Gmail can automatically create labels for travel emails, but you can't make a standalone "Travel" label yourself in 2026.
How do I create labels in Gmail 2021?
In 2026, you create labels in Gmail by going to Settings > See all settings > Labels > Create new label.
Here's how to do it: On desktop, open Gmail in any browser. Click that gear icon for Settings, then pick "See all settings." Jump over to the Labels tab and hit "Create new label." Give it a name and save it. Mobile users just tap the three-line menu, scroll down to "Labels," then tap "Create new" in the Gmail app. Labels are super handy for organizing emails beyond the basic "Inbox" or "Sent" piles.
Can I create my own labels in Gmail?
Yep, you can totally make custom labels in Gmail through the Labels section in Settings.
Fire up Gmail on your computer, click the gear icon for Settings, then "See all settings." Head to the Labels tab and click "Create new label." Name it and hit "Create." Want to organize them hierarchically? Just check "Nest label under" and pick a parent label. Your custom labels will show up in the left sidebar under "Labels."
Is there an app for Google travel?
Nope, there's no standalone Google Travel app as of 2026—its features are baked right into Google Maps and Google Search.
Platform
Status as of 2026
Alternative
Android
No dedicated app; features moved to Google Maps
Use Google Maps for trip planning
iOS
No dedicated app; features moved to Google Search
Check Google Search for travel details
What is a reserved system label in Gmail?
Reserved system labels are Gmail's built-in labels that users can't create or delete.
Think of "Inbox," "Sent," "Drafts," and "Spam." These are baked into Gmail's DNA and help organize emails automatically. You can slap these labels on emails, but you can't touch them otherwise. Even trying to name a custom label the same as a system one? Gmail won't let you.
Why can’t I see my labels in Gmail?
Your labels might be hidden, accidentally deleted, or stuck in a sync limbo across devices.
First things first: check if they're just collapsed in the left sidebar. That three-line menu might be hiding them. If they're completely gone, you may have deleted them. No worries—just recreate them in Settings > Labels. Sync gremlins can sometimes make labels vanish temporarily. Try refreshing the page or signing out and back in to shake things loose.
What is the difference between labels and folders in Gmail?
Labels work like folders but let you tag emails with multiple labels instead of locking them into one place.
Traditional folders keep emails in one spot. Labels? They're more like sticky notes—you can slap "Work" and "Travel" on the same email. Then you can find that email under either label. Labels live in the left sidebar, and clicking any label shows all tagged emails. Honestly, this is the better system once you get used to it.
How do I manage labels in Gmail?
Head to Settings > See all settings > Labels on desktop to manage your labels.
Hover over a label in the left sidebar, click the three-dot menu, and pick "Edit" to rename or nest it under another label. Want to ditch a label? Click "Remove label." You can even reorder labels by dragging them in the Labels settings. Mobile users: tap the three-line menu, go to "Labels," and manage from there.
Can I create folders in Gmail?
Gmail doesn't do folders—labels are your best bet for folder-like organization.
Labels in Gmail do everything folders do, and more. To make one, go to Settings > Labels > Create new label. Apply these labels to emails just like you would with folders. The big win? You can tag a single email with multiple labels instead of being stuck with one folder location.
Why can’t I create a new folder in Gmail?
Gmail uses labels, not folders, so the "folder" option doesn't exist in the interface.
When you try to create what you think is a folder, you're actually making a label. The wording might be confusing, but the functionality is identical. Labels give you way more flexibility than folders ever could. Looking for that "folder" option? It's hiding in plain sight under Settings > Labels > Create new label.
Can you create folders in Gmail 2020?
Gmail has always used labels instead of folders—even back in 2020.
That "create folder" option you saw? It was always creating a label in disguise. This approach lets you apply multiple labels to one email, which folders can't do. Folders lock emails into one spot, while labels let emails live in multiple categories at once. Gmail's system is just smarter.
What happened to the Google Travel app?
The Google Travel app (formerly Trips) got the axe on August 5, 2024, with its features folded into Google Maps and Google Search.
Google officially killed the Trips app in 2024, telling users to pivot to Google Maps for trip planning and Google Search for travel questions. All that trip tracking and reservation saving? Now lives in Maps and Search. Existing users got a heads-up to export their data before the shutdown.
Why doesn’t Google Travel have an app?
Google killed the standalone Travel app in 2024 to merge its features into Maps and Search for a cleaner experience.
Google said it wanted to simplify things. Instead of jumping between apps, travel features now live where you already are—Google Maps and Search. Trip itineraries, saved spots, and travel tips? All right there. No extra app needed.
How do I add Google Travel?
In 2026, just head to google.com/travel or open Google Maps to access Travel features.
Type google.com/travel into your browser and sign in. You'll see your past trips, can save new ones, and browse recommendations. Prefer Maps? Open the app, tap your profile picture, and select "Trips." No separate app required—it's all baked in now.
Can Gmail system labels be deleted?
Most system labels can't be deleted, though you can hide some of the less important ones.
Core labels like "Inbox," "Sent," and "Spam" are permanent fixtures. You can hide others like "Starred" or "Important" from the sidebar by clicking the three-dot menu next to the label and selecting "Show in label list." To fully remove a label, you'd need to delete all associated emails first—which isn't practical for system labels anyway.
How do you email a crate?
You can't email a physical crate itself, but Gmail can send all the details about shipping or crate contents.
Open Gmail and start a new email.
Attach documents like packing lists or shipping labels as PDFs or images.
Put tracking info or instructions in the email body.
Hit send to the recipient's address.
For actually shipping a crate, use a service like UPS or FedEx and include the tracking number in your email.
How can I hide my labels?
Hide labels by clicking the three-dot menu next to the label and toggling "Show in label list."
Hover over any label in the left sidebar, click the three-dot menu, and turn off "Show in label list." This keeps your sidebar clean without losing the labels. They'll still appear under "More" in the sidebar or in Settings > Labels when you need them.
What happened to folders in Gmail?
Gmail never used folders—it's always relied on labels for organization, and that hasn't changed in 2026.
When Gmail launched in 2004, it ditched folders in favor of labels. Why? Because labels let you tag emails with multiple categories instead of locking them into one folder. The left sidebar shows your labels, and you can expand or collapse them using that three-line menu icon. This system has stood the test of time because it's just more flexible.
Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
Elena Rodriguez is a cultural geography writer and travel journalist who has visited over 40 countries across the Americas and Europe. She specializes in the intersection of place, history, and culture, and believes every map tells a human story.
