Unwanted emails can quickly turn a clean inbox into digital clutter. Whether it’s a persistent marketer, a phishing attempt, or just too many newsletters, Gmail gives you built-in tools to take back control. Blocking unwanted senders, reporting spam, and setting smart filters all help you keep your inbox organized and secure.
Unwanted emails don’t stand a chance once you know where to look. Gmail gives you everything you need to silence repeat senders, move spam out of sight, and fine-tune filters that stop nuisance messages before they land. Whether you’re on desktop or mobile, a few clicks can make your inbox feel calm again.
How to block an email address in Gmail (desktop)
Gmail (like Outlook and Yahoo) makes it simple to block specific senders from reaching your inbox. Once blocked, any future messages from that address are automatically sent to your Spam folder.
You might choose to block someone who keeps sending irrelevant promotions, an old subscription that ignores your unsubscribe requests, or even a contact who’s started sending unwanted or inappropriate messages. It’s also useful for cutting down phishing attempts or repetitive automated alerts.
Blocking helps you reclaim control over your inbox and stay focused on the emails that actually matter.
- Open Gmail and locate the unwanted email in your inbox.
- Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the message.
- Select Block [Sender Name] from the dropdown menu.
- Confirm your choice in the pop-up box.
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That’s it, all future emails from this sender will skip your inbox and go directly to Spam.
If you ever change your mind, Gmail allows you to unblock them easily in Settings.
How to unblock an email address in Gmail (desktop)
If a blocked sender starts sending relevant emails again, you can restore normal delivery in just a few clicks. Maybe a business contact has updated their approach, a brand you like is sharing useful updates, or a friend’s messages were accidentally flagged.
Unblocking brings their emails back to your main inbox instantly, with no need to resend or re-add them manually. It’s an easy way to keep your inbox flexible and ensure you’re not missing messages that now matter to you.
- Click the gear icon in the top-right corner and select See all settings.
- Navigate to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.
- Scroll through the list to find the email address you want to unblock.
- Click Unblock next to the address.
Gmail will confirm the action, and future emails from that sender will appear in your inbox again.
Dig deeper: How to unblock an email address on Gmail
How to block an email address in the Gmail app (mobile)
You can also block unwanted senders directly from your phone using the Gmail app on Android or iOS.
- Open the Gmail app.
- Tap the message from the sender you want to block.
- Tap the three dots (⋮) in the upper-right corner of the screen.
- Select Block [Sender Name].
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Blocked emails automatically move to Spam, and the change syncs across your devices, so if you block someone on mobile, they stay blocked on desktop too.
If you later decide to unblock the sender, repeat the same steps and select Unblock instead.
How to report spam or phishing emails in Gmail
Blocking stops one sender. Reporting spam helps everyone by training Gmail’s algorithms to identify and filter malicious or unwanted messages more accurately. It’s a small action with a wider impact: every time you report a suspicious email, you’re helping Gmail’s system recognize similar threats across millions of inboxes.
According to Statista, spam accounts for more than 45% of all email traffic worldwide, ranging from harmless promotions to phishing scams that try to steal personal information. Gmail’s machine-learning filters already catch the majority of these messages automatically, but user reports strengthen those defenses. When more people report, Gmail learns faster, meaning fewer scams, fewer fake offers, and a safer inbox for everyone.
- Open the unwanted message.
- Click the three dots (⋮) on the top-right.
- Choose Report spam or Report phishing.
When you do this, Gmail moves the email to your Spam folder and uses your report to improve global spam filters.
If you suspect a phishing attempt (for example, an email pretending to be from your bank) always use Report phishing.
How to manage and review blocked senders
You can review, edit, or remove blocked addresses at any time.
- In Gmail, click the gear icon → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses.
- Review the list of addresses under “The following addresses are blocked.”
- To remove a block, click Unblock next to the sender’s name.
Blocked senders are not notified when you block them. Their emails are quietly rerouted to your Spam folder without an alert, bounce-back, or any visible sign that you’ve taken action. It’s a discreet way to manage unwanted communication while keeping your inbox calm and under control.
If your Spam folder fills up quickly, you can clear it manually by clicking Empty Spam now at the top of the folder. This helps free up storage space and keeps Gmail running efficiently. For extra privacy, make it a habit to review your Spam folder before emptying it, just in case a legitimate message slipped through.
Related read: Why am I not getting emails on Gmail?
How to stop unwanted emails without blocking
Blocking works best for repeat offenders, but sometimes unsubscribing or filtering is a smarter move. Gmail’s built-in tools give you several ways to tidy your inbox without overusing the block button. You can unsubscribe from mailing lists you no longer read, automatically file promotional content into a folder, or delete unwanted emails before they even arrive. The goal is to create an inbox that works for you, that’s organized, distraction-free, and built around the messages you actually want to see.
1. Unsubscribe from mailing lists
Most marketing emails include an Unsubscribe link next to the sender’s address or at the bottom of the message. Gmail even highlights this option automatically for recognized mailing services.
Clicking Unsubscribe removes you from that list and prevents future messages, without marking them as spam.
According to a study by All About Cookies, 77% of people feel digital clutter “negatively impacts their life”, so unsubscribing from mailing lists you’re not interested in could drastically reduce that clutter.
2. Create filters to manage repetitive emails
Filters help automate your inbox. You can automatically archive, delete, or label emails based on criteria you set.
For example, if you keep getting promotional emails from @shopnews.com, create a filter to delete them automatically.
Here’s how:
- Click the Search bar arrow in Gmail.
- Enter the sender’s address or a keyword.
- Click Create filter.
- Choose what happens next. For example, “Delete it” or “Skip the inbox (Archive it).”
Filters can also help organize important messages. For example, label all invoices with “Finance” so they’re easy to find later.
3. Mark recurring spam as Spam
If a sender slips past Gmail’s filters, keep marking their emails as Spam. Each report strengthens Gmail’s algorithm and prevents similar emails in the future.
To do this, select the message and click the Report spam button (the stop-sign icon with an exclamation mark).
4. Use a secondary email for sign-ups
Consider keeping a separate Gmail account for online purchases, newsletters, or free trial sign-ups. It helps you maintain a clean, focused main inbox while directing all lower-priority messages elsewhere.
A secondary email also adds an extra layer of security. By keeping your personal or work address private, you reduce the risk of data leaks, spam lists, and phishing attempts linked to large-scale breaches. If a marketing list or website you’ve subscribed to is ever compromised, only your secondary account is affected — not the one tied to your sensitive information, passwords, or financial accounts.
For even stronger privacy, avoid using the same recovery email, password, or security question between accounts.
Related read: How to send encrypted files in Gmail
Keep your inbox secure and organized
Gmail’s blocking and filtering tools are designed to give you control over your inbox, helping you stay focused on what matters. Regularly reviewing your spam folder, updating filters, and using strong privacy settings make your account safer and less stressful to manage.
If email management feels like a full-time job, that’s exactly what Fyxer is here to change.
Fyxer helps you stay in control of your inbox, reducing spam, drafting replies, and organizing messages automatically, so you can focus on the work that moves you forward.
Blocking email addresses in Gmail FAQs
Will the sender know if I block them in Gmail?
No. Gmail does not notify the sender when you block them. Their messages are quietly rerouted to your Spam folder, and they’ll never know the difference. You’ll stay in control of your inbox without creating unnecessary conflict or follow-up messages.
Can blocked emails still be seen in Spam?
Yes. Blocked emails remain accessible in your Spam folder for 30 days before Gmail deletes them automatically. This gives you time to review and confirm nothing important slipped through, while still keeping unwanted messages out of sight.
How can I block multiple senders at once?
While Gmail doesn’t include a bulk block button, filters make it simple to manage multiple senders at once. You can group them by keyword, domain, or email pattern to automatically delete or archive incoming messages, a quick way to declutter without handling each address manually.
Can I block entire domains (e.g., @example.com)?
Yes. Gmail’s filters let you block every address from a specific domain by typing it into the “From” field and choosing Delete it or Send to Spam. This is especially useful for cutting off persistent marketing emails or spam networks that use different usernames under the same domain.
What’s the difference between blocking and reporting spam?
Blocking targets one sender and stops their messages from appearing in your inbox. Reporting spam, on the other hand, flags the email to Google’s filters, helping protect all Gmail users from similar unwanted or malicious content. Using both together keeps your account (and the wider Gmail community) more secure.