How to Block Emails on Gmail (And Make It Stick This Time)

How to Block Emails on Gmail and Advanced Security Tips for 2026

Key insights 

• Blocking, unsubscribing, and marking as spam each serve different purposes, but all are manual, one-by-one actions.
• Gmail offers built-in controls to manage unwanted emails, but prioritization and categorization still depend largely on user input.
• Revo adds an intelligence layer by automatically categorizing emails and helping you decide what needs action without constant sorting.

You've tried the unsubscribe button. You've tried ignoring them. But those persistent senders keep appearing in your inbox like uninvited guests.

Here's the thing: learning how to block emails on Gmail isn't complicated. You can block an email address in just a few clicks. But understanding the difference between blocking, unsubscribing, and marking as spam? That's where most people stumble, and why those annoying emails keep sneaking through.

Gmail blocks over 15 billion spam emails every day. But some junk still slips through. Let's fix that.

Why You Should Block Emails on Gmail

We all have that one sender who keeps slipping past filters. Blocking emails on Gmail is the quickest way to shut that door for good. 

It stops repeat clutter, reduces distraction, and lowers the chances of accidentally engaging with suspicious messages. 

Instead of constantly deleting the same emails, you set a boundary once, and Gmail handles the rest quietly in the background.

Blocking vs. Unsubscribing vs. Spam: Three Different Tools

Most people use the wrong tool. They unsubscribe from phishing scams (which just confirms their email address is active). They spam-mark newsletters they signed up for (which confuses Gmail's learning). They block someone once and assume that fixes everything.

Let’s look at these three different actions with different outcomes.

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How to Block Someone on Gmail Desktop

Here's the straightforward process, according to Google's official support documentation:

• Open Gmail and open the email from the sender you want to block
• Look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner, next to the Reply button
• Click those dots to open the menu
• Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu
• Gmail will ask you to confirm. Click the block button. Done.

From this moment forward, every email from that address lands in your spam folder. Gmail automatically moves all future emails from the sender to spam. You won't see notifications. They won't appear in your inbox.

• To double-check if it worked? Here’s what you’ll do:
  Go to Settings (the gear icon)
• See all settings
• Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. This is where you'll see the complete block list of blocked senders there.

How to Block Emails on Gmail App

The mobile process works the same way. The button locations change slightly on Android versus iOS.

• Open the Gmail app on your phone
• Find and tap an email from the offending sender
• Look for the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of the message
• Tap those dots to open the menu
• Select "Block [sender's name]"
• Confirm your decision. 

The block syncs across all your devices. Block someone on your phone, and your desktop blocks them too.

Quick tip: the Gmail app sometimes buries the block button under "More options" depending on your screen size. Scroll down in that menu if you don't see it right away.

Setting Up Gmail Spam Filter Settings

Blocking individual senders works for specific problems. But what about entire categories of junk? That's where the filter feature comes in.

• Click the search bar at the top of Gmail. 
• On the right side, click the icon to open "Search options." 
• Now filter by sender, subject line, words, or attachment status.

Block the whole domain, not just one sender if you want to stop unwanted emails from companies that send from multiple email addresses. 

Here are steps to block all emails from a specific domain: 

• Type the domain in the "From" field. 
• Click "Create filter." 
• Check "Delete it" or "Skip the inbox." 
• Matching emails are automatically moved away from your inbox.

How to Report Phishing Emails

Here's where it gets serious. According to Google's phishing guidelines, phishing scams impersonate legitimate organizations to steal your credit card numbers or personal information.

Watch for emails asking for passwords, claiming your account is compromised, or offering prizes you didn't enter to win. It’s important that you report these emails. Don't just block them.

Here’s how you will do this:

• Open the suspicious email
• Click the three vertical dots next to Reply
• Select "Report phishing"
• Confirm by clicking "Report Phishing Message"

This removes the email from your inbox and sends a copy to Google's security team. They analyze reported phishing emails to protect all Gmail users.

The distinction matters. Blocking stops emails from reaching your inbox. Reporting phishing helps stop scammers from reaching everyone.

Managing Your Blocked Senders List

Here’s what you’ll do if you need to unblock sender addresses you blocked by mistake. 

• Go to Settings
• Click on Filters and Blocked Addresses 
• Scroll to find your blocked senders list 
• Click "Unblock" next to any email address or domain you want to remove

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You can also find their emails in your spam folder, open one, and click "Unblock sender." 

It’s a good practice to review this list every few months as you might find blocked addresses belonging to people you actually need to hear from now.

Security Tips That Actually Help

Gmail's filters catch most threats. A few habits make a real difference to stop unwanted emails and protect your email account across all email services.

• Never click links in emails asking you to "verify" your Gmail account. Real companies don't request passwords via email. If concerned, open a new browser tab and go directly to the company's website.
• Check sender addresses carefully. Scammers use lookalike domains like "support@paypa1.com" (that's a number one, not the letter L). Hover over the sender name to reveal the actual email address. Always verify emails from the sender before clicking anything.
• Enable two-factor protection on your Google account. Even if someone steals your password, they can't access your email account without your phone.
• Use an AI email assistant like Revo. It automatically categorizes incoming emails and surface unusual patterns, adding another layer of visibility alongside Gmail’s built-in filters.

Focus on Emails That Actually Matter

Blocking spam and managing junk mail takes time. A few minutes per day becomes hours per month spent on unwanted messages.

Here's the real problem: while you're busy filtering out garbage, your important emails pile up. 

Imagine missing out on the feature request from your biggest client. Or failing to address the scheduling conflict your team needs resolved. Or forgetting to respond to the follow-up your colleague sent three days ago.

This is where you can benefit from an AI email automation tool like Revo which handles spams like a pro.

Revo is a smart email tool that categorizes emails based on priority and tasks. It helps you focus on emails that require your attention immediately, like the ones from your biggest clients or a follow up from your boss. 

Revo works differently. Gmail handles spam. Revo focuses on helping you respond to the emails that matter.

Revo connects to your company context; your CRM, project management tools, and meeting notes.

It drafts accurate, fact-based replies based on what's true in your business. Not guesses or generic templates.

So block the junk. Report the phishing scams. But for the emails that deserve real attention, let AI handle the drafting while you handle the decisions.

Stop drowning in piles of emails and start your 7-day free trial to see what happens when your email AI actually knows your business.