How to Block Emails on Gmail (And Take Back Control)

scammy promotions, weirdly aggressive newsletters, and updates from services I forgot I signed up for. I blocked senders one by one, but honestly, it didn’t seem to change much at first.

Eventually, I got curious was I doing it wrong? Turns out, Gmail does offer ways to block, mute, and filter unwanted emails. And once I paired those tools with a smarter cleanup habit (thanks, AgainstData), I actually started liking my inbox again. Not love. But like.

Block, Report, or Unsubscribe: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive in, let’s clear something up. Gmail gives you three main options when you're dealing with unwanted emails:

Action	What It Does	Best Used For
Block	Future emails go to Spam	Repeated personal or automated messages
Report Spam	Flags message for Google, moves it to Spam	Obvious junk or phishing lookalikes
Unsubscribe	Removes you from a mailing list	Newsletters or promo emails you once signed up for

I used to mix these up, especially with newsletters. Sometimes I’d block when I should’ve unsubscribed. Not a huge deal, but it can clutter things unnecessarily.

How to Block Emails on Gmail and Keep Your Inbox Under Control

Blocking someone in Gmail is one of the simplest ways to stop unwanted messages from cluttering your inbox. Whether it’s a random sender, an old contact, or a newsletter that just won’t quit, Gmail gives you a direct option to block them. Once blocked, any future emails from that sender will skip your inbox and go straight to your Spam folder.

The process is slightly different depending on whether you're using Gmail on a desktop browser or the mobile app, but both are easy once you know where to look. Below, I’ll walk you through both versions so you can block emails from any device.

On Desktop or Web

Blocking emails on a computer is fast and intuitive once you know where the option is. Gmail places it in the message menu, so all you need is one email from the sender to get started.

I usually do this whenever I get something unexpected or annoying in my inbox, it only takes a few seconds.

Here’s the step-by-step:

• Step 1. Open Gmail on your desktop or the web.

• Step 2. Go to the email you want to block.

• Step 3. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the message.

• Step 4. Click Block [Sender’s Name].

• Step 5. Confirm the pop-up by clicking on “Block”.

From now on, any email from that sender will go straight to Spam. It won’t disappear, but it’ll be out of sight.

On Mobile

If you’re using the Gmail app on your phone or tablet, the blocking feature is still there, just in a slightly different spot. I use this whenever I’m managing email on the go, which is most days honestly. It’s especially helpful when I get hit with spam while scrolling in between meetings.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 1. Open the Gmail app.

• Step 2. Select the email you want to block.

• Step 3. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.

• Step 4. Tap Block [Sender’s Name].

This method works just as effectively on mobile as it does on desktop: blocked senders will be redirected to your Spam folder automatically. It’s quick and easy to do, but limited in function. Mobile doesn’t support filters or some of the more advanced blocking options that desktop does.

How to Unblock Someone on Gmail

Blocked the wrong person by mistake? Or maybe you just changed your mind and want to start fresh? Whatever the reason, Gmail makes it simple to reverse a block and restore communication with a sender.

Here’s how to undo it:

• Step 1. Open Gmail on the web.

• Step 2.Go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses.

• Step 3. Find the email address you want to unblock.

• Step 4. Click Unblock next to it.

Now the person can email you again. Once you click Unblock, their future emails will appear in your inbox as usual, just like before the block was in place.

How to Instantly Stop Messages With Email Filters

Sometimes, even seeing a sender’s name is enough to ruin your day. I’ve had emails I didn’t want to open, didn’t want to read, and definitely didn’t want to deal with.

Here’s how I used Gmail filters to stop these emails automatically:

• Step 1. Open Gmail on your desktop or the web.

• Step 2. Hover over the sender’s name in your inbox.

• Step 3. Copy the email address from the preview card.

• Step 4. Go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses.

• Step 5. Click Create a new filter.

• Step 6. Paste the address in the From field and click Create filter.

• Step 7. Choose what to do with those messages: delete or skip inbox.

You can also apply the filter to existing conversations, which is nice if you’ve already got a backlog to clean.

How to Block Emails Automatically and Keep Gmail Clean with AgainstData

The truth is, I stopped trying to fight every spammer manually. It felt like I was always one step behind: whenever I blocked one sender, two more would pop up. I needed a better way, something proactive instead of reactive.

That’s when I started using the AgainstData App, and it completely changed how I manage my inbox.

Bulk Unsubscribe from Newsletters

Through AgainstData, I bulk unsubscribed from dozens of newsletters in one go, not just the obvious ones either. Some were from apps I deleted years ago, random stores I ordered from once, and a bunch of marketing emails I don’t even remember subscribing to. I hadn’t realized how many mailing lists I was passively attached to. Clearing them out felt like shutting windows I didn’t know were open.

To do this inside AgainstData, I went to the Promotions tab, where the app had already sorted my subscriptions into a list. I could scroll through all my subscriptions super easily and decide which ones I wanted to keep and which I wanted to unsubscribe from. With one simple click, it saved me from having to open every email and hunt for a tiny unsubscribe link at the bottom.

What really stood out was how reliable it was. Manually unsubscribing from emails doesn’t always work: sometimes the link is broken, sometimes it takes weeks, and other times you unsubscribe and the emails keep coming anyway. With AgainstData, every unsubscribe actually works. It’s 100% effective and immediate. I didn’t have to guess whether it would go through. It just did. That peace of mind, honestly, was worth it on its own.

Mass Delete Unnecessary Messages

Next, I tackled the overwhelming build-up of old messages: years of newsletters, discount alerts, welcome emails, receipts, updates, and random messages I never even opened. It had gotten to the point where I was ignoring my inbox completely because it just felt overwhelming.

All I had to do was toggle a simple switch: “Delete all unwanted emails”, and every message from that sender, not just future ones, was gone. Mass deleting unwanted emails saved me from the repetitive task of hunting those down manually.

What I really appreciated was how visual and intuitive it felt. I wasn’t stuck scrolling endlessly or second-guessing every deletion. I knew these were the emails I didn’t need. Just a few clicks, and hundreds of irrelevant messages were gone in seconds.

Compared to manually deleting emails, this felt like using the right tool for the job: efficient, accurate, and designed to actually make a difference. It wasn’t just about saving time, it was about clearing out digital clutter. For the first time in years, my inbox felt organized, manageable, and genuinely under control.

Block Access to Your Personal Data From Companies

Then came the surprise. I used the app’s Personal Data feature (basically a privacy audit) to see which companies still had my email stored. Some of them I hadn’t interacted with in ages.

AgainstData showed me who was holding onto my info, and in one click, I could send a data deletion request. It was a simple way to identify which companies still had access to my information and take meaningful action. By sending out data deletion requests through AgainstData, I was able to reduce unnecessary exposure and make my personal information more secure.

How to Report Spam on Gmail

Sometimes blocking isn't enough. Spam messages, especially from unknown sources or persistent advertisers, deserve to be flagged properly so Gmail can recognize and filter them out more reliably in the future. It's not just about your own inbox: reporting spam actually helps improve Gmail's filtering system for everyone.

On Desktop or Web

I’ve made it a habit to report anything that looks shady, overly promotional, or irrelevant, even if I’ve already blocked the sender. Gmail takes these reports seriously.

Here’s how I quickly report emails from my computer device:

• Step 1. Open Gmail.

• Step 2. Open the email you want to flag.

• Step 3. Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the message.

• Step 4. Click Report spam.

The email will now immediately move to your Spam folder, and a copy is sent to Google to help train their filters. It’s simple, effective, and helps make your inbox a little smarter over time.

On Mobile Version

On mobile, the process is just as straightforward, although the layout might look a little different depending on your device. Whether you’re on Android or iPhone, the core steps remain the same. I find it especially useful when I’m clearing spam on the go, it’s a quick way to keep my inbox clean without needing to log in on a computer.

• Step 1. Open the Gmail App.

• Step 2. Tap on the email you want to flag.

• Step 3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.

• Step 4. Tap Report spam.

Once again, the message goes to Spam, and Gmail uses the data to improve its junk filtering. It takes just a few seconds.

How to Report Phishing on Gmail Web

Phishing attempts are more serious and potentially dangerous. These are emails pretending to be someone they're not: a bank, a coworker, a government agency, or even a service you trust like PayPal or Netflix. They often urge you to click a link, download an attachment, or enter personal information. One wrong click can compromise your data or expose your account. If you spot something suspicious, don’t just delete or block it, it’s better to report it so Gmail can protect others too.

Here’s how to report it properly:

• Step 1. Open Gmail on your PC.

• Step 2. Open the email you want to report.

• Step 3. Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.

• Step 4. Select Report phishing.

• Step 5. Confirm the prompt that appears.

  

This not only removes the message from your inbox but also helps protect other Gmail users. Phishing is a real risk, so I try to report these whenever I see them.

Final Thoughts

Blocking emails on Gmail is a great place to start, but it's not the full picture. From filtering and spam reporting to automating cleanups and deleting stale messages, there’s a whole system that can make your inbox feel lighter.

For me, Gmail’s tools worked well enough, but when I added the AgainstData App to the mix, things finally clicked. I wasn’t just reacting to spam. I was staying ahead of it.

If you’re tired of the clutter, try combining Gmail’s features with something smarter.

FAQs

How do I permanently block someone from emailing me on Gmail?

To permanently block someone on Gmail, open one of their emails, click the three-dot menu, and select Block [Sender]. All future emails from that address will automatically go to your Spam folder.

How do I stop receiving emails from someone?

You can stop receiving emails by blocking the sender or creating a Gmail filter to delete their messages. If it’s a newsletter or promotional email, use AgainstData to bulk unsubscribe from mailing lists in one click.