New GMail accounts now require verification..

[turboface]

It appears that you need to jump some hoops now in order to create GMail accounts. I just ran into a verification page that wanted me to verify myself by entering my mobile phone number. They have a Q&A section right there giving info and offering other verification methods.

[mclovin]

Are you sure you went to the right site? I created a new gmail account about 2 days ago and had no such thing.

[tattoos]

I also created a Gmail account for a friend yesterday, and did not need to do any sort of verification.
Perhaps it happens when there are several different accounts being created and/or trying to log in to Gmail from the same IP.

Cheers
James

[kyria]

Yep, happened to me as well just now, so it's true.

[stewie]

interesting, thx for info

[Acro]

Indeed verification is needed, they send an SMS to your cell. Too much spam coming from Google accounts.

[DomainsInc]

gay. i won't be giving any free email services my phone number. Luckily I already have more than enouh gmail accounts.

[Seraphim]

For the last 6 months GMail has been unbearably slow. For the first time in years I'm seeing AdSense banners running half empty. Google Maps has gotten a bit more laggy than usual. They're laying off employees en masse. More roadblocks to free services.

Google is feeling the burn...

[cursal]

It will slow the spam....good.

More importantly it will increase (further interconnect) their databases of users to allow better tracking of who is doing what.

They still aren't charging...that's a plus....I can see it happen one day.

Welcome to your Google Account:
To access all your tools and services we are now requiring a $0.10 per/day to continue to enjoy all the wonderful benefits Google has to offer.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
-G team

(pray it's that low)

[mjnels]

erm i just opened an account a minute ago to test this.. no verification needed.

[Seraphim]

erm i just opened an account a minute ago to test this.. no verification needed.

It's still in Beta as of today...

[tata668]

Maybe it happens if you register more than 2-3 accounts/day from your IP?