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Library/App & software/Gmail invite-only launch
Grade B21 sourcesHIS-01460

Gmail invite-only launch

App & software · 2004 · Notable

45Editable slideCertificate

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

Gmail's expanded conversation view in April 2004, posted by its interface designer Kevin Fox.
Kevin Fox / Google
Gmail Coming Soon
TIME

Spread Score

How it works
ReachNo data yetContagionNo data yetBreadth40Velocity52LongevityNo data yet45

Numbers

Seed to peak proxy
3 months
Apr 1 ’04 to Jun 22 ’04
Platforms
2
Started on Open web
Origin
Seeded
Technology

Mechanics

  • Scarcity dropPrimary
  • Identity badge
  • Resale market
  • Press loop
  • Controversy

How it spread

Trace the origin

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.

Proxy date; not a directly measured attention peak.

Daily Gmail invitation auction closures on eBay2004-06-07: 572004-06-08: 2192004-06-10: 8742004-06-16: 2,7252004-06-22: 4,710Feb ’04MayJulOctMay ’05AugApr ’06NovOct ’07Oct ’08Aug ’09Peak proxyOpen webPress
Open webPress

13 more events on this chart

Join free to see them

Daily Gmail invitation auction closures on eBay: 5 dated figures from Qin Lei / The Journal of Industrial Economics, each checked against the source. Measured at the time, not estimated.

Timeline (16)

  1. April 2004

    Google seed · Apr 1 ’04

    Google released a limited Gmail preview with 1 GB of free storage.[1][2]

    Gmail Coming Soon
    Open the first post ↗

  2. Associated Press press · Apr 1 ’04

    AP reported Gmail, then received calls and emails saying it had fallen for a prank.[3]

  3. Kevin Fox owner response · Apr 2 ’04

    Gmail's interface designer confirmed the service was real and linked his screenshots.[4]

  1. backlash · Apr 6 ’04

  2. platform jump · Apr 29 ’04

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Why it worked

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Origin
Seeded
Sector
Technology
Region
US
Reported figure
—
Evidence
Grade B

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