Even with all the changes that Google has made to their Gmail service (from allow images automatically to introducing a tabbed inbox), new research suggests that Gmail has the most engaged user base among the four major email providers.
The report released today by Yesmail, Yes Lifecyle Marketing's email marketing solutions provider, finds that 19 percent of Gmail users were active in the past 12 months - compared to 14 percent for Yahoo, 12 percent for Hotmail and 10 percent for AOL. The number of Gmail users is also growing far faster than any other free email service, accounting for more than 40 percent of all new subscribers in the last three months of 2013.
"It is remarkable that Gmail, with its sometimes controversial practices, accounts for close to 15 percent of all database subscribers and, moreover, boasts the most engaged subscriber base," said Michael Fisher, president of Yes Lifecycle Marketing. "This, perhaps counter-intuitive finding, demonstrates the importance of measurement and analysis before marketers deploy new strategies."