# Gmail invite-only launch

> Gmail invitations traded for $393,027 in one eBay study.

- Owner: Google
- Kind: App & software
- Sector: Technology
- Seed date: 2004-04-01
- Peak proxy date: 2004-06-22
- Date basis: Proxy date; not a directly measured attention peak.
- Spread Score: 29 (Niche, provisional), v1.3
- Mechanics: Scarcity drop, Identity badge, Resale market, Press loop, Controversy

## Summary

Google announced Gmail's free gigabyte. Readers debated whether it was a prank; invitations then spread through blogs, barter and eBay. A study recorded $393,027 in invitation trades. Google opened worldwide sign-ups in 2007.

## Timeline

- 2004-04-01 — Google (Open web) — Google released a limited Gmail preview with 1 GB of free storage.
- 2004-04-01 — Associated Press (Press) — AP reported Gmail, then received calls and emails saying it had fallen for a prank.
- 2004-04-02 — Kevin Fox (Open web) — Gmail's interface designer confirmed the service was real and linked his screenshots.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/gmail-launch-2004

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Gmail invite-only launch.” Case HIS-01460. Spread Score v1.3: 29/100. Updated 2026-10-23. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01460