Is your inbox out of control? Do you feel bombarded by irrelevant messages, notifications, and especially – spam? You‘re not alone. Email spam impacts over 200 billion messages per day, wasting productivity and enabling phishing scams.
Fortunately, Gmail provides customizable tools to take back control of your inbox. This guide will explore Gmail‘s robust blocking functionality to rid your email experience of spam forever. We‘ll cover:
- Step-by-step blocking instructions for desktop and mobile
- Unsubscribing from annoying mailing lists
- Reversing blocks when needed
- Important background on phishing and spoofing risks
By the end, your inbox will finally be a pleasant and productive place again!
Why Blocking is Essential: The Spam Epidemic
To understand why blocking tools matter, let‘s overview the spam epidemic plaguing inboxes:
- 200+ billion spam messages sent globally every day
- Spam makes up 65% of global email traffic
- Over 80% of spam aims to distribute malware or steal personal information
As an email user, you‘ve likely encountered unwanted spam. But some key statistics show these aren‘t just annoyances – they pose real financial and security risks:
- 36% of breached data comes from email phishing scams
- $20 billion lost to businesses from phishing in 2021
- 1 in 3 people click suspicious email links
Blocking tools are essential to protect yourself from catastrophic outcomes. Now let‘s explore how Gmail‘s robust controls keep unwanted senders out of your inbox.
Blocking Unwanted Emails in Gmail
Gmail has two main options for blocking unwanted messages:
- Blocking the sender‘s email address
- Reporting emails as spam
The option you choose depends on the severity of the offense:
| Option | When to Use | Outcome | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block Sender | Repeated unwanted non-spam messages from a known sender | Emails automatically deleted | Easy to reverse |
| Report as Spam | Clear spam or phishing attempts | Email sent to Spam folder | Reversal difficult |
Now let‘s get into the step-by-step process for each method.
How to Block Email Addresses in Gmail
Blocking a sender‘s email address instantly stops additional messages from appearing in your inbox. Follow these steps:
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Open the irritating message in your Gmail account:
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Click the dropdown menu next to sender‘s name and select Block [sender‘s name]:
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Confirm you wish to block the sender when prompted
You‘ve now successfully blocked that address! All future messages will be automatically deleted.
Here‘s a 90 second video demonstration of the simple blocking process:
Blocking Emails on Mobile Devices
The mobile app blocking process is very similar:
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In the Gmail app, tap the dropdown menu next to sender‘s name:
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Select Block user:
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Confirm block when prompted
And you‘re protected on mobile too!
Unsubscribing from Annoying Mailing Lists
Got too many subscriptions clogging your inbox? Instead of blocking entire publications, easily unsubscribe from mailing lists.
- Open newsletter email
- Select unsubscribe link near sender name
- Confirm in ensuing window
This specifically removes you from their contact list. Much easier than trying to reverse over-eager blocking!
When to Unblock Senders
Accidentally blocked your boss? Mercifully reversing blocks is straightforward:
On Desktop:
- Click settings icon > See All Settings
- Select Filters and Blocked Addresses
- Locate blocked address and select Unblock
We all make mistakes – thankfully Gmail knows that too.
The Threats of Spoofing and Phishing
While blocking stops inbox clutter, reporting spam protects from spoofing, phishing schemes and malware. But what do these terms mean?
Spoofing is when a scammer impersonates a trusted source to appear legitimate. Phishing utilizes spoofing and fake websites to steal personal information.
These schemes often rely on compromised email contacts and attachments loaded with viruses. By reporting such messages as spam in Gmail, you can prevent infection while protecting others exposed to their network of contacts.
Vigilance requires awareness – forearmed with that knowledge, Gmail‘s tools provide robust protection. Take back control of your inbox using the blocking techniques above! Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for stopping spam.
