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Goodbye Gmailify: Why Google Is Ending POP Support (and What to Do Next)

by with No Comment BusinessUpdates
Reading Time: 2 minutes

For years, Gmail has doubled as a universal inbox. Whether you were managing a Yahoo address, an old Outlook account, or a business email like hello@yourbrand.com, Google’s Gmailify and POP fetching features made it easy to keep everything in one place.

That era is coming to an end.

Google has now confirmed that these legacy connection methods are being phased out. If your workflow depends on Gmail’s “Check mail from other accounts” feature, it’s time to prepare for a change.

Here’s what’s happening and how to adapt without missing a beat.

The Timeline

This isn’t an overnight shutdown, but the clock is ticking:

  • Early 2026: New accounts will no longer be able to connect via Gmailify or POP.
  • Late 2026: Existing connections will stop syncing entirely.

If you’re still using these tools, 2026 is your hard deadline.

What Exactly Is Going Away?

Two long-standing Gmail features are being retired:

  1. Gmailify
    This allowed non-Google email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) to behave like native Gmail inboxes.
  2. POP Fetching
    Found under “Check mail from other accounts,” this decades-old method pulled email from external servers (like GoDaddy or Bluehost) into Gmail at regular intervals.

Both relied on outdated technology that Google no longer wants to support.

Why Google Is Making This Change

In short: security.

Google is standardizing around OAuth and IMAP, which are far more secure and reliable than POP.

  • POP is one-directional. It pulls messages but doesn’t sync folders, labels, or read status across devices.
  • OAuth uses secure access tokens instead of sharing passwords, dramatically reducing the risk of account compromise.

From Google’s perspective, legacy protocols are a liability and they’re finally being retired.

How to Stay Connected (Without Losing Convenience)

You don’t have to give up a centralized inbox. Here are three practical alternatives, depending on your setup.

1. Move to Google Workspace (Best Long-Term Option)

If you use a custom domain for business, the cleanest solution is hosting your email directly on Google Workspace.

Your business email becomes a native Gmail account. No fetching, no linking, no workarounds. It’s more professional, more secure, and improves deliverability to clients and customers.

2. Switch to Automatic Forwarding

Instead of having Gmail pull messages every 15 minutes, configure your external provider to forward email directly to Gmail.

This approach:

  • Delivers messages instantly
  • Avoids POP entirely
  • Still allows you to reply using Gmail’s “Send mail as” feature

For many people, this is the simplest transition.

3. Use the Gmail Mobile App

Interestingly, the Gmail app on iOS and Android will continue to support third-party accounts.

Because the app uses IMAP (not POP), you can add external accounts directly and switch between inboxes inside the app, no desktop changes required.

The Bottom Line

Legacy email protocols are officially on borrowed time.

If you see POP3 or Gmailify in your Gmail settings, consider this your notice: 2026 is the cutoff. Migrating now gives you time to test, adjust, and avoid disruptions later.

Block Editor vs. The Giants: A Look at WordPress Web Builders

Block Editor vs. The Giants: A Look at WordPress Web Builders

by with No Comment DesignDevelopmenteCommerceUpdatesWordPress
Reading Time: 2 minutes

The WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg) has come a long way, but it’s not the only player in the WordPress web builder game. Popular page builders like Elementor, Divi, and Beaver Builder offer alternative approaches to website design. So, how does the Block Editor stack up against these giants? Let’s break it down.

The Block Editor (Gutenberg): Native Power

  • Pros:
    • Core Integration: It’s built into WordPress, meaning it’s always compatible and doesn’t rely on third-party plugins.
    • Lightweight: Compared to some page builders, the Block Editor tends to be lighter, resulting in faster loading times.
    • Cost-Effective: It’s free! No additional plugin purchases are necessary.
    • Future-Proofing: It’s the future of WordPress, so continued development and improvements are guaranteed.
    • Patterns: Core patterns are becoming very powerful, and allow for rapid page creation.
  • Cons:
    • Learning Curve (Initially): While improving, it can still feel less intuitive than some visual drag-and-drop builders for beginners.
    • Feature Limitations (Compared to Others): While rapidly expanding, it may not have all the advanced design features of dedicated page builders.
    • Theme Dependence: Some themes are better optimized for the Block Editor than others.

Elementor: Visual Drag-and-Drop Mastery

  • Pros:
    • Highly Visual: Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface is incredibly user-friendly, allowing for precise visual design.
    • Extensive Feature Set: It offers a vast library of widgets, templates, and design options.
    • Theme Builder: Elementor Pro allows for complete theme customization, including headers, footers, and archive pages.
    • Large Community: A massive community provides ample support, tutorials, and third-party add-ons.
  • Cons:
    • Performance Impact: Elementor can add significant overhead, potentially slowing down your website.
    • Cost: The Pro version, which unlocks many advanced features, is a paid subscription.
    • Plugin Dependence: Reliance on a third-party plugin means potential compatibility issues.

Divi: The All-in-One Solution

  • Pros:
    • Visual Editing: Divi’s visual editor provides a seamless drag-and-drop experience.1
    • Theme and Builder Integration: Divi is both a theme and a builder, offering a cohesive design experience.
    • Extensive Template Library: Divi provides a massive library of pre-designed templates and layouts.
    • Powerful Customization: Highly customizable, allowing for intricate design control.
  • Cons:
    • Learning Curve: Divi’s interface can be overwhelming for beginners.
    • Performance Impact: Like Elementor, Divi can add overhead to your website.
    • Cost: Divi is a premium product with a one-time or annual fee.

Beaver Builder: Stability and Reliability

  • Pros:
    • Clean Code: Beaver Builder generates clean, efficient code, minimizing performance impact.
    • Reliability: Known for its stability and reliability, making it a favorite among developers.
    • User-Friendly: A straightforward and intuitive interface.
    • Theme Agnostic: Works well with most WordPress themes.
  • Cons:
    • Feature Set: While powerful, it may not have as many flashy features as Elementor or Divi.
    • Cost: Beaver Builder is a premium plugin.

Which One is Right for You?

  • Block Editor: Ideal for users who prioritize performance, core WordPress integration, and cost-effectiveness. Great for those who are willing to learn the new workflow.
  • Elementor: Best for those who want a highly visual, feature-rich drag-and-drop experience.
  • Divi: A good choice for users who want an all-in-one theme and builder solution with extensive customization options.
  • Beaver Builder: Recommended for developers and users who value stability, reliability, and clean code.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical skills. Consider your priorities and choose the builder that aligns with your goals.

accessibility logo on notepad

Designing for Accessibility: Inclusive Web Development Strategies

by with No Comment BusinessDesignDevelopmenteCommerceMarketingUpdates
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Creating a website that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities, is not just a good practice—it’s a necessity. Designing for accessibility means ensuring that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with your website effectively. This not only broadens your audience but also enhances the user experience for everyone. This post will explore key inclusive web development strategies.

Why Accessibility Matters:

  • Reaching a wider audience: Millions of people worldwide have disabilities that can affect their web browsing experience. By designing for accessibility, you tap into a significantly larger market.
  • Legal compliance: In many regions, accessibility is a legal requirement for certain websites, particularly those of government agencies and public institutions.
  • Improved SEO: Search engines prioritize websites with good user experience, which includes accessibility. Accessible websites often rank higher in search results.
  • Enhanced user experience for everyone: Many accessibility features, such as clear navigation and alternative text for images, benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.
  • Ethical considerations: Designing for accessibility is simply the right thing to do. It promotes inclusivity and equal access to information and services.

Key Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG):

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards for web accessibility. They are organized around four principles, known as POUR:

  • Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
  • Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
  • Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. 
     
  • Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. 
     

Practical Strategies for Accessible Web Development:

  • Semantic HTML:

    Use HTML elements for their intended purpose. This helps assistive technologies understand the structure and content of your website. For example, use <nav> for navigation, <article> for articles, and appropriate heading tags (<h1> to <h6>).

  • Alternative Text for Images (Alt Text):

    Provide descriptive alt text for all images. This allows screen readers to convey the meaning of the image to users who cannot see it.

  • Keyboard Navigation:
    Ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone.
  • Sufficient Color Contrast:
    Use sufficient contrast between text and background colors to make it readable for people with low vision. WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
  • Clear and Consistent Navigation:
    Use clear and consistent navigation menus and site structure.
  • Captions and Transcripts for Multimedia:
    Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio content.
  • Form Accessibility:
    Use labels, instructions, and error messages that are associated with form fields.
  • ARIA Attributes:
    Use Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) attributes to provide additional information to assistive technologies about dynamic content and interactive elements. 
     
  • Testing with Assistive Technologies: Regularly test your website with screen readers and other assistive technologies to identify accessibility issues.
     

Tools and Resources:

  • WebAIM: Web Accessibility In Mind (webaim.org) provides a wealth of information and resources on web accessibility.
  • W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): The W3C’s WAI (w3.org/WAI) develops accessibility guidelines and resources.
  • Accessibility checkers: Several online tools and browser extensions can help you identify accessibility issues on your website.

Conclusion:

Designing for accessibility is not just a technical task; it’s a commitment to inclusivity. By implementing these strategies, you can create a website that is accessible to everyone, improves user experience, and enhances your online presence. It’s an investment that benefits both your users and your business.

Author

Toyinsola Lydia

A results-oriented digital strategist with a proven track record of helping businesses achieve online success.

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Kleenex’s New Look: A Rebrand That Feels Timeless

by with No Comment DesignMarketingUpdates

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Kleenex recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a rebrand by Turner Duckworth, modernizing the brand while keeping its iconic identity intact. The new logo features a crown shape housing the wordmark “Kleenex,” emphasizing the brand’s leadership in the tissue space. The rebrand also unifies Kleenex’s global presence by introducing a consistent navy blue color and a bespoke typeface, “Kleenex Serif.” This fresh identity feels timeless, yet familiar, aligning with the brand’s heritage while looking toward the future.

Images credit: Kleenex