Receiving Unwanted Messages in Gmail
Inboxes are filled with millions of spam emails daily and removing them can be quite a tedious task! Throughout this article, you will discover how to stop spam emails and clean up your mailbox effectively.
Before we get started, check out this quick video walk-through to remove spam emails in Gmail.
Report Spam
Reporting spam is one of the best ways to stop receiving junk mail on Gmail. This lets Gmail know that it’s an unsolicited message and gives you an option to block future emails at the same time.
How to block spam emails on Gmail on the web
To report junk email on the web, visit the Gmail site and follow these steps:
- Select or open the email.
- Click the Report spam button (exclamation mark) at the top.
- In the pop-up window, pick Yes, block to also stop further emails from the sender or No to allow them.
How to stop spam emails on Gmail on mobile
To report spam on Android or iPhone, launch the Gmail app and do the following:
- Open the email.
- Tap the three dots at the top.
- Select Report spam.
- In the pop-up window, pick Yes, block to also stop further emails from the sender or No to allow them.
How to Stop Gmail Spam with Clean Email
With Clean Email, you have multiple ways to stop unwanted emails. Like Gmail, you can select and mark one or more messages as spam.
But you can also use advanced features to eliminate junk mail on Gmail quicker and easier.
The Auto Clean feature lets you automatically mark incoming spam based on criteria like sender or keyword.
- Select Auto Clean in the menu and choose Create Rule.
- Enter the conditions you want to match.
- Pick Mark as Spam in the action list.
- Select Create Rule.
You can also take advantage of the Cleaning Suggestions tool, which removes the burden of searching for cleanup ideas and allows you to act on all messages from a sender at once!
Select Suggestions in the menu, click the down-arrow to the right of an unwanted sender, and choose Spam to mark the entire email group—all without even opening the junk emails.
Block Emails
While you can block spam emails on Gmail at the same time you mark them, you may have a different situation. Perhaps the messages you receive aren’t spam but from a harassing or potentially malicious sender. In this case, it’s best to block them.
How to block unwanted emails in Gmail on the web
To block emails on the web, visit the Gmail site and do the following:
- Open the message.
- Click the More icon (three dots) on the top right of the email.
- Select Block "Sender".
- Confirm with Block in the pop-up window.
How to block unwanted emails in Gmail on mobile
To block emails on mobile, open the Gmail app and follow these steps:
- Open the message.
- Tap the three dots at the top of the message, to the right of the sender.
- Select Block [Sender].
- Optionally, you can then also report the email as spam.
⚠️ Warning: If you suspect an email is spam, it’s best not to open it. Since the Gmail mobile app doesn’t allow blocking emails without opening them, we recommend using Clean Email on mobile instead for safe blocking options.
How to block emails on Gmail without opening them
Opening an email simply to block the sender is not only more time-consuming but can indicate to that sender that you have an active account.
Instead, you can use Clean Email to block emails without opening them, and you can do so on both the web and your iOS or Android mobile device.
- Select Senders in the menu.
- Choose a sender from your list.
- Pick Block and then Confirm. Note that if the messages are from a mailing list, you’ll see Unsubscribe in place of Block.
Additionally, when enabled, the Screener feature gathers emails from unknown senders in one location, allowing you to stop spam and unnecessary emails before they even reach your inbox.
Select Screener in the left-hand menu and choose Block to the right of an unwanted sender.
📌 Tip: You can also use the Auto Clean feature mentioned above to automatically send all emails from a specific sender or domain directly to the Trash!
Unsubscribe From Emails
You may enjoy some of the newsletters you receive but can do without the barrage of marketing messages you’re getting. By unsubscribing in Gmail, you can remove yourself from the mailing list and send future emails to the Trash.
How to stop unwanted emails in Gmail by unsubscribing
You can unsubscribe the same way in Gmail on the web or your mobile device with these steps:
- Open the email.
- Select Unsubscribe at the top of the message.
- Confirm with Unsubscribe or complete the process on the sender’s site with Go to website.
How to mass unsubscribe with Clean Email
As you’ll notice, when you unsubscribe in the Gmail application, you can only do so for one email at a time. With Clean Email, you can unsubscribe from multiple messages at once which can save you a ton of time! Again, this feature works the same way on the web and mobile.
- Select Unsubscriber in the menu.
- Choose Select at the top and mark the emails or use Select All.
- Pick Unsubscribe at the bottom.
📌 Tip: To see all messages you unsubscribe from, use the Unsubscribed tab at the top of the tool. You can then resubscribe with a click or tap.
Filter Emails
One more way to stop or block unwanted emails in Gmail is by using filters. This is an automation that catches and applies actions to messages as they arrive, making it a convenient way to go.
How to stop junk emails in Gmail with filters
Currently, you’ll need to set up your filters in Gmail on the web as there isn’t such a feature in the mobile app.
To create a filter based on an email, do the following:
- Open or select the message.
- Click the three dots in the top toolbar or top right of the email.
- Choose Filter messages like this.
- Add any additional conditions and click Create filter.
- Pick the actions to apply and click Create filter.
📌 For more ways to create filters in Gmail, check out our complete guide to filtering emails in Gmail.
How to use filters for Gmail in Clean Email
Like other features listed above, Clean Email also offers advanced options for filters. Opposite of Gmail, you can create and use these filters to stop Gmail spam emails on your mobile device too.
With Smart Folders, Clean Email filters related messages into folders automatically! These types of folder filters let you remove unwanted emails quickly, easily, and in bulk.
- Expand Smart Folders in the menu.
- Choose a folder like Automated messages, Unread, Unusual Senders, or even Online shopping and Social notifications.
- Pick Select and mark the emails or use Select All.
- Take an action like Trash, Spam, or Delete.
📌 Tip: You can also use the other features described earlier to filter messages. Use Auto Clean to automatically filter emails as they arrive or Screener to filter new senders. These help you mark spam, block, or delete with little effort.
Additional Key Clean Email Features
To go along with the features above to stop spam on Gmail and remove unsolicited messages, Clean Email offers even more tools for managing your mailbox.
Cleaning Suggestions
Not sure of the best way to clean up your inbox? With Cleaning Suggestions, you’ll see recommendations based on your previous actions or those most common among other users. You can then trash, mark, archive, move messages, and perform other actions in bulk.
Privacy Monitor
Wondering if the inflow of Gmail spam emails is due to your address being compromised? With Privacy Monitor, you can easily check for known breaches that involve your email address and see recommended actions.
On-the-go inbox management
Tired of different features or steps in the Gmail mobile app versus the web? As mentioned, you can enjoy the same Clean Email features on the web and your iPhone or Android mobile device. The best part is that each tool works the same way without limited options and using the same steps.
Control Junk Mail on Gmail With Ease
Again, it takes more than one feature or tool to successfully stop spam emails in Gmail. Where Gmail provides a limited set of options that depend on your device, Clean Email goes the extra mile with a robust number of versatile features you can use anywhere.
How to Stop Unwanted Emails in Gmail - FAQs
How do I block spam in Gmail without opening them?
To block emails in Gmail without opening them, just click on the avatar and choose to block the sender, or use Clean Email’s advanced blocking features.
How can I stop unwanted emails in Gmail?
To stop unwanted emails in Gmail you can use filters to automatically move spam to Trash. You can also block unwelcome senders and unsubscribe from mailing lists.
How do you block unwanted emails on Gmail?
You can block unwanted emails on Gmail by opening the mail and clicking on the three dots in the top corner. Then choose to Block the name.
How do I change spam settings in Gmail?
To change spam settings in Gmail head into your mail account on the web browser. You can then go into advanced settings to configure spam filters.
