Your Complete Guide to Blocking Emails on Gmail

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.

Blocking vs. Unsubscribing vs. Spam: Three Different Tools

These are three different actions with different outcomes.

Blocking a sender sends future messages from that sender directly to your spam folder. Gmail automatically moves these messages out of sight. The sender doesn't know you blocked them. They just disappear from your inbox.

This is your nuclear option for specific, persistent offenders.

Unsubscribing tells the sender to remove you from their mailing list. This works for legitimate businesses who follow email marketing laws. It does not work for scammers who never gave you a choice.

Marking emails as spam trains Gmail's filters to catch similar incoming emails. This helps Gmail filter future messages from any sender with similar patterns.

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.

How to Block Someone on Gmail Desktop

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

1. Open Gmail and open the email from the sender you want to block
2. Look for the three vertical dots in the top right corner, next to the Reply button
3. Click those dots to open the menu
4. 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.

Want to double-check it worked? Go to Settings (the gear icon), then "See all settings," then the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab. You'll see your full 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.

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

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

One quirk: 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." Here you can filter by sender, subject line, words, or attachment status.

To block all emails from a specific domain, type the domain in the "From" field. Click "Create filter." Then check "Delete it" or "Skip the inbox." Matching emails are automatically moved away from your inbox.

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

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. Report these emails. Don't just block them.

1. Open the suspicious email
2. Click the three vertical dots next to Reply
3. Select "Report phishing"
4. 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

Need to unblock sender addresses you blocked by mistake? Go to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses. Scroll to find your blocked senders list. Click "Unblock" next to any email address or domain you want to remove.

You can also find their emails in your spam folder, open one, and click "Unblock sender." Review this list every few months, 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.

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. The feature request from your biggest client. The scheduling conflict your team needs resolved. The follow-up your colleague sent three days ago.

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. Not 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.

Ready to stop drowning in email responses? Start your free trial and see what happens when your email AI actually knows your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does blocking someone on Gmail notify them?

No. Gmail does not notify senders when you block them. Gmail redirects their emails to your spam folder without any bounce message or alert. From their perspective, the email appears to send normally, they have no way of knowing about the block.

What's the difference between blocking and marking emails as spam in Gmail?

Blocking targets a specific sender and sends all their future messages directly to spam. Marking emails as spam trains Gmail to recognize similar incoming emails from any sender. Use blocking for persistent individuals. Use spam reporting for scam-like messages so Gmail can protect other users too.

Will blocked senders know I blocked them?

No. Blocked senders receive no indication of the block. Their emails don't bounce back, they just land in your spam folder. They might guess based on your lack of response over time, but Gmail sends no notification.

How do I block emails from an entire domain in Gmail?

Use the filter feature instead of the block button. Click the search options icon and enter the domain (like @example.com) in the "From" field. Then click "Create filter" and select "Delete it" or "Skip the inbox." This blocks all addresses from that domain.

Will blocking work on both my phone and computer?

Yes. When you block someone on any device, phone, tablet, or computer, the block syncs across your entire Gmail account. You only need to block a sender once. The block then applies everywhere you access Gmail, including third-party email services.