[h=3]Google AccountsCreating a
Google Account will be needed to access
Gmail because this email service is one
of the many services offered by Google to registered users.
Signing up for a Google Account is free and easy, and naming your new
Gmail address will be a part of
the sign up process. This means whenever you're signed in to Gmail,
you are automatically signed in to your Google Account.
You'll be able to easily access other Google services like
Google Docs,
Calendar,
YouTube, and more. Creating a Google Account
also means that you'll be a part of
Google+, Google's social networking service.
Of course, you don't have to use any of these features - you may prefer just to
focus on email for now. However, if you'd like more information,
you can check out our
Google Accounts tutorial,
where we talk about some of the
different services that Google offers,
as well as how to change your
privacy settings.