Google's latest feature could be costing Gmail users their JOBS
GOOGLE's April Fools' Day prank is costing Gmail users their job, Google fans claimed on social media.
Google's Mic Drop April Fools' Day prank has been heavily criticised
It appears not everyone found Google's latest April Fools' Day prank funny.
The US search firm has been forced to remove a feature bundled with its Gmail service after it sparked a backlash among users who claimed it was costing them potential jobs.
Dubbed the Mic Drop tool, the April Fools' Day joke tool was placed next to the standard Send button.
When it was pressed, an email with a GIF of a character from the Minion movies dropping a microphone, as well as muting any future replies, ending the conversation.
Pressing the Mic Drop button ended the email chain and sent a GIF of a Minion dropping a microphone
There was an immediate backlash to the feature, which Google described as enabling users to "get the last word", as many reported clicking it accidentally, sometimes on emails replying to potential employers.
Gmail user Justin Boxill wrote on a Google Help forum: "I just sent off an email with my resume to the first person who wanted to interview me in months.
"I clicked the wrong button and sent it with the mic drop. Well, I guess I'm not getting that job.
"I'm actually shaking. One click, ONE CLICK and I lost the job. Goddamnit. Not funny, Google."
Crap. Did you know that @gmail has a "send and drop the mic" button for emails to never hear responses? Yeah I just used it for a job post
— Larry Barnes (@youthminister) April 1, 2016
Oh god GMAIL put their April Fools Minion Mic Drop button right next to your actual SEND EMAIL BUTTON. THIS IS NOT GOING TO END WELL
— El Oshcuro (@DaveOshry) April 1, 2016
Just confirmed this bug. Gmail adds the GIF even when clicking the normal "Send" button. https://t.co/tSS2gdo0iQ
— Andy Baio (@waxpancake) April 1, 2016
Several other users took to Twitter to report similar incidents when replying to job-related emails, with hundreds more using Google forums to request its removal.
The email service recently surpassed one billion active users, making it one of the most used social tools in the world.
The button's placement so close to the Send button was the main source of criticism.
Express.co.uk Google Web History Trick
Google removed the feature less than 12 hours after it went live, saying in a statement: "It looks like we pranked ourselves this year.
Due to a bug the Mic Drop feature inadvertently caused more headaches than laughs. We're truly sorry."
The news comes as Google started to give away £99 worth of professional photography software for free.
(And that's no joke)