Google Services Suffer Widespread Partial Outage Impacting Gmail, Drive, Gemini & More
A partial outage is currently affecting several major Google services, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Gemini AI, Google Nest, and other platforms that rely on Google Cloud infrastructure.
What’s Affected?
As of 11:15 a.m. ET / 8:15 a.m. PT on July 18, users across the globe began reporting issues accessing or using various Google services. Platforms such as:
- Gmail
- Google Drive
- Docs
- Gemini AI
- Google Nest smart devices
…are all experiencing slowness, errors, or complete inaccessibility. Reports started spiking simultaneously on DownDetector, and social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit lit up with user complaints.
Importantly, not all services are impacted equally. Some users report that certain functions (like Gmail inbox loading) are slow, while others face complete disconnections from Nest devices or Gemini services.
Other Apps Affected via Google Cloud
Due to the outage appearing to originate from Google Cloud, its effects are rippling outward to other tech platforms that rely on Google’s infrastructure. Users are reporting problems with:
- Zoom
- Spotify
- Shopify
- Pokemon Go
- and several smaller web apps.
These services either rely fully on Google Cloud hosting or use it in part to manage data, authentication, or analytics.
No Immediate Response from Google — Then a Brief Update
Initially, Google did not acknowledge the outage on its Workspace Status, Cloud Status, or Search Console dashboards, leaving users in the dark. However, at 11:50 a.m. ET / 8:50 a.m. PT, Google issued a limited update confirming the issue:
“Various Workspace services are experiencing elevated latency and error rates.”
This acknowledgement, although vague, aligns with a noticeable decrease in user error reports, suggesting that Google has either implemented a fix or is in the process of doing so.
User Reactions & Real-Time Impact
From disrupted meetings to inaccessible documents, the outage is causing frustration worldwide—especially for those relying on Workspace tools for work or school. Google Nest users are also experiencing smart home device connectivity issues, such as delayed responses or offline device errors.
What You Can Do
If you’re currently facing issues:
- Try refreshing or reloading the affected service
- Use mobile versions or alternate browsers (in rare cases, this helps)
- Avoid resetting your Nest devices unless absolutely necessary
- Keep an eye on Google’s Workspace Status Dashboard
Let Us Know
Are you experiencing outages with any Google or Google Cloud-powered product? Share your experience in the comments below.
🕒 Article Update Timeline
- 11:15 a.m. ET – Outage first noticed across multiple services
- 11:50 a.m. ET – Google acknowledges elevated error rates for Workspace tools
- [Next update will be added as more details emerge]
