Gmail studies specific criteria to determine which emails are important to you.

Gmaildoesn’t have thepriority inboxfeature turned on by default.

you could choose which of these to use.

Gmail inbox with Settings gear highlighted

It looks like a flag or arrow.

When Gmail identifies a particular email as being important based on its criteria, the importance marker is yellow.

When it is not recognized as being important, it is just the empty outline of the shape.

Gmail settings with See all Settings highlighted

At any time, you’re able to hit the importance marker and change its status manually.

If you disagree, just hit the yellow flag to mark it unimportant.

This action teaches Gmail whichemailsyou think are important.

Gmail settings with Inbox tab highlighted

At the top of theSettingsscreen that opens, click theInboxtab.

Next toInbox jot down, selectPriority Inbox.

In theImportance markerssection, snag the radio button next toShow markersto activate it.

Gmail settings with Priority Inbox highlighted

When you go back to your inbox, you’ll see the sections on the screen.

Among the criteria are:

Gmail learns your preferences from your actions as you use Gmail.

Gmail Inbox settings with Show Markers highlighted

Gmail inbox settings with “Use my past actions” highlighted

Gmail Inbox settings with Save Changes highlighted