Jul 8, 2011 07:52 GMT  ·  By

As previously rumored, Gmail will start experimenting with several Inbox types, enabling users to choose the one that they like the most. In the coming weeks, Gmail users will notice a new set of tabs above their regular inbox allowing them to switch between Classic, Important first, Unread first, Starred first and Priority Inbox.

"Over the coming weeks, we're rolling out several new inbox styles to help you manage your mail in the way that works best for you. Once it’s turned on for your account, you can easily choose a style from the tabs at the top of your inbox," Andrew Moedinger, software engineer at Gmail, wrote.

"There are already lots of different ways: some people read everything, some mark messages they need to take action on with stars, and others like to have their important email separated from the rest automatically — something Gmail started offering last year with Priority Inbox," he explained.

The reason for all the options is because different users have different needs, someone with just a few emails every day doesn't need Priority Inbox, in fact, it probably won't even work properly since there is too little data for the algorithm.

The Classic inbox is the one most people are used to and the default in Gmail, it lists all emails chronologically, as they come in. For users with little activity, it's probably the best fit.

Priority Inbox is the second option Gmail users currently have, introduced last summer, it algorithmically sorts emails to surface the ones that are more likely to be relevant to you. This is more suited for those with a lot of messages.

"Important first" is a variation of Priority Inbox, in this mode, important messages are put at the top, regardless if they are read are not. "Unread first" is rather self explanatory, messages you haven't read first are at the top, everything else is below, no other sorting is done.

The last option is "Starred first" which keeps messages you have starred at the top. Gmail will be rolling out these inboxes soon and users will get a chance to try them out to see what fits. If they start using one in particular, after about a week, the inbox tabs will disappear.

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Users will be able to pick their favorite inbox in Gmail
After the tabs disappear, you can switch Gmail inboxes
Open gallery