I’ve been using Gmail for years now, and one of the features I find incredibly useful is the ability to block unwanted emails. Whether it’s spam, annoying newsletters, or even those pesky emails from exes, Gmail’s blocking feature has saved me from a lot of headaches. In this article, I’ll take you through the step-by-step process of how to block email on Gmail.
Step 1: Open the Settings Menu
To get started, open your Gmail account and click on the gear icon located at the top right corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Settings.”
Step 2: Go to the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” Tab
Once you’re in the Settings menu, you’ll see several tabs. Look for the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab and click on it.
Step 3: Create a New Filter
On the Filters and Blocked Addresses page, scroll down until you see the “Create a new filter” option. Click on it.
Step 4: Specify the Email Address or Criteria to Block
Now it’s time to specify the email address or criteria you want to block. You can enter the email address directly into the “From” field, or you can use other options such as the subject, keywords, or even the size of the email. This gives you the flexibility to block emails based on your specific needs.
Step 5: Choose What to Do with the Blocked Emails
After specifying the email address or criteria, you need to decide what to do with the blocked emails. Gmail offers several options, such as deleting the blocked emails, marking them as spam, or sending them directly to the trash. Choose the option that suits you best.
Step 6: Apply the Filter
Once you’ve specified the email address or criteria and decided what to do with the blocked emails, click on the “Create filter” button. Gmail will then apply the filter to all incoming emails, and any emails that match the specified criteria will be blocked according to your chosen action.
It’s important to note that the filter won’t affect any emails in your inbox or other folders; it only applies to future emails that meet the specified criteria.
Additional Tips:
– If you want to block multiple email addresses, you can separate them with the “|” symbol.
– To block all emails from a specific domain, use the “@” symbol followed by the domain name (e.g., “@example.com”).
– If you ever change your mind and want to unblock specific email addresses or criteria, you can easily delete the filter you created. Just go back to the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab in the Settings menu and find the filter you want to remove. Click on the “Delete” option next to it, and the filter will be removed.
Conclusion
Blocking unwanted emails on Gmail is a simple but effective way to keep your inbox clean and free from clutter. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up filters to block specific email addresses or criteria. Say goodbye to spam and annoying emails once and for all!