Category Tabs and Labels in Gmail

Turn On Category Labels:

Are you not seeing essential emails?  Would you like to ensure that all emails go straight to your Inbox?
By default, Gmail creates "Categories," which may automatically skip the Inbox, and deliver email to one of these categories:

• Social
• Promotions
• Updates
• Forums

We recommend that you turn on Categories in the Label List sp they appear the left navigation menu.  Then, you can ensure you are not missing any mail, and move any Messages to your Inbox, and label the message.

1. On your computer, open Gmail.
2. At the top right, click Settings   See all settings.
3. Click the Labels tab.
4. In the "Categories" section, select Show in the label List and Show in the Message List
   
5. The Categories will appear in the left navigation pane.  
6. Then, you can either Move the Message into Your Inbox or Edit/Apply a Label

Option 1: To Move a message to the Inbox, select the message, and select "Move To" and Select the Inbox.

Option 2:  You can also apply a label to find and sort the Message quickly.  More information on Create or Editing labels to organize Gmail

Add or remove category tabs

1. On your computer, open Gmail.
2. At the top right, click Settings   See all settings.
3. Click the Inbox tab.
4. In the "Inbox type" section, select Default. Note: To hide all tabs, select another inbox type.
5. In the "Categories" section, Check Primary
   Uncheck the boxes of tabs you want to show.
   Uncheck Social—Messages from social networks and media-sharing sites.
   Uncheck Promotions—Deals, offers, and other promotional emails.
   Uncheck Updates—Notifications, confirmations, receipts, bills, and statements.
   Uncheck Forums—Messages from online groups, discussion boards, and mailing lists. 
   
   Note: You can't make new tabs; you can only show or hide existing ones.
6. Scroll to the bottom, then click Save Changes.

Note: If you've turned on notifications, you'll only get notifications about emails in your Primary category.