Resolving Dotted Version Email Address Assigned by Google for Someone Else

Understanding Dotted Version Email Addresses and Google's Claim

Have you ever received an email addressed to a dotted version of your email address, such as "[email protected]", when you only have one email address, "[email protected]"? This can be confusing, but there is a simple explanation behind it. Google recognizes both the dotted and non-dotted versions of an email address as the same. In this article, we will explore the concept of dotted version email addresses, why you might receive emails addressed to them, and how Google handles them.

What is a Dotted Version Email Address?

A dotted version email address is an email address that has periods (dots) added or removed in the user name part. For example, "[email protected]" and "[email protected]" are considered the same email address by Google. These dotted versions are often referred to as "dot-addresses".

Why Do People Receive Emails Addressed to Dotted Version Email Addresses?

There are a few reasons people might receive emails addressed to their dotted version email addresses:

• Accidentally typing the periods: People may accidentally type the periods in the user name part of an email address, leading to a dotted version they didn't intend.
• Formatting requirements: Some online forms or platforms might require dotted versions of the email address for formatting reasons. If the non-dotted version is entered, the platform may automatically add periods without the user's knowledge.
• Legacy systems: Prior to the adoption of modern email protocols, legacy systems might treat dotted and non-dotted versions as separate email addresses. If a person switches from an older system to Gmail, they may still receive emails from the legacy system addressed to their dotted version email address.

Google's Position on Dotted Version Email Addresses

Google's policy is to treat dotted and non-dotted versions of an email address as equivalent. According to Google, "Google recognizes these as the same email address. If you reply to a message sent to the dotted version of your address, the reply will come from your non-dotted address."

The Impact of Dotted Version Email Addresses

For most users, receiving emails directed to a dotted version of their email address has little impact on their daily activities. Google's policy of treating dotted and non-dotted versions as identical helps minimize confusion. However, it is essential to be aware of the existence of dotted version email addresses and understand how they function to avoid any potential misunderstandings or miscommunications.

Summary and References

Dotted version email addresses, while frequently confusing, simply result from adding, removing, or misplacing periods in the user name part. Google and many other email services recognize these as equivalent to the non-dotted version.

• Google: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/10957
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email_address#Dot-address
• IETF: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc5322#section-3.2.3