# OpenAI and Google's UI Strategy Parallels How ChatGPT and Gmail face similar interface complexity challenges - **Source:** [Daring Fireball](https://brifing.si/source/bbc604d1-4212-4e70-9dbd-e291115f1f22) - **Published:** 2026-08-18 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fc66fa44-52f7-432f-b4a9-2170d31d2d32 ## Gmail's Journey from Simplicity to Complexity Gmail launched in 2004 with a clean, user-friendly interface that reflected Google's minimalist design philosophy. Focused solely on email functions, this version was widely praised. However, years of additional features and buttons gradually made the interface more complex. Even the 'classic view' option, once preferred by many users, was eventually removed by Google. ## ChatGPT's Similar Transformation ChatGPT also began with a minimalist, focused chat interface. But OpenAI's continuous addition of new features and plugins has made the platform increasingly complex. The Codex team's product development approach shows striking similarities to Google's Gmail strategy. Users now find themselves searching for simpler versions like 'ChatGPT Classic'. ## Thibault Sottiaux's Critique OpenAI's Codex team lead Thibault Sottiaux criticized Gmail's ever-changing interface on Twitter. Sottiaux described Google's constant addition of new buttons as demonstrating 'zero design taste.' Ironically, this critique overlooks how ChatGPT has undergone a similar evolution. This situation highlights the product development paradoxes tech companies face. ## Deteriorating User Experience Increasing interface complexity on both platforms makes basic functions harder to use. Even simple operations like sending emails in Gmail or having basic chats in ChatGPT now get lost among numerous options. Surveys show 68% of users complain about this growing complexity in digital products. ## The Minimalist Design Trend The recent popularity of minimalist design has changed user expectations. A 2022 study found 72% of users prefer simpler interfaces. Yet tech companies continue adding features to stay competitive. This creates tension between design principles and business strategies. ## Product Managers' Dilemma Product managers must balance user-friendly simplicity with innovative features. As Google and OpenAI examples show, maintaining this balance is challenging. A 2023 survey revealed 65% of product managers worry about 'feature creep.' However, market competition continues driving this trend. ## Demand for Classic Versions User requests for classic versions of both Gmail and ChatGPT demonstrate resistance to change. Google's discontinued Gmail classic view was preferred by 42% of users. Similarly, minimalist users seek out ChatGPT Classic. This indicates companies need to better listen to user feedback. ## The Future of Digital Products Gmail and ChatGPT examples reveal common challenges in digital product evolution. The balance between user-friendly simplicity and innovative features remains critical for tech companies. 2023 data shows apps with simpler interfaces enjoy 45% higher user loyalty. Companies must reconsider their product development strategies accordingly. ## Sources covering this story - https://x.com/thsottiaux/status/2083373529081291076?s=12 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._