How to Block Spam and Junk Email in Gmail
To block spam in Gmail: open the unwanted email. Click the three vertical dots in the top-right of the email. Click 'Block [sender name]'. Future emails from that sender will go straight to your Spam folder. To report it as spam, click the 'Report spam' button (it has an exclamation mark icon) instead.
To block spam in Gmail: open the unwanted email. Click the three vertical dots in the top-right of the email. Click 'Block [sender name]'. Future emails from that sender will go straight to your Spam folder. To report it as spam, click the 'Report spam' button (it has an exclamation mark icon) instead.
Step-by-step practice mode
Click through each step to practice. The screens look like the real Gmail app — but nothing here changes anything in your real account or device.
You're in! This is your Gmail inbox
This is what your real Gmail inbox looks like. Your emails appear in the list.
Click any email to open it. To write a new email, click the red 'Compose' button on the left.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open the unwanted email
Click on the email in your inbox to open it.
- 2
Click the three vertical dots
In the top-right of the open email (next to the reply arrow), click the three small dots.
- 3
Click 'Block [sender name]'
A menu appears. Click the line that says 'Block' followed by the sender's name.
- 4
Click 'Block' to confirm
Gmail asks if you're sure — click Block. From now on, emails from this address skip your inbox and go to Spam.
- 5
For real spam, click 'Report spam'
Instead of Block, you can click the exclamation-mark icon at the top of the open email. This tells Google the email is spam and helps protect other people too.
What if it's not working?
Problem: Spam keeps coming from different addresses
How to fix: Real spammers change addresses. Use 'Report spam' instead of 'Block' — Google then blocks similar emails automatically.
Problem: I accidentally blocked someone I want to hear from
How to fix: Open Gmail Settings (gear icon) → 'See all settings' → 'Filters and Blocked Addresses'. Find the address and click 'unblock'.
Problem: The Block option isn't there
How to fix: You're probably using the basic Gmail view. Click 'Standard view' at the bottom of the screen, then try again.
Problem: Important emails are going to spam
How to fix: Open the Spam folder (left side), find the email, and click 'Not spam' at the top. Future emails from that sender will go to your inbox.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Block and Report Spam?
Block stops emails from one specific sender. Report Spam tells Google an email is junk so it can block similar emails from many senders. For real spam, use Report Spam — it helps everyone.
How does Gmail decide what's spam?
Google uses smart filters that look at the email's words, sender, and how other people have marked similar emails. Most spam never reaches your inbox at all — it goes straight to Spam folder.
Can I unsubscribe from a sender instead?
Yes — and it's better for legitimate newsletters. Open the email and look for an 'Unsubscribe' link near the top. Click it. The sender removes you from their list.
Will the blocked sender know I blocked them?
No. Gmail doesn't tell them. Their emails just silently go to your Spam folder where you'll never see them.
How do I empty my Spam folder?
Click 'Spam' on the left side of Gmail. At the top, click 'Delete all spam messages now'. Your spam is permanently deleted. Gmail also auto-deletes spam after 30 days.
Are 'Block' and 'Mark as Spam' the same on my phone?
Slightly different. On the Gmail app, tap the three dots next to an email, then tap either 'Block' or 'Report spam'. Same effect as on a computer.
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