; "Anyone can join" means anyone who finds the group can join without asking. For a work team or family group, choose "Only invited users". For a community or public group, choose one of the other options.

Click "Create". Google will give you options for how members can interact — whether they see past messages, whether they can post, whether posts need your approval first. For a team, turn on "View topics" so people can see the conversation history. Then invite people by typing their email addresses. They will get an invitation and can join the group. Once they join, they can email the group address and see all past and future messages in one place.

When to use contact groups versus Google Groups

Use a contact group if you email the same people regularly but do not need them to see each other's messages or reply to the group. Examples: your when ready family, your book club friends, your regular carpool, your work team that already uses email for most communication. Contact groups are faster to set up and do not create a separate email address.

Use a Google Group if you want a shared space where people can see the conversation history, reply to the group, and join or leave on their own. Examples: a community volunteer group, a class discussion board, a team that needs to reference past decisions, a neighborhood group organizing an event. Google Groups also work better if people outside your contacts need to join — they can find the group and request membership without you having to invite them individually.

How to edit or delete a group

To edit a contact group, go to contacts.google.com, click the group name, and click "Edit group" (usually a pencil icon). You can add or remove people, change the group name, or delete the group entirely. Changes take effect when ready.

To edit a Google Group, go to groups.google.com, click the group name, and click "Settings" (usually a gear icon). You can change who can join, who can post, whether posts need approval, and other rules. To remove someone from the group, click "Members", find their name, and click the menu next to it to remove them. To delete the entire group, go to Settings and scroll to the bottom — only the group owner can delete it.

Spotting scams that use group email addresses

Scammers sometimes create Google Groups that look like they are from a real company or organization. A fake group might have a name like "Amazon Customer Support" or "PayPal Help Desk" and ask people to join so they can "resolve an issue". The group address will not match the real company's domain — for example, a real Amazon group would end in "@amazon.com", not "@googlegroups.com".

If you receive an invitation to join a group, check the sender's email address carefully. If it does not come from the official company domain, it is not real. Do not join groups that ask for passwords, payment information, or personal details. Real companies do not use Google Groups to contact customers about account problems — they use official support channels. If you are unsure, go directly to the company's website and contact them through the official support link, not through a group invitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can people see who else is in my contact group?

No. Contact groups are private to you. When you send an email to a contact group, the recipients see only that the email came from you — they do not see the group name or the list of other people who received it. Each person receives the email as if you sent it to them individually.

What happens if I add someone to a contact group and then delete them from my contacts?

They stay in the group. The group holds their email address, not a link to your contact card. If you want to remove them from the group, you have to edit the group and delete them manually. If you later re-add them to your contacts, they will not automatically rejoin the group.

Can I send a Google Group email to a contact group?

Yes. If you have a Google Group's email address (like "book-club@googlegroups.com"), you can add it to a contact group just like any other email address. When you send to that contact group, the message goes to the Google Group address and reaches all its members.

Do I need a Google account to create a Google Group?

Yes. You need a Google account to create or manage a Google Group. If you only have Gmail, you already have a Google account. Google Groups are free, but they require you to sign in with your Google credentials.

Can I export a contact group to use somewhere else?

You can export your entire contacts list from Google Contacts as a CSV file, which includes your groups. Go to contacts.google.com, click the menu (three lines), click "Export", and choose which contacts to read. You can then import this file into another email service or contact manager. However, some services may not recognize the group structure — you may have to re-create the groups manually.