Changing your email visibility settings allows you to control who can see your email address when you send messages. There are a few quick and easy ways to update these settings depending on the email service you use.
Why Would I Want to Change My Email Visibility?
Here are some common reasons you may want to adjust your email visibility settings:
- Privacy – If you don’t want your email address displayed to recipients, you can hide it for more privacy.
- Avoid spam – Keeping your email address private can help reduce the amount of spam you receive.
- Professionalism – For business emails, you may want to show your full name but hide your address.
- Control who sees it – Adjust settings so only certain people or groups can view your email address.
Changing Visibility in Gmail
For Gmail users, you can quickly update your email visibility preferences using these steps:
- Open Gmail and click on the Settings gear icon in the top right.
- Select See all settings.
- Go to the Accounts and Import tab.
- Look for the Send mail as section.
- Click Edit info next to your account name.
- Update the Name field to adjust what name shows for recipients.
- Toggle the Treat as an alias switch off to show your email address or on to hide it.
- Click Save Changes when you’re done.
Once you update these settings, the changes will apply to new emails you compose and send. You can repeat this process at any time to adjust your visibility preferences.
Changing Visibility in Outlook
For Outlook users, here is how to modify your email address visibility:
- Open Outlook and go to File > Options > Mail.
- Go to the Send Messages section.
- Under Sender Information, click Edit.
- Adjust the name you want shown to recipients.
- Toggle Hide my email address on or off.
- Select Ok twice to save changes.
Once updated, new Outlook emails will use your new visibility preferences. Revisit these options any time to change settings again.
Changing Visibility in Yahoo Mail
To update your email visibility in Yahoo Mail:
- Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select Account Info.
- Go to Email Address Management.
- Update the name in the Sent From field.
- Toggle the Hide my email address switch off or on.
- Click Save.
Your new Yahoo Mail settings will now apply when you send email moving forward. Change them again anytime.
Changing Visibility in Apple Mail
For Apple Mail, use these steps to adjust your email visibility:
- Open Mail and go to Mail > Preferences.
- Go to the Signatures section.
- Select each signature and click Edit.
- Update the name and email details for each.
- Save changes.
New Apple Mail messages will use the visibility settings you entered. Update them again when needed.
How Do I Keep My Personal Email Private?
If you want to keep your personal email address completely private in most situations, here are a few tips:
- Create a separate business email through your work or a free provider like Gmail.
- Only share your personal email with close friends and family.
- When signing up for accounts, opt to hide your email if possible.
- Avoid including your email on public profiles and social media.
- Set up an email alias or forwarding to share a generic address.
Taking these steps will help you control who sees your personal email address and reduce unsolicited outreach.
Can I Use an Alias Instead of My Main Email?
Yes, you can absolutely use an email alias or alternate address instead of your primary email when interacting online. Here are some alias options:
- Create an alias – Many email providers let you make an alias tied to your account.
- Use a forwarding address – Forward an alternate address to your main email.
- Disposable addresses – Generate a temporary address that forwards mail to your real inbox.
- Anonymous addresses – Special services offer anonymous, shared inboxes.
Using an alias keeps your main email more private and can help reduce spam. Just be sure to check incoming mail to your aliases regularly.
What’s the Best Way to Share My Email Professionally?
When providing your email for business or professional purposes, follow these tips:
- Use a custom domain (like @yourcompany.com) if available.
- Make sure the name matches your brand – e.g. john@, contact@, info@.
- Avoid informal or quirky names if possible.
- Set up a shared inbox colleagues can all access.
- Provide an email signature with your name, title, and contact info.
- Consider hiding your direct address and providing a contact form instead.
Taking these steps allows you to represent your business or brand in a polished, professional manner.
Should I Create a Separate Email for Online Services?
Having a separate email address just for online services and accounts can be a smart privacy and security strategy. Here are some benefits of using a dedicated account:
- Keep personal and account email separate.
- Reduce risk if the address is compromised.
- Avoid spam to your main inbox.
- Easier to track correspondence from services.
- Can compartmentalize or delete without losing personal mail.
If you want to try this approach, set up a new Gmail or Outlook address and use it exclusively when signing up for online accounts, newsletters, services and more.
Should I Use Temporary Email Addresses?
Using temporary or disposable email addresses protects your identity and inbox. Here are some pros of using them:
- Prevent spam from reaching your real inbox.
- Avoid exposing your permanent email address.
- No need to create lots of accounts.
- Easy to delete or abandon addresses.
- Allows anonymous communication.
Some downsides are that you may miss important messages if you don’t check regularly and can’t retrieve messages after the temporary address expires. Overall though, they provide more privacy.
Conclusion
Adjusting your email visibility is a smart way to control privacy and security. Make sure any changes apply the settings you want on new messages going forward. Revisit these settings periodically to modify them as your needs change. With the right controls in place, you can share your address comfortably and conveniently.