How to Collect Email Addresses in Google Forms

If you’re creating a survey, feedback form, registration form, or quiz, collecting email addresses can be very important. Whether you want to build an email list, send follow-ups, share results, or verify responses, Google Forms makes it incredibly easy to collect email addresses.

The best part? You don’t need any technical skills.

In this complete guide, I’ll show you different ways to collect email addresses in Google Forms — including automatic collection, manual entry fields, and best practices to do it professionally.

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Why Collect Email Addresses in Google Forms?

Before we jump into the steps, let’s quickly understand why collecting emails can be useful:

• Send confirmation messages

• Share updates or results

• Build an email subscriber list

• Contact participants later

• Verify genuine responses

• Avoid spam submissions

If you’re a blogger, business owner, teacher, or marketer, email collection can help you stay connected with your audience.

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This is the simplest and most professional method.

Step 1: Open Your Google Form

1. Go to forms.google.com

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Step 2: Click on Settings (Gear Icon)

At the top right corner, click the Settings (⚙️ gear icon).

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Step 3: Enable “Collect Email Addresses”

✔️ Collect email addresses

Check this box.

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Step 4: Choose Email Collection Type

After enabling it, you’ll see two options:

1. Verified

   • Only users logged into Google can submit.

   • Emails are automatically verified.

   • Best for schools, internal surveys, and secure forms.

2. Responder input

   • Anyone can manually enter their email address.

   • Good for public surveys and website forms.

Choose the option that fits your purpose.

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Step 5: Click Save

Click Save at the bottom.

Now your form will automatically include an email field at the top.

You don’t need to create an extra question — Google handles it for you.

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Method 2: Add Email Field Manually (Alternative Method)

If you don’t want to restrict users to Google login, you can manually add an email question.

Step 1: Add a New Question

Click the “+” icon on the right side.

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Step 2: Choose “Short Answer”

Click the dropdown menu and select:

Short answer

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Step 3: Type Your Question

Example:

• Enter your email address

• Please provide your email for updates

• Email Address

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Step 4: Enable Email Validation

This is very important.

1. Click the three dots (⋮) at the bottom of the question.

2. Select Response validation.

3. Choose:

   • Text

   • Email address

4. Add a custom error message like:

   • “Please enter a valid email address.”

Now users must enter a properly formatted email.

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Step 5: Mark It as Required

Turn on the Required toggle so users cannot skip this question.

This ensures you collect emails from everyone.

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How to Send Confirmation Emails Automatically

Google Forms can send responders a copy of their answers.

To Enable This:

1. Click Settings

2. Under General, enable:
   ✔️ Send responders a copy of their responses

3. Choose:

   • Always

   • When requested

Click Save.

Now users will receive confirmation emails after submitting the form.

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How to View Collected Email Addresses

Once people start responding:

1. Open your form.

2. Click the Responses tab.

3. Click the Google Sheets icon.

A spreadsheet will open showing:

• Email addresses

• Responses

• Submission date and time

You can download this as a CSV file if needed.

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Important Privacy Tips (Very Important)

If you’re collecting emails, follow these best practices:

1. Mention Why You’re Collecting Emails

Add a small line in the description like:

“We collect your email address only for communication purposes and will not share it with third parties.”

This builds trust.

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2. Don’t Collect Emails Unnecessarily

If your form doesn’t require follow-up, avoid forcing users to share emails.

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3. Follow Data Protection Guidelines

If you run a business or blog, ensure you comply with privacy laws applicable in your country.

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When Should You Use Each Method?

Use Automatic Email Collection When:

• You want verified Google accounts

• You’re running school or company surveys

• You want secure responses

• You want to avoid fake emails

Use Manual Email Field When:

• Your form is public

• Users may not have Google accounts

• You want flexibility

• You are embedding the form on a website

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Bonus Tip: How to Build an Email List Using Google Forms

If you’re a blogger or content creator, you can use Google Forms as a simple email collection tool.

Example:

Create a form titled:
“Subscribe to Our Newsletter”

Add:

• Name (Short Answer)

• Email (Short Answer with email validation)

Share it on:

• Your blog

• Social media

• WhatsApp groups

• YouTube description

All collected emails will be saved in Google Sheets.

You can then export them and use them for email marketing (with proper consent).

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some mistakes beginners often make:

❌ Forgetting to enable response validation
❌ Not marking the email field as required
❌ Not informing users why emails are collected
❌ Collecting emails but not checking responses
❌ Restricting form unintentionally to Google users

Always test your form before sharing.

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Final Thoughts

Collecting email addresses in Google Forms is simple, flexible, and powerful. Whether you use the automatic collection feature or manually add an email field with validation, the process takes only a few minutes.

For professional use, the built-in “Collect email addresses” option is the easiest and safest method. For public forms, manual email fields give you more flexibility.

Just remember to respect user privacy and clearly explain why you are collecting email addresses.

Now that you know how to collect emails in Google Forms, you can confidently create surveys, quizzes, registrations, and subscription forms without any confusion.

Start building your form today and grow your audience the smart way.