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Are you sick of spam flooding your Gmail inbox? It’s tiring to constantly delete unwanted emails and sift through the mess. Here are my top strategies for controlling spam in Gmail.
1Avoid Sharing Email Online Unless Needed
I personally usedisposable email addresses(temporary emails) for online activities that need an email but don’t require linking to my personal account. This way, I keep my main email address private and only share it with trusted sources. As a result, I’ve significantly reduced spam cluttering my inbox.
2Be Cautious with Links and Attachments
Spammers often target your inbox with phishing emails containing suspicious links or attachments. These emails can install malware on your device or direct you to fraudulent login pages designed to steal your personal info. To avoid these traps, be cautious when clicking links or downloading attachments.
Always verify the sender’s email address, hover over links to check the actual URL, and delete suspicious emails without opening them. Spammers also use bait tactics, offering fake links or attachments to lure unsuspecting users. So, think twice before clicking on suspicious links or emails asking for sensitive information.
3Create an Email Alias
An email alias is an alternate address that redirects emails to your primary account. You cancreate multiple email aliases(up to 30 aliases) and use filters to manage spam effectively. For example, if your primary email address is vijay@gmail.com, you could use vijay+deal@gmail.com as an alias.
Emails sent to this alias will still arrive in your main inbox, but you may configure filters to delete or bypass them. To do this, open your Gmail account and click the settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right corner. Then, go toSee all settings>Filters and Blocked Addresses>Create a new filter.
In theTofield, enter your email alias (vijay+deal@gmail.com) and clickCreate filter. From there, selectDelete itorSkip the Inbox (Archive it). Then clickCreate filterto apply the changes. Now spam emails sent to your email alias will be automatically deleted or archived without cluttering your inbox.
4Unsubscribe from Promotional Emails
5Block and Report Suspicious Emails
Even after unsubscribing from promotional emails, you might still receive suspicious ones you never signed up for. These could be phishing attempts—a common tactic scammers use to obtain personal information or spread malware. Such emails often come from fake or masked addresses, making their legitimacy challenging to determine. They may also use alarming subject lines or urgent tones to lure you into clicking links or downloading attachments.
If you receive a suspicious email, don’t engage with the sender. Avoid clicking links, downloading attachments, or replying. Instead, block the sender and report the email as spam or phishing. To block a sender, open the email, clickMore(three dots) >Block"the sender’s email address." A confirmation pop-up will appear; once confirmed, future emails from that sender will be marked as spam.
Similarly, to report an email as spam or phishing, selectMore(three dots) >Report phishingorReport spam. Doing this will prevent the sender from targeting others in the future.
you may also report suspicious emails to organizations like theFederal Trade Commission (FTC)or the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG). These organizations track and shut down phishing attempts, protecting consumers from online scams. By reporting these emails, you can prevent others from falling victim to scams.
6Create a Canned Response Template
A canned response template, or email template, is a pre-written message you can save for repeated inquiries. Instead of crafting a new email each time, you can choose a template and personalize it as needed. Creating an email template saves time and ensures consistency in your responses. It also keeps your inbox organized and prevents delays in replies.
To create an email template, log into your email account and click on theGearicon (Settings) located in the top right corner. Next, selectSee all settingsand navigate to theAdvancedtab. Scroll down to theTemplatessection and click theEnablecheckbox. Finally, clickSave Changesto apply your settings.
After enabling the template settings, the next step is to create your template. In your inbox, clickComposeto start a new email. Write the response message you wish to use as a template.
Once you’re satisfied with the content, click on thethree dotsin the bottom right corner. Then, navigate toTemplates>Save draft as template>Save as new template. In the pop-up window,name your templateand clickSave.
In Gmail, you can store up to 50 different response templates at once. Now that you have set up your template, you need to create an automated response filter that responds to incoming emails with specific keywords.
To create the filter, click theGear icon(Settings) and selectSee all settings. Go toFilters and Blocked Addresses>Create a new filter.
In theHas the wordsfield, enter the keywords or phrases that will trigger your template. For example, if you frequently receive recruitment inquiries, enter “recruit,” “job opportunity,” or “career.” Then, clickCreate filter.
In the next window, check the box forSkip the Inbox (Archive it)to keep these emails out of your inbox. Then, check theSend templatebox and select your template from the drop-down menu. Finally, clickCreate filterto apply the changes.
When an email with the specified keyword or phrase arrives, your template will be sent automatically as a reply. By doing this, neither your inbox will be cluttered, nor the sender will have to wait.
