How to Block Emails on Gmail (Quickly and Easily)

Email can be an incredibly useful communication tool, but it can also be abused by spammers, scammers, and other unwanted senders. If your Gmail inbox is being overrun with junk and unwanted messages, you may want to block certain email addresses or domains. Fortunately, Gmail provides some easy ways to block emails right from your inbox.

Why You Might Want to Block Emails

There are a few key reasons you may want to block emails on Gmail:

Reduce Spam and Scam Messages: Spammers often get your email address and send unsolicited ads, phishing scams, or malware. Blocking them can reduce this nuisance and security risk.
Avoid Harassment or Abuse: If someone is sending you harassing, abusive, or threatening emails, you can block them to prevent further contact. This helps you control who can send emails to you.
Limit Email From Unwanted Senders: You may wish to block ex-partners, former friends, or colleagues who are emailing you unwanted messages. Blocking them reduces distractions and protects your mental health.
Protect Your Inbox from Viruses and Malware: Some malicious emails try to get you to download viruses or malware. Blocking these dangerous senders protects your device and information.
Reduce Overwhelming Email Volume: If you’re getting more emails than you can handle, blocking certain senders can help reduce your inbox clutter and email fatigue.

How to Block a Gmail Address

Blocking a specific email address in Gmail is simple:

Open the email message from the sender you want to block.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the reply button.
Select Block [sender’s email address].
Confirm that you want to block this sender by clicking Block again.

Once you block an address, all future emails from that sender will automatically be sent to your spam folder. You can also find and manage your blocked addresses under Settings > See all settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses.

Tips for Blocking Addresses

Be sure to block the exact email address that is sending you unwanted messages. Any variations or misspellings will not be blocked.
You may need to block multiple email addresses associated with the same sender.
Blocking only works on a per-Gmail account basis. If you have multiple Gmail accounts, you’ll need to block senders in each one.
When blocking someone, their existing emails in your inbox will not be affected. Only future messages will go to spam.
You can undo a block at any time if you change your mind or block someone by accident.

How to Block an Entire Domain

If you’re receiving lots of bothersome emails from multiple addresses at the same domain, you can block the entire domain to prevent future messages from getting through.

Here is how to block an entire domain in Gmail:

In Gmail, click the Settings gear icon.
Select See all settings.
Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.
Scroll down and click Add a new blocked address.
Type in the domain you want to block, such as @example.com.
Click Block to confirm.

This will automatically send all future emails from that domain directly to your spam folder. Note that blocking a domain could also block some messages you want, so use this method carefully.

How to Report an Email as Spam

If an email gets through your filters and blocks, you can report it as spam to help Gmail improve its spam detection.

On Mobile:

Open the spam email on your phone.
Tap the overflow menu icon (three dots).
Choose Report spam.

On Desktop:

Open the spam email.
Click the dropdown arrow next to Reply.
Select Report spam.

Enough spam reports will train Gmail’s filter to start sending that sender to spam automatically. Reporting spam also helps Gmail improve its algorithms overall.

How to Unsubscribe from Unwanted Emails

Another good way to cut down on junk mail is to unsubscribe from email lists you no longer want to receive.

Here are some tips for unsubscribing:

Look for a link at the bottom of the email that says something like “Unsubscribe” or “Opt out.” Click that link and follow the instructions.
If there’s no obvious unsubscribe link, look for very small text at the bottom with the word “unsubscribe” in it. Click and confirm.
As a last resort, you can reply to the sender and request to be removed from their list.
If the sender won’t remove you, consider reporting it as spam or just blocking the address.

Taking the time to prune your subscriptions and unfollow unneeded updates will keep your inbox cleaner moving forward.

How to Block an Email Address on Gmail

Here is a step-by-step guide for blocking an email address in Gmail:

Open an email message from the sender you want to block.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the Reply button.
In the dropdown menu, select “Block [email address]”.
A pop-up will appear confirming you want to block that email address. Click on “Block” to confirm.
This will immediately send all future emails from that address directly to spam.
To view your blocked addresses, click on the Settings gear icon.
Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses.
You will see a list of all your blocked email addresses.
To unblock an address, click the trash can icon next to it.
Make sure to block any variations of the email address that the sender may use to get around the block.
On mobile, tap the 3-dot menu on the email and select “Block” or “Report spam” to block.

Blocking an email address is a straightforward process in Gmail to help stop unwanted messages. Just be sure to block the exact address sending you mail for it to be effective.

How to Stop Spam Emails

Here are some effective ways to stop or reduce spam emails:

Use Gmail’s report spam feature – Click the dropdown arrow next to Reply and select “Report spam”. Doing this helps train Gmail’s spam filter.
Block known spam senders – Open a spam email and block the sender’s email address using the block feature. This sends all future emails from them to spam automatically.
Avoid giving out your email publicly – Spammers harvest emails from websites and public forums. Be cautious posting your email online.
Unsubscribe from unneeded subscriptions – Look for an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails to stop unwanted marketing emails.
Use disposable email addresses – Give out specialized spam addresses from sites like Spamex when signing up for untrusted sites prone to reselling data.
Turn on two-factor authentication – This prevents spammers from logging into your accounts even if they have your password.
Be wary of phishing emails – Don’t click links or attachments from unknown or suspicious senders.
Use an email spam filter – Gmail has a built-in spam filter that works quite well. You can also install browser extensions or other email spam programs.
Report spam to your email provider – Notify Gmail or whoever provides your email about recurring spam sources.

Staying vigilant and using common sense habits goes a long way in reducing spam! It may take some effort but you can reclaim your inbox.

How to Block Someone on Gmail

Here are the steps to block someone’s email address on Gmail:

Open an email from the person you want to block.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the Reply button.
Select “Block [sender’s email address]”.
Confirm you want to block the sender by clicking on “Block” again.
This will send all future emails from that address directly to your spam folder.
To view your blocked addresses, click on Settings and go to Filters and Blocked Addresses.
To unblock someone, click the trash can icon next to their email address in the blocked list.
Make sure to block all iterations of the person’s email address if they have multiple.
You can block on desktop or the Gmail mobile app by tapping the 3-dot menu and choosing “Block”.
On iPhone, tap the contact name and select “Block this Contact”.

Blocking someone on Gmail is useful for stopping harassing messages, spam, or contact from an ex. Just be cautious not to block contacts by mistake. Blocking is easy to undo if needed.

How Do I Unblock Someone on Gmail?

Here are the steps to unblock an email address that you previously blocked in Gmail:

Click on the Settings gear icon at the top right of your Gmail inbox.
Select “See all settings”.
Go to the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab.
Scroll down to the “Blocked” section where you will see a list of all your blocked email addresses and domains.
Locate the email address you want to unblock and click on the trash can icon on the right side.
This will remove the email address from your blocked list and allow emails from that sender to come through to your inbox again.
Make sure to click “Save Changes” at the bottom once you’ve unblocked an address.
If you can’t find a particular blocked address to unblock, try searching for it in the search box at the top of the page.
You can also access blocked addresses in Gmail Settings on the mobile app under “Manage Contacts & Blocking”.

Unblocking an email is useful if you blocked someone accidentally or feel ready to receive emails from them again after some time. Just be aware unblocking also unblocks any associated Google services.

How to Block Emails on Gmail Using the App

Here are the steps to block an email address using the Gmail app on your phone:

Open the Gmail app and open an email from the sender you want to block.
Tap the 3-dot or vertical ellipsis menu in the upper right corner.
Tap “Block [email address]” in the menu.
Confirm you want to block the sender by tapping “Block” again.
This will now send all emails from that address to your spam folder.
To view your blocked addresses, tap the hamburger menu icon and go to Settings.
Tap on your account name and go to Manage contacts & blocking.
You’ll see a list of all your blocked contacts and can unblock them here.
On an iPhone, you can also tap the sender’s name and select “Block this Contact”.
Make sure to block all versions of the sender’s address if they have multiple.

Blocking on the Gmail app works the same as on desktop. This can help reduce distracting, unwanted, or harassing messages on your phone. Check your blocked list occasionally to remove any contacts blocked unintentionally.

How to Report Spam on Gmail

Here are the steps to report an email as spam in Gmail:

On Desktop:

Open the email message you want to report.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the Reply button.
Select “Report spam” from the menu.
The email will be marked as spam.

On Android App:

Open the spam email.
Tap the 3 dot menu icon in the top right.
Tap “Report spam”.
Confirm by tapping “Report spam” again.

On iPhone App:

Open the unwanted email.
Tap the name/email address of the sender.
Tap “Report junk” to report the message.

Reporting spam trains Gmail’s filter to recognize similar unwanted emails in the future and send them to the spam folder automatically. This helps keep your inbox clear of unwanted messages. Be cautious of false positives when reporting legitimate emails as spam.

How to Report Phishing on Gmail

Here are the steps to report a phishing email in Gmail:

Open the suspicious email that you think is a phishing attempt.
Click the three dot (more actions) menu next to the reply button.
Choose “Report phishing”.
Select “Yes” to confirm this is an attempted phishing email.
The email will be reported to Gmail and deleted from your inbox.

On the Gmail mobile app:

Open the phishing email.
Tap the overflow menu (three vertical dots).
Choose “Report phishing”.
Confirm by tapping “Yes” to report the email.

Some signs of a phishing attempt:

Requests sensitive information like passwords or banking details.
Unknown sender address or different display name.
Sense of urgency or threats if you don’t act.
Suspicious links you’re asked to click.
Spoofed domain names.

Reporting phishing attempts helps Gmail improve its security filters to protect all users from malicious emails. Be vigilant and report any messages that seem suspicious.

How to Automatically Delete Emails From a Sender Without Opening Them

Here are a few ways to automatically delete emails from a sender without opening them in Gmail:

Block the sender’s email address. This will automatically send their emails to spam. Then set up a filter to automatically delete emails that are marked as spam.
Create a filter for that specific email address and check the box to “Delete it”. Any future emails will be automatically deleted.
Add the sender’s email address to your contacts list. Go to that contact, scroll down and check “Delete emails matching this search”.
Set up a canned response/auto-reply to the sender explaining you won’t be reading their emails anymore due to harassment/spam/etc.
Use third party apps or extensions like SaneBox or ActiveInbox that let you auto-delete based on sender.
On your email client, set up a rule to delete anything received from that address so you never see it.

The key is using filters and rules to auto-sort those emails so they are deleted or archived without you having to open them. This helps reduce distraction and clutter.

How to Block Emails on iPhone (Easy Ways)

Here are some easy ways to block emails on an iPhone:

Open the email, tap the sender’s name, and select “Block this Contact”. This will block all emails from that sender.
Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > find the email account > Tap Blocked > Add New. Enter the email address or domain you want to block.
Download a third party spam filtering app like SpamHound or SwipeSpam that allows you to block emails right from your iPhone inbox.
Set up email filters in Gmail or Outlook online to automatically block or delete emails from specified senders which will sync to your iPhone.
Report emails as junk on your iPhone to help train the spam filter using the “Move to Junk” option.
Add the bothersome email address as a contact, then edit that contact to enable “Block this Caller” which blocks emails.
Unsubscribe from email lists by tapping the unsubscribe link which typically appears at the bottom of promotional emails.
Adjust notifications to disable certain accounts from pushing alerts to your iPhone to reduce distractions.

The key is leveraging iPhone settings, apps, and online account filters to minimize unwanted emails conveniently right from your phone screen. Actively blocking and unsubscribing can help reclaim your inbox.

How to Block Emails Outlook (Step-by-Step Guide)

Here are the steps to block an email address in Outlook:

Open Outlook and go to the Home tab. Click on “Junk” then choose “Block Sender”.
Type in the email address you want to block. Make sure to enter the exact address.
Check the box next to “Also trust email from my Contacts” if you want to allow messages from your Outlook contacts even if blocked.
Click “OK”.
This will block all future emails from that sender which will go to your Junk Email folder.
To unblock an address, go to Home > Junk > Blocked Senders List. Select the address and click Unblock.
On mobile, open the message, tap the name, and select Block. Go to Settings > Blocked to manage.
You can also right-click an email, choose Junk, then Block Sender to block.

Make sure to block all iterations of an address if the sender has multiple. Check your blocked list periodically to ensure you haven’t mistakenly blocked important senders.

How to Block Emails on Hotmail (Easy Ways)

Here are the steps to block an email address in Hotmail/Outlook:

Open the email message from the sender you want to block in Hotmail.
Click on the downward arrow next to Reply.
Select “Block Sender” from the dropdown menu.
Confirm that you want to block the email address by clicking “OK”.
This will send all future emails from that sender directly to your Junk folder.
To view your blocked senders list, click on the Settings icon and go to Options > Blocked Senders.
To unblock an address, locate it in the list and click Unblock.
On the Hotmail mobile app, tap the sender’s name and select Block to block them.
You can also right-click an email and choose Junk > Block Sender to block.
Make sure to block all versions of the sender’s email address.
Check your blocked list periodically to remove any addresses that were blocked unintentionally.

Blocking on Hotmail prevents future emails from unwanted or harassing senders. Use it cautiously to avoid missing important messages accidentally.

How to Block Emails on Gmail on Phone

Here are the steps to block an email address on the Gmail app for your phone:

Open the Gmail app and open an email from the sender you want to block.
Tap the 3-dot or vertical ellipsis menu in the upper right corner.
Tap “Block [email address]” in the menu.
Confirm you want to block the sender by tapping “Block” again.
This will send all future emails from that address to your spam folder.
To view blocked addresses, tap the hamburger menu and go to Settings.
Tap your account name and go to Manage contacts & blocking.
You’ll see a list of all blocked contacts. Tap the x icon to unblock.
On an iPhone, tap the sender’s name, then “Block this Contact”.
Make sure to block all versions of the sender’s address.

Blocking on the Gmail mobile app works the same as on desktop. It’s an easy way to stop unwanted emails from distracting you on your phone. Check your blocked list periodically to remove any mistaken blocks.

How do I Permanently Block Emails in Gmail?

Here are some tips to permanently block emails in Gmail:

When you block an email address in Gmail, it is automatically set to expire after about 6 months. To make it permanent, you need to re-block important addresses periodically.
Add any email addresses you want to permanently block to your Gmail contacts. Then open that contact, scroll down to the “Advanced” section, and check “Delete matching emails”. This will permanently auto-delete emails from that sender.
Use email filters instead of blocking for permanent control. Set up a filter to delete or skip the inbox for emails matching specific addresses or domains. Filters don’t expire.
Consider using the Canned Responses lab feature to auto-reply to blocked senders informing them they are blocked and advising them to stop emailing you.
If an unwanted sender gets around your block by using a new email address, report their messages as spam or phishing. Enough reports will blacklist them.
Block at the email server level or use external spam filtering services in addition to Gmail’s blocking. This provides an added layer of protection.
Periodically check your blocked senders list and re-block any important blocking rules before they expire in 6 months. This maintains your blocks long-term.
Use blocking judiciously in combination with unsubscribing, reporting spam, and filtering for the most effective ongoing email control.

Gmail Terminology: Blocking vs. Reporting Spam vs. Unsubscribing

Here’s a quick rundown of the terminology around managing emails in Gmail:

Blocking – This stops all future emails from a specific address or domain from reaching your inbox. Blocked emails are sent directly to spam. Useful for stopping a harassing sender.
Reporting Spam – This flags a suspicious email as spam for Gmail. It helps train the spam filter to recognize similar emails. Use this for unsolicited ads, phishing, or malicious mail.
Unsubscribing – Opting out of an email list or notifications you no longer want by clicking the unsubscribe link. Prevents further emails from companies you signed up with.

Other related terms:

Filtering – Automatically labeling, archiving, or deleting certain emails based on sender, words, etc. Helps organize your inbox.
Muting – Removing an email thread from your inbox without deleting it. You can still access it if needed.
Contacts List – Adding an email address so their messages bypass certain filters. Useful for allowing VIPs.

Block unwanted senders, report shady emails, unsubscribe from lists you no longer want, filter to organize your inbox, mute busy threads, and add contacts to exempt from filters.

Tips for Managing Blocked Addresses

Here are some additional pointers for managing blocked senders in Gmail:

Check your blocked list periodically to see if there are any addresses you want to unblock. People and businesses can change over time.
Be cautious about wholesale domain blocking. Make sure you won’t miss important messages by accident.
Consider setting up an auto-reply to notify senders they are blocked. This allows them to possibly correct any improper sending practices.
Blocked senders are unable to see if their messages reach you. They may continue sending, unaware messages are blocked.
If you begin receiving unwanted emails at a new address, re-block any previous senders who now have the new email.
Filtering messages into tabs or categories can serve as an alternative to outright blocking. This allows you to still view messages.
If you receive a high volume of spam, consider setting up a separate spam account just for online registrations prone to resale.
Make use of Gmail’s robust settings and filters to reroute messages instead of fully blocking where possible. This gives you more flexibility.

Troubleshooting Blocked Emails

Blocking emails is usually straightforward, but occasionally things may not work as expected. Here are some common issues and fixes.

1. Still Receiving Messages from a Blocked Sender

Double check that you blocked the exact email address or domain sending you mail. Close variations will not be blocked.
The sender may have started using a new email address. Block the new address.
Messages sent before you blocked will still come through. You need to block first.
Make sure the address is not on your contacts list. Contacts override blocks. Remove it.

2. Accidentally Blocked an Important Sender

Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses and remove that email address or domain from your blocked list.
If already done, the sender will need to resend any missed messages. Retrieving blocked emails is not possible.
Consider adding important contacts to your address book. This prevents you from inadvertently blocking them.
To prevent mistakes, be cautious when blocking entire domains that may contain wanted emails too.

3. Blocked Emails Reappear After Some Time

Gmail’s blocked addresses expire after about 6 months. Re-block any addresses you want to stay blocked.
Spammers frequently change addresses. Block new variations as they appear.
If legitimate messages reappear, consider filtering instead of blocking. Or unblock those specific addresses only.
Some spammers try to circumvent blocks. Stay vigilant for new approaches.

4. Can’t Find Option to Block on Mobile

Make sure your Gmail app is up-to-date. Older versions may not have block functions.
Try opening the message in a web browser and using the block option there. Apps sometimes have limited menus.
On Android, tap the 3-dot menu, then “Report spam.” On iPhone, tap the “Report junk” option.
If needed, block the sender later on desktop where blocking options are more visible.

Conclusion

Blocking unwanted emails is an effective way to clean up your Gmail inbox and improve your digital wellbeing. By blocking specific troublesome senders, entire domains, and diligently reporting spam, you can greatly reduce inbox clutter and security risks. Use Gmail’s robust blocking and filtering tools to take control of your email and stop undesirable messages in their tracks. With a little ongoing maintenance, you can keep your inbox clean, healthy, and productive.

Key Takeaways:

Use Gmail’s block sender and report spam options to handle unwanted emails.
Block entire domains if one source sends excessive unwanted mail.
Check blocked lists periodically to unblock addresses inadvertently blocked.
Reporting spam helps train Gmail’s filter to auto-block similar emails.
Unsubscribe from mailing lists you no longer want clogging your inbox.
Fix blocking issues by double checking addresses blocked and making sure Gmail is up-to-date.
Blocking helps control inbox clutter and improve productivity.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Here are some of the most common FAQs about blocking emails on Gmail:

How to Unsubscribe from Emails?

Here are some tips for unsubscribing from unwanted emails:

Look for an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email and click it. This is usually the easiest way to opt out.
The unsubscribe link may be very small or in light text, so scan the entire bottom section carefully.
Sometimes the link will say “Click here to opt out” or “Unsubscribe here” instead. Click any link related to unsubscribing.
You may need to click the unsubscribe link first, then enter your email address on the next page to confirm.
If there is no visible unsubscribe link, reply to the sender and ask to be removed from their list.
As a last resort, you can block the sender’s email address if they won’t remove you.
When you unsubscribe, you may still get some emails already queued to send. Give it a few weeks before expecting them to fully stop.
If the company emails you again after unsubscribing, use the unsubscribe link again or notify them directly.
Check your email settings for any subscriptions you’ve forgotten about and unsubscribe from ones you don’t want.
Unsubscribing can take a bit of effort, but it’s worthwhile for controlling your inbox clutter! Being diligent now will pay off in less unwanted email later.

How do I block an email address in Gmail?

To block an email address, open an email from that sender and click the dropdown arrow next to Reply. Select “Block [email address]”. Confirm by clicking Block again. This will send all future emails from that address to spam.

How do I block an entire domain on Gmail?

Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses. Click “Add a new blocked address” and enter the domain you want to block, like “@ example(.)com“. Click Block to confirm. This will send all future emails from that domain to spam.

Does blocking an email delete existing messages?

No, blocking an email address or domain only affects future messages. Existing emails in your inbox will not be deleted or moved when you block a sender.

How do I unblock someone I blocked accidentally?

Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses and find the email address or domain you want to unblock. Click the trash can icon to remove it from the blocked list. This will allow their emails to come through again.

Why am I still getting emails from someone I blocked?

If you’re still getting emails from a blocked address, make sure you spelled the address exactly right when blocking. Similar addresses will not be blocked. Also check if the sender has a new email address you now need to block.

How often do I need to re-block blocked emails?

Gmail’s blocked addresses expire after about 6 months. To keep someone permanently blocked, you’ll need to re-block any important blocked addresses after that time period.

Can I undo reporting an email as spam?

No, once you report an email as spam there is no way to undo it. However, reporting spam just helps train Gmail’s filter and a single report will not cause major issues.

How do I unsubscribe from an email list?

Look for an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email and click it, then follow the instructions. If there’s no obvious link, look for very small text with “unsubscribe” in it. As a last resort, reply and ask to be removed.

Why do blocked senders keep emailing me?

Senders whose emails are blocked do not get notified, so they will keep sending unaware that messages are blocked. You can set up an auto-reply to inform them if you want.

Can I retrieve emails after blocking a sender?

Once a sender is blocked, any of their existing or new emails cannot be retrieved. Blocking reroutes emails, it does not delete them. Make sure to check for anything important before blocking.