How to Turn Off Your Automatic Email Signature in Gmail

Gmail allows you to customize signatures with text and/or an image signoff or closing that appears at the end of your email and is typically where a written signature would be if it were printed and mailed out. Custom signatures are handy if you are conducting business and include your logo, but if you have an occasion that you don't want to include it, or you want to manually add a different signature, the process to turn this feature off is very simple.

To stop Gmail from automatically adding a signature to every email you compose, perform the following:

1. Select the Settings gear icon in Gmail's navigation bar located at the top right corner.

   

2. Select Settings from the menu that has appeared.

   

3. Go to the General tab.

   

4. Scroll down about midway to the Signature section. Make sure No Signature is selected under Signature. Gmail will save any signatures you have set up for your accounts; you do not have to re-enter them when you turn on email signatures again.

   

5. Select Save Changes.

   

By turning off the automatic signature, you can add your own personal signature for different emails. If you decide to use your old signature, simply select it and Save Changes again.

Signature Best Practices

If you turn your email signature back on, ensure that it follows best practices:

• Keep it simple. Aim for just a few sentences.
• Remember that embedded images may get lost in forwards and replies. Don't put essential information in graphic format.
• Think carefully about the personal information you include. You never know to whom a message will be forwarded.
• Separate it. Traditionally, signatures consist of three or fewer lines separated from the body by a line consisting of just three hyphens.
• Reconsider including quotes and opinions. Quotes about hot-button social or political issues might not be well-received by all recipients.