Step by Step Guide to Block Unwanted Spam Email in Google and Outlook
- Derek Milo
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
Spam emails clutter your inbox, waste your time, and sometimes pose security risks. Learning how to block unwanted spam emails effectively can help you maintain a clean and safe email environment. This guide walks you through easy, step-by-step instructions to block spam emails in both Google’s Gmail and Microsoft Outlook. Whether you use one or both platforms, these practical tips will help you take control of your inbox.
How Spam Emails Affect Your Inbox
Spam emails often include unwanted advertisements, phishing attempts, or malicious links. They can distract you from important messages and sometimes lead to security issues if clicked. Both Gmail and Outlook have built-in tools to reduce spam, but sometimes unwanted emails still get through. Knowing how to block these emails manually adds an extra layer of protection.
Blocking Spam Emails in Gmail
Gmail automatically filters many spam emails, but you can take additional steps to block specific senders or mark emails as spam.
Step 1: Mark Emails as Spam
Open Gmail and go to your inbox.
Select the email you want to mark as spam.
Click the Report spam button (exclamation mark icon) at the top of the page.
Gmail will move the email to the Spam folder and learn to block similar messages in the future.
Step 2: Block Specific Email Addresses
Open the email from the sender you want to block.
Click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of the email.
Select Block [Sender’s Name] from the dropdown menu.
Confirm by clicking Block in the popup window.
Future emails from this sender will go directly to your Spam folder.
Step 3: Create Filters to Block Emails
Filters let you automatically delete or archive emails based on criteria like sender, subject, or keywords.
Click the gear icon in Gmail and select See all settings.
Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.
Click Create a new filter.
Enter the email address or keywords you want to block in the appropriate fields.
Click Create filter.
Choose Delete it or Mark as spam to handle these emails automatically.
Click Create filter again to save.
Step 4: Manage Your Spam Folder
Check your Spam folder regularly to ensure no important emails were mistakenly filtered. You can mark emails as Not spam to move them back to your inbox.
Blocking Spam Emails in Outlook
Outlook offers several ways to block unwanted emails and keep your inbox tidy.
Step 1: Mark Emails as Junk
Open Outlook and select the email you want to mark as junk.
Click the Junk button in the toolbar.
Choose Junk from the dropdown menu.
The email moves to the Junk Email folder, and Outlook learns to block similar messages.
Step 2: Block Specific Senders
Right-click the email from the sender you want to block.
Select Junk > Block Sender.
Confirm the action.
Emails from this sender will be sent to the Junk Email folder automatically.
Step 3: Create Rules to Filter Emails
Rules help you manage incoming emails based on specific conditions.
Click File > Manage Rules & Alerts.
Click New Rule.
Select Apply rule on messages I receive and click Next.
Choose conditions such as sender’s address or specific words.
Click Next and select Delete it or Move it to Junk Email folder.
Finish the setup by naming the rule and clicking Finish.
Step 4: Adjust Junk Email Settings
Go to Home > Junk > Junk E-mail Options.
No Automatic Filtering
Low
High
Safe Lists Only
Choose the level of protection you want:
Use the Safe Senders and Blocked Senders tabs to manage trusted and blocked contacts.
Tips to Reduce Spam Emails
Avoid sharing your email address publicly.
Use a secondary email for sign-ups and newsletters.
Regularly update your email password.
Be cautious about clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
Report phishing emails to your email provider.
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