Why do email attachments have size limits?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Reduce server load
Save storage space — Wrong. Storage matters, but main issue is email servers processing and transmitting millions of messages—large attachments create bottlenecks.
Protect user privacy — Wrong. Size limits aren't about privacy. They prevent server overload and ensure email delivery speed for all users.
Reduce server load ✓ — Correct! Email servers handle millions of messages. Large attachments consume bandwidth, slow delivery, and overload servers. Typical limits: 25MB (Gmail), 20MB (Outlook). Original email protocol (SMTP) wasn't designed for large files! Instead, use cloud storage links (Google Drive, Dropbox) for big files—recipients download directly from file servers, not email servers!