Before you start
- A Gmail account
Method 1 Block a sender
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Step 1: Open the email
Open an email from the sender.
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Step 2: Block
Tap or click ⋮ (More) and choose Block “[sender]”. Future emails go to Spam.
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Step 3: Unblock later
In Gmail on the web: Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses.
Method 2 Unsubscribe from newsletters
Only unsubscribe from legitimate companies. For obvious spam, report it instead; unsubscribe links in spam can confirm your address is active.
Method 3 Create a filter that deletes automatically
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Step 1: Search
In Gmail on the web, search, e.g. from:@unwanted-company.com or by subject words.
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Step 2: Create filter
Click the filter icon in the search bar > Create filter.
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Step 3: Choose Delete it
Tick Delete it (and optionally Also apply filter to matching conversations), then Create filter.
Method 4 Report spam and phishing
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Step 1: Report spam
Select the email and click Report spam (! icon). This trains Gmail’s filters.
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Step 2: Report phishing
For fake bank or login emails: ⋮ > Report phishing.
Troubleshooting
Blocked emails still arrive
The sender may use different addresses. Use a filter on the domain or keywords instead.
Important emails went to spam
Open Spam, select the email and click Not spam. Add the sender to Contacts.
Frequently asked questions
Does the sender know I blocked them?
No.
Can I block emails on the Gmail app?
Yes, Block works in the app. Filters must be created on the web, but they apply everywhere.
Summary
Use Block for individual senders, Manage subscriptions for newsletters, and a filter with Delete it for persistent senders. Report spam and phishing so Gmail learns.
