UPDATE: You might be here because you heard Google is "sunsetting Gmail" this year, as a fast-spreading hoax online has it. The hoax purports to show an email from Google saying that "the journey of Gmail is coming to a close." Here's one version we spotted on Twitter/X:

Rest easy, though: Gmail isn't going anywhere, but the option for getting to it is, and you can read about that below. Most will have long ago defaulted to the "new" Gmail view, so unless you'd specifically been asking for the "basic HTML" view, nothing should change for you.

Another day, another Google product goes to the graveyard. The company is sunsetting Gmail's basic HTML view, which allows users to look at their emails in a bare-bones state, starting January 2024.

The company upgraded its support page to indicate that Gmail will automatically default to the Standard view after the date set for the feature's end. Users at Hacker News indicated they received an email from Google signaling the end of the feature.

Starting early January 2024, Gmail Basic HTML view for desktop web and mobile web will be disabled," it reads. "The Gmail Basic HTML views are older versions of Gmail that were replaced by newer versions over 10 years ago, and full Gmail feature functionality isn't included.".

Even today, when you try to access the HTML version, Google shows a message pointing out that the version is designed for "slower connections and legacy browsers" and asks you to confirm that you don't want to use the standard version.

The HTML version lacks much of the bells and whistles-including chat, spell checker, search filters, keyboard shortcuts, and rich formatting. However, it might be useful in cases when you are in a low-connectivity area or if you want to just look at emails without any extra bells and whistles. No word yet on whether Google has any plans to add a low connectivity mode.

Google is now focused on pumping AI-powered features into all of its products, including Gmail. Last month the company launched a Duet AI feature to help users write emails. This week, it allowed the Bard chatbot to integrate with Google accounts so you can ask questions about email history.