Updated August 2026 — this is changing. Google is removing Gmail's "Send mail as" for non-Google addresses in January 2027. Receiving is unaffected; only sending from your domain inside Gmail stops working. What this means and what to do →
TL;DR: Free +tag and dot aliases are instant but stay on your @gmail.com address. For a real branded alias like you@yourdomain.com, you set up receiving at your domain and Gmail's "Send mail as" - no Workspace required, or automate it with SendMailAs.
What "alias" actually means in Gmail
People search "Gmail alias" wanting one of two different things:
- A filtering alias - a variation of your existing address for signups and rules, like
you+shop@gmail.com. Free and instant, but still your Gmail address. - A real second address - a different mailbox identity you can receive at and send from, ideally on your own domain, like
hello@yourbrand.com.
Both are possible without Google Workspace. The one you want depends on whether you need a label or a brand.
Free Gmail aliases: the +tag and dot tricks
- Plus tags: anything after a
+is ignored for delivery but visible to you.you+netflix@gmail.comandyou+bank@gmail.comboth land in your inbox, and you can filter on them. - Dots: Gmail ignores dots in the username, so
you.name@gmail.comequalsyourname@gmail.com.
These are perfect for organizing signups and catching who leaked your address. The catch: they still expose your @gmail.com, so they do not look professional and you cannot use your own domain.
A real alias on your own domain (no Workspace)
To get an address like hello@yourbrand.com that works inside your existing Gmail, you need two pieces - the same two Workspace was doing for you:
- Receiving - route mail sent to your domain into your Gmail inbox (Cloudflare Email Routing does this free, and a catch-all rule gives you unlimited addresses).
- Sending - add the address in Gmail's Settings > Accounts > Send mail as with an SMTP relay, so replies go out as your domain.
The full step-by-step - DNS, SMTP, and the authentication records that keep you out of spam - is in the Cloudflare Email Routing + Gmail Send As guide.
The easy way: unlimited domain aliases in 5 minutes
Doing the receiving-plus-sending setup by hand is fiddly, and the authentication records are where most people slip up and land in spam. SendMailAs automates the whole thing:
- Routing, SMTP credentials, and SPF/DKIM/DMARC configured automatically - no DNS expertise, about 5 minutes.
- DKIM aligned to your domain, so aliases send cleanly with no "via" label and land in inboxes.
- Unlimited addresses and domains, all inside the Gmail you already use. First domain free, $49/year for unlimited.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. On a free Gmail account you can make instant aliases with the +tag trick (you+shop@gmail.com) and dot variations. For a real branded alias on your own domain (you@yourdomain.com) you do not need Workspace either - you set up receiving at your domain plus Gmail's 'Send mail as' for sending, or use a service like SendMailAs that automates both.
A +tag alias is just your existing @gmail.com address with a label - you cannot change the domain. 'Send mail as' lets you add a completely different address, including one on your own domain, and send from it inside Gmail. For a professional you@yourdomain.com address, you want Send Mail As, not a +tag.
Not for business use - they still show your @gmail.com address, just with a +tag. They are great for filtering and signups. If you want an address that looks like your brand, you need a custom domain alias, which requires receiving at the domain and Send Mail As for sending.
As many as you want. With a catch-all rule on your domain, every address (hello@, billing@, you@) routes to your inbox, and you add the ones you want to send from in Gmail's Send Mail As settings. SendMailAs supports unlimited addresses and domains on the $49/year plan.
Aliases on your own domain
Send and receive from unlimited addresses on your domain, inside your existing Gmail - no Workspace, no new inbox. First domain free.
Related guides
How to Send Mail As Your Custom Domain in Gmail (Free, with Cloudflare)
The complete receiving-plus-sending setup for domain aliases.
How to Cancel Google Workspace But Keep Your Email
Keep your domain addresses after you drop the Workspace bill.
How to Add an Alternate Email Address in Gmail (3 Ways)
+tag alias, second account, or custom domain - which one you actually want.