From the "Don't be evil." Dept. -
Google just deleted one of my filters. I see that this has been happening for literally /years/. How Google can allow this to persist is beyond me. Note to Google: Fix this - now.
This seems to happen when people who are receiving the "Could not create filter. Forwarding to too many addresses." message try to edit their filters, e.g., in order to forward to fewer addresses. Edit the filter; click "Update;" and the filter is not saved, but rather /removed/ from your list of filters [sic].
Crazy!...
First of all, Google: You cannot delete people's filters. Right?... Right???......
Least of all the filters of people who are trying to edit their filters to comply with an opaque limitation.
As you know, filters can be very complicated, and not easily replicated, so you can do a lot of damage when you delete them.
Second of all, with the "Forwarding to too many addresses." message, please provide a link to documentation of this offense.
Can I have only 20 filters that forward to other addresses? Or can I have as many filters as I want as long as they only forward to 20 different addresses?...
I think it's the former, but your message makes it seem like it's the latter. Either way, it's not clear.
So, an obvious bit of advice for Gmail users experiencing the problem - and able to Export your filters: Export your filters before attempting to change them in any way.
Even this is no guarantee that you will be able to filter messages as you currently do if you try to change your filters. In fact, it seems highly unlikely that you would be able to import the same (noncompliant) filters you'd exported so if you try, but fail to bring your filters into compliance, you may be stuck without all of the filters Google has deleted through the course of your efforts.
Moreover, not all Gmail accounts are permitted to export their filters.
Finally: Can a Google employee advise as to how to resolve "Could not create filter. Forwarding to too many addresses?..." I assume the filters you have deleted are gone forever, but if /you/ had this problem, what would /you/ do?...
Thanks.
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"Deleting your filter. Forwarding to too many addresses."
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