• by Laurie Sullivan , January 10, 2014

Google has begun to roll out a feature that more closely integrates Google+ with Gmail. The feature extends the list of contacts when searching on a name in Gmail to include Google+ users, including the email addresses of existing contacts and people on the Google+ social network.

The change, which is expected to roll out to Gmail users during the next few days, was met with protest by some who said it opens the door to unwanted solicitations and spam in private email boxes. Depending on the setting, senders can email anyone if they follow them on Google+ without the permission of the recipient. Recipients can receive email from anyone on Google+, but their email address only becomes visible if they reply to the email. Some say this is reminiscent of the Buzz fiasco, Google's last failed attempt at a social network.

The feature allows anyone with a Gmail account to send an email directly to friends, and strangers who use Google+, excluding celebrities and public figures followed by a large number of fans, a Google spokesperson told Reuters.

Spam and unwanted mail will be the least annoying problem resulting from this change. The dotted line the feature builds with or without the consent of the recipient will become one more link that Google can use when serving ads.

"Emailing Google+ connections also takes advantage of Gmail's new inbox's categories," David Nachum, Gmail product manager, writes in a blog post. "When someone in your circles emails you, the email will appear in the Primary category. But if you don't have them in your circles, it will be filtered into the Social category (if enabled) and they'll only be able start another conversation with you if you respond or add them to your circles."

Google said users who do not wish to receive email messages from others on Google+ can switch off the settings so they receive messages only from people they have added to their networks of friends, or no one at all.

To prevent getting emails from Google+ users can click on the cog in the upper right-hand corner of their Gmail inbox and select "Settings" from the drop down menu, then scroll down the General tab to the Email via Google+ label, where they will find an option to reset the default from "Anyone on Google+" to "Extended circles," "Circles," or "No one."