How to Stop Spam Emails: Unsubscribe, Block and Filter

November 1, 2026 · 5 min read · the Tempgmail.io team

Spam rarely stops with one click. The fix depends on who is sending: a real company you once signed up with, an unknown bulk sender, or a scammer. Sort the mail first, then use the right tool for each kind.

Sort the mail before you act

Unsubscribe from senders you recognise

Gmail shows an Unsubscribe or Change preferences option next to the sender name for many bulk messages. Use it for companies you actually signed up with; legitimate senders are expected to honour the request.

Do not click unsubscribe links inside messages that already look suspicious. On a scam email, that click can confirm that your address is active. Report those instead.

Block, report and filter in Gmail

1. To block a sender, open the message, choose More next to Reply, then Block. Future mail from that sender goes to Spam.
2. To report spam, select the message and choose Report spam. This also helps Gmail learn what you consider unwanted.
3. To filter, use Show search options in the search bar, enter a sender, word or subject, then choose Create filter and pick an action such as Archive or Delete.
4. Review Settings, then Filters and Blocked Addresses, every few months so old rules do not hide mail you now want.

Keep your main address off new lists

Most spam starts with a sign-up. Before entering your email on a site, ask whether you will need messages from it later. For a one-time download, a quick test or a preview, a temporary inbox keeps that sender away from your main mailbox.

For shops and newsletters you want to keep, a Gmail plus tag such as [email protected] lets you see which sender shared your address and filter it later. Some sites reject plus tags, so check that the address was saved correctly.

Habits that reduce spam over time

• Untick marketing boxes during checkout and sign-up.
• Avoid posting your full email address in public profiles and comments.
• Delete old accounts you no longer use; each one is another place your address is stored.
• Use a different, strong password for your email account and turn on 2-Step Verification, so a leaked list does not also expose your inbox.

When spam suddenly increases

A sharp rise in spam can mean your address appeared in a data breach or a purchased list. Check whether any messages ask you to reset passwords you did not request. If they do, change your email password from the official site, not from a link in a message, and review recent sign-in activity.