Google announced it will allow users in the United States to change their Google Account username without opening a new account or losing data, a long-awaited update for those who have regrettable past email addresses.

Google said "Can you change your Gmail address?” was the top-searched "can you" Gmail-related question during the past year among American users and the update will include the change, though the rollout will be gradual and some may not have immediate access to it, according to Google's support page.

Google said the change could be completed in a three step process. Users must first check if they can change your Google Account email by visiting myaccount.google.com/google-account-email. Potential issues must then be reviewed such as users who use Chromebook, sign in with Google for non-Google sites or connect remotely with Chrome Remote Desktop.

Users can then enter the new username they want as long as it's not already being used by another Google Account or a deleted past account by clicking Change email and Yes, change email. Google said old emails will be preserved and users can sign in to Google services using both their old and new addresses moving forward.

"I knew holding onto my Gmail account from when Gmail was in beta would pay off!” one Reddit commentator wrote in response to the announcement.

“Not too proud of the email name I made at 14, so a name refresh while retaining my data sounds great,” another responded.

Bret Saunders