Blocking spam emails in Gmail is essential to keep your inbox clean and free from unwanted messages. Gmail offers several features and tricks to help you block spam effectively. Here are some simple tricks to block spam emails in Gmail:
How to Block Spam Emails in Gmail
Report Spam:
- The most basic way to deal with spam in Gmail is to report it. When you receive a spam email, open it, and click the “Report spam” button (it looks like a stop sign with an exclamation point) in the toolbar above the email. Gmail will move the message to your spam folder and use it to improve its spam filters.
Create Filters:
- Gmail allows you to create custom filters to automatically categorize or delete incoming emails based on specific criteria. To create a filter:
- Open your email from the sender who you want to block.
- Click the three dots (more options) in the upper-right corner of the email.
- Select “Filter messages like these.”
- Set your filter criteria (e.g., the sender’s email address).
- Click “Create filter.”
- Choose the action you want to take, such as deleting the email or sending it to spam.
Unsubscribe from Mailing Lists:
- If the spam emails are coming from a mailing list you’ve subscribed to, use the “Unsubscribe” link typically found at the bottom of such emails. This will remove you from the mailing list.
Use the “Block” Feature (if available):
- Gmail introduced a “Block” feature that allows you to block specific email addresses. To block an email address:
- Open the email from the sender and specific to block.
- Click the three dots (more options) in the upper-right corner of the email.
- Select “Block [sender’s name].”
Enable the “Enhanced Safe Browsing” Feature:
- In your Google account settings, you can enable the “Enhanced Safe Browsing” feature, which provides better protection against phishing and malware emails. This can help prevent spammy or dangerous emails from reaching your inbox.
Check and Adjust Spam Filters:
- Occasionally, review your spam folder to ensure that legitimate emails are not mistakenly categorized as spam. If you find legitimate emails there, mark them as “Not spam” to train Gmail’s filters.
Avoid Sharing Your Email Address Widely:
- Be alert about where you share your email address online.
- Spammers often harvest email addresses from websites, forums, and social media.
- Use disposable or secondary email addresses for online registrations if possible.
Use Third-Party Tools:
- Consider using third-party email filtering tools or browser extensions that can enhance Gmail’s spam filtering capabilities. Popular options include SpamSieve, MailWasher, and Clean Email.
By using these tricks and regularly managing your Gmail inbox, you can effectively block spam emails and maintain a cleaner, more organized email experience.
