How to Block an Email Address & Have Them Know You Blocked It in Gmail Email

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You can block frustrating, unwanted emails in Gmail by creating special filters for the email address.

Gmail is a robust online email service that allows you to create detailed contact lists, organize your inbox and prioritize the email you receive with labels and groups. However, if you're receiving unwanted mail from someone, you may want to block them altogether. Gmail's block feature works by filtering out the sender's incoming emails and circumventing them to an unseen folder--in this case, the "Trash" folder. To block an email address and make the sender aware that you've blocked the address, you must create a filter blocking the email address, then notify the sender with a follow-up email.

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Block the Sender

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Step 1

Log in to your Gmail account. Visit gmail.com and enter the email address and password for the account from which you wish to block the sender.

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Step 2

Click the small blue "Create a Filter" link next to the "Search the Web" button near the top.

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Step 3

Type the email address you wish to block in the "From" field.

Step 4

Click the "Next Step" button.

Step 5

Check the box next to the "Delete" option. This will automatically move all the emails you receive from this email address to the trash. Gmail will block you from ever seeing these emails unless you read your deleted emails.

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Notify the Blocked Sender

Step 1

Click the "Compose Mail" button to create a new email.

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Step 2

Enter the blocked sender's email address in the "To" field.

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Step 3

Type a brief message letting the blocked sender know you have blocked all incoming emails from that email address and you will not see any replies or new correspondence the person sends.

Step 4

Click the "Send" button to send the email. If the person replies from the same address, you will not see the emails.

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