The fastest way to block someone in Gmail
Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions menu) in the top right of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown. Gmail will move that sender's future emails to spam automatically, and you won't see notifications when they write.
That's the complete process. Once blocked, emails from that address go straight to your spam folder. You can unblock the person later by going to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Blocked addresses, finding their name, and clicking "Unblock".
Key Takeaways
- You can block a sender in three clicks from any email they sent you: open the email, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block [name]".
- Blocked emails land in spam automatically, and Gmail stops sending you notifications when they arrive.
- Blocking only affects emails from that exact address — if someone uses a different email account, those messages won't be blocked.
- You can unblock someone anytime through Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Blocked addresses.
- Blocking does not notify the sender or prevent them from emailing you; it only hides their messages from your inbox.
What happens when you block someone
When you block an email address, Gmail sends their messages to your spam folder instead of your inbox. You won't see a notification badge or alert when they email you. The blocked sender has no way to know they've been blocked — Gmail doesn't send them a message, and their emails don't bounce back.
The person can still send you emails. They just won't know whether you're reading them. If they contact you through another channel (text, phone, social media) asking why you're not responding, that's on you to handle.
Blocking doesn't work across email addresses
If you block john@company.com, Gmail only blocks that exact address. If John signs up for a new email account at john@gmail.com or uses a different domain, those emails won't be blocked automatically. You'll need to block each address separately.
This matters if someone is harassing you from multiple accounts. You may need to block several addresses over time. If the harassment is severe or ongoing, consider reporting the emails to Gmail as spam or abuse instead — that helps Gmail identify patterns across many users.
How to report spam or abuse instead of just blocking
If an email is harassing, threatening, or part of a scam, blocking alone may not be enough. Open the email and click the three-dot menu, then select "Report spam" or "Report phishing" depending on what the email is doing. This tells Gmail's abuse team about the message and helps them train their filters to catch similar emails from other senders.
Reporting is especially useful if you're receiving unwanted emails from a business or service you signed up for. Gmail uses reports to identify which senders are violating their policies. Blocking just hides the problem from you; reporting helps prevent it from reaching other people.
Unblocking someone if you change your mind
Go to Gmail Settings (the gear icon in the top right, then "See all settings"). Click the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab. Scroll to the "Blocked addresses" section at the bottom. Find the person's name or email address and click "Unblock" next to their entry.
Once you unblock them, their future emails will go to your inbox normally again. Any emails they sent while they were blocked will still be in your spam folder — unblocking doesn't move old messages back to your inbox automatically. You can move them manually if you want to read them.
Using filters for more control than blocking
Blocking is straightforward but blunt. If you want more control — for example, sending someone's emails to a specific folder instead of spam, or marking them as read automatically — use a filter instead. Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter. Enter the sender's email address and set the action (archive, delete, label, mark as read, or send to a folder).
Filters are useful when you want to stay organized without completely hiding someone's messages. For instance, you might filter emails from a mailing list into a folder you check once a week, rather than blocking them entirely. You can also create a filter that applies to multiple senders at once by using the OR operator (sender1@example.com OR sender2@example.com).
Blocking on mobile Gmail
On the Gmail app for iPhone or Android, open an email from the person you want to block. Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select "Block [sender's name]". The process is identical to desktop Gmail.
Blocked emails go to spam on your phone the same way they do on a computer. Your block settings sync across all devices, so if you block someone on your phone, they're blocked when you check Gmail on your laptop too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block an email address that doesn't exist yet?
No. You can only block addresses that have already sent you an email. If you're worried about someone creating a new account to contact you, wait until they do, then block that address. You can also create a filter with a pattern (like "john*@gmail.com") to catch variations, though this requires going through Settings rather than the quick block button.
Does blocking someone in Gmail block them on other Google services?
No. Blocking in Gmail only affects email. If you want to block someone on YouTube, Google Meet, or Google Chat, you need to block them separately in each service. Gmail blocking does not carry over.
What if someone is harassing me and keeps creating new email accounts?
Block each new address as it arrives. If the harassment is severe, report the emails as abuse rather than just blocking them — click the three-dot menu and select "Report phishing" or "Report spam". You can also contact Gmail's support team directly if you believe you're being targeted. In serious cases (threats, stalking), contact local law enforcement.
Can I block an entire domain, like everyone at company.com?
Not directly through the block button. You can create a filter that catches all emails from a domain by using the sender field "from:(@company.com)" in Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter, then set the action to delete or archive. This is more powerful than blocking a single address but also riskier if you might need to receive emails from that domain later.
Will the person know I blocked them?
No. Gmail doesn't notify them, and their emails don't bounce back. They won't receive any message saying they've been blocked. The only way they'd know is if they contact you through another method and you tell them, or if they notice you never respond to their emails.