Delete the email, then block the sender
The fastest way to get rid of an unwanted email is to select it and hit delete — but deleting one message does not stop the next one from arriving. To actually stop the sender, you need two steps: delete what you have, then block or unsubscribe from what is coming.
In Gmail, select the email, click the trash icon, then click the sender's name at the top and choose "Block [sender]". In Outlook, right-click the message, select "Junk", then "Block Sender". In Apple Mail, click the message, go to Mail menu, select "Junk Mail", then "Add Sender to Junk Mail List". Each program moves future emails from that sender straight to spam automatically.
Blocking works best for emails from people you know — ex-partners, former colleagues, anyone sending you repeated unwanted messages. It is less useful for marketing emails, because companies often send from rotating email addresses. For those, look for an "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the message instead.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting an email removes it from your inbox but does not stop future messages; you must block the sender or unsubscribe separately.
- Blocking works by telling your email program to send all future messages from that sender to spam automatically.
- Marketing and promotional emails usually have an unsubscribe link at the bottom that removes you from their mailing list.
- Never reply to spam or click "unsubscribe" on emails from unknown senders, because it confirms your address is active.
- Legitimate unsubscribe links are required by law for marketing email in the United States and Europe, but scam emails often have fake ones.
Unsubscribe from marketing emails safely
Most promotional emails — newsletters, sales alerts, account notifications from retailers — include an unsubscribe link at the very bottom. Clicking it removes your address from that sender's mailing list. This is the correct way to stop legitimate marketing email, and it usually takes effect within a few days.
The risk is clicking unsubscribe on an email you do not recognize from a sender you did not sign up for. Scammers sometimes include fake unsubscribe links that do nothing, or worse, confirm to them that your email address is real and monitored. A safe rule: only unsubscribe from senders whose name you recognize or whose service you actually use. If you do not remember signing up, delete it and move on.
If you unsubscribe and the emails keep coming, mark them as spam instead. After you report several messages from the same sender, your email program learns to filter them automatically. Do not reply to the sender or click any links in the message.
Use filters and rules to sort emails automatically
Most email programs let you create rules that automatically sort, delete, or move emails based on the sender, subject line, or keywords. This is useful when you want to keep emails from a sender but organize them into a folder, or when you want to delete emails matching a pattern without reading each one.
In Gmail, open an email from the sender, click the three-dot menu, select "Create filter", then choose what to do with future emails from that sender — archive them, mark as spam, or move to a folder. In Outlook, right-click a message, select "Rules", then "Create Rule" and set the conditions and action. In Apple Mail, select a message, go to Mail menu, choose "Create Rule", and specify the sender or subject line you want to filter.
Filters are most useful for newsletters you want to keep but not see in your main inbox, or for emails from a specific domain you want to delete automatically. Be careful with rules that delete automatically — if you set a rule too broad, you might delete something you needed.
Recognize and avoid spam before it arrives
The best way to reduce unwanted email is to limit how many places have your address in the first place. When you sign up for a website, newsletter, or service, you are giving them permission to email you. Read the checkbox before you submit — many sites have a box pre-checked that signs you up for marketing email, and unchecking it stops those messages before they start.
If you shop online or sign up for accounts frequently, consider using a separate email address just for shopping and signups. Services like Gmail let you create multiple addresses for free, or you can use a temporary email service for one-time signups. This keeps marketing email away from your main inbox and the address you give to people you actually know.
Be cautious about where you post your email publicly. Scammers use automated tools to harvest email addresses from websites, forums, and social media. If you must post your address online, write it as "name at domain dot com" instead of the actual address, or use a contact form instead of listing it directly.
Tell the difference between spam and phishing
Spam is unwanted marketing email — annoying but usually harmless. Phishing is an email designed to trick you into giving up passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information. Phishing emails often look like they come from a bank, payment service, or company you use, but they are forgeries.
A phishing email usually asks you to "verify your account", "confirm your identity", "update your payment method", or "click here to resolve a problem". The link does not go to the real company — it goes to a fake website that looks identical but captures whatever you type. Legitimate companies never ask you to confirm sensitive information by email or by clicking a link.
If you receive an email claiming to be from your bank, PayPal, Amazon, or any financial service, do not click any links in the message. Instead, go directly to the company's website by typing the address into your browser, or call the number on the back of your card. Report the phishing email to the company and to your email provider. In Gmail, click the three-dot menu and select "Report phishing". In Outlook, right-click and select "Report Phishing Message".
Empty your trash and spam folders regularly
Deleted emails and spam do not disappear when ready — they sit in your Trash or Spam folder for a set time before your email program deletes them permanently. Gmail keeps Trash for 30 days and Spam for 30 days. Outlook keeps Deleted Items for 30 days by default, though your administrator may have changed this. Apple Mail keeps Trash until you empty it manually.
Permanently deleting old emails frees up storage space on your account, especially if you have a lot of attachments. In Gmail, go to Trash, click "Delete all" to empty it permanently. In Outlook, right-click the Deleted Items folder and select "Empty Folder". In Apple Mail, go to Mailbox menu and select "Erase Deleted Items". You can also set your email program to empty Trash automatically after a certain number of days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I click unsubscribe on a spam email I did not sign up for?
If the email is from a legitimate company, clicking unsubscribe removes you from their list and you should see fewer emails within days. If the email is from a scammer, clicking unsubscribe confirms your address is active and monitored, which may lead to more spam. Only unsubscribe from senders you recognize. For unknown senders, delete the email and mark it as spam instead.
Can I recover an email I deleted by mistake?
Yes, if you act quickly. Deleted emails sit in your Trash folder for 30 days in Gmail and Outlook before they are permanently removed. Open your Trash folder, find the email, and move it back to your inbox. After 30 days, the email is gone permanently and cannot be recovered. Apple Mail keeps deleted items until you manually empty the Trash, so you have more time to recover them.
Is it safe to unsubscribe from emails using the link in the message?
It is safe to unsubscribe from emails sent by legitimate companies — retailers, newsletters, services you signed up for. These unsubscribe links are required by law in the United States and Europe. However, do not click unsubscribe on emails from unknown senders, suspicious companies, or messages that look like phishing. When in doubt, delete and mark as spam instead.
Why do I still get emails after I blocked the sender?
Blocking only works on the exact email address you blocked. If the sender is using multiple addresses or a rotating list of addresses, blocking one will not stop the others. Mark each new message as spam, and after several reports, your email program will learn to filter them automatically. If the emails are from a company, look for an unsubscribe link instead.
What should I do if I get an email asking me to confirm my password or payment information?
Do not click any links or reply to the email. Legitimate companies never ask you to confirm sensitive information by email. Go directly to the company's website by typing the address into your browser, or call the number on your card or account statement. Report the email as phishing to your email provider and to the company being impersonated.