While a single email account is usually sufficient for most users, there are cases where having multiple email addresses is beneficial. The ease with which it is possible to create a new email address also makes it a hassle-free process. Keeping track of multiple email addresses can be easily managed with clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Opera Mail or Eudora OSE. Free online email addresses are disposable, so if you no longer need a second address, it is easy to close.
Separate Work and Personal Life
A second email address means that you will be able to keep your work and personal mail separate. While it is possible to use labels and filters to sort incoming mail into the appropriate folders, using two separate accounts is less hassle. You do not have to create a new filter for each business or personal contact and you won't run into issues with mail landing in the wrong folders. Having a dedicated business email address from which to communicate with clients or colleagues is also more professional than using your personal account.
Backup
Even with the best security measures, it is possible for determined hackers to gain unauthorized access to your email account. When this happens, you can be locked out of your account. Having a secondary, backup email account will enable you to remain in contact with other people while you work to recover your main account. A secondary email account is also a security measure as password reset information can be sent to this account to verify that you are the owner of the compromised account. When signing up for an email account, you can list a secondary email address to which information is sent in the event that you forget your password.
Keep Main Email Free of Clutter
Many websites or social networks require you to sign up for an account in order to make use of their services. Once you have signed up, you will begin receiving notifications and newsletters, which can quickly clog up your inbox and make it a chore to track down important mail. Having a second email address dedicated to this type of mail will keep the inbox of your primary account cleaner. You can check the mail in the secondary account if and when you need to.
Easy to Transfer or Discard
Having a secondary email address for a specific purpose, such as a work project or particular online service, means you can easily transfer or discard the account when it is no longer needed. If, for example, you are handing over a work project to a colleague, you can give him the email account associated with it instead of having to search and forward individual emails. If you have an email account dedicated to newsletters and notifications for Internet services that you no longer use, you can close the email account instead of having to unsubscribe from each service individually.
Separate Work and Personal Life
A second email address means that you will be able to keep your work and personal mail separate. While it is possible to use labels and filters to sort incoming mail into the appropriate folders, using two separate accounts is less hassle. You do not have to create a new filter for each business or personal contact and you won't run into issues with mail landing in the wrong folders. Having a dedicated business email address from which to communicate with clients or colleagues is also more professional than using your personal account.
Backup
Even with the best security measures, it is possible for determined hackers to gain unauthorized access to your email account. When this happens, you can be locked out of your account. Having a secondary, backup email account will enable you to remain in contact with other people while you work to recover your main account. A secondary email account is also a security measure as password reset information can be sent to this account to verify that you are the owner of the compromised account. When signing up for an email account, you can list a secondary email address to which information is sent in the event that you forget your password.
Keep Main Email Free of Clutter
Many websites or social networks require you to sign up for an account in order to make use of their services. Once you have signed up, you will begin receiving notifications and newsletters, which can quickly clog up your inbox and make it a chore to track down important mail. Having a second email address dedicated to this type of mail will keep the inbox of your primary account cleaner. You can check the mail in the secondary account if and when you need to.
Easy to Transfer or Discard
Having a secondary email address for a specific purpose, such as a work project or particular online service, means you can easily transfer or discard the account when it is no longer needed. If, for example, you are handing over a work project to a colleague, you can give him the email account associated with it instead of having to search and forward individual emails. If you have an email account dedicated to newsletters and notifications for Internet services that you no longer use, you can close the email account instead of having to unsubscribe from each service individually.