How to block an email address depends on which service you use
The steps differ between Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and other providers, but all of them let you block senders so their messages skip your inbox and go straight to spam or a blocked folder. Most services also let you unblock someone later if you change your mind. This guide walks you through the blocking process for the most common email providers, plus what happens after you block someone.
Blocking is different from unsubscribing. When you unsubscribe from a mailing list, you ask the sender to remove you from their distribution. When you block, you tell your email service to treat that sender's messages as spam no matter what. Blocking works even if the sender keeps trying to reach you.
Key Takeaways
- In Gmail, open an email from the sender, click the three dots, and select "Block [sender]" — blocked messages go to spam automatically.
- In Outlook, right-click the sender's name in your inbox and choose "Block" — you can also manage blocked senders in Settings under Mail.
- In Yahoo Mail, click the three dots on an email and select "Block sender" — blocked messages appear in a separate blocked folder.
- You can unblock a sender at any time by going to your blocked senders list in settings and removing their address.
- Blocking only affects your account; it does not stop the sender from emailing you, but you will not see their messages.
How to block someone in Gmail
Open any email from the sender you want to block. Look for the three vertical dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner of the email. Click it, then select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown menu. Gmail will immediately move that email to spam and send all future messages from that address to your spam folder.
If you want to block someone without opening their email, you can right-click their name or address in your inbox list and select "Block [sender]" from the context menu. The result is the same — their messages go to spam automatically.
To see your list of blocked senders in Gmail, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), click "See all settings," then go to the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab. You will see every address you have blocked. Click the X next to any address to unblock them.
How to block someone in Outlook
In Outlook on the web, right-click the sender's name or email address in your inbox. A menu will appear with several options — select "Block." Outlook will move the current email to your Junk folder and send all future messages from that sender there as well.
You can also block someone by opening their email, clicking the three dots in the top right, and selecting "Block sender." The result is identical.
To manage your blocked senders list in Outlook, click the gear icon in the top right, select "View all Outlook settings," then go to Mail > Junk email. You will see a "Blocked senders" section where you can add addresses manually or see everyone you have already blocked. To unblock someone, find their address in the list and click the X next to it.
How to block someone in Yahoo Mail
Open an email from the sender you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions menu) in the top right corner of the email. Select "Block sender" from the menu. Yahoo Mail will move that email to a "Blocked" folder and send all future messages from that address there automatically.
Unlike Gmail and Outlook, Yahoo keeps blocked messages in a separate folder rather than mixing them with spam. This means you can still see what blocked senders are trying to send you if you check that folder, but they will not clutter your main inbox.
To see your blocked senders list or unblock someone, click the gear icon in the top right, select "Settings," then go to "Blocked addresses." You will see every address you have blocked. Click the X next to any address to remove them from the blocked list.
What happens after you block someone
Once you block an address, that sender can still send you emails — blocking does not prevent them from hitting send. What changes is that you will not see their messages. They go to spam, a blocked folder, or a junk folder depending on your email service. The sender has no way to know they have been blocked; they will not receive a notification or bounce-back message.
If you block someone by mistake, you can unblock them at any time by going to your blocked senders list in settings and removing their address. After you unblock them, their future emails will arrive in your inbox normally. However, emails they sent while they were blocked will stay in spam or the blocked folder — unblocking does not retrieve old messages.
Blocking email addresses on mobile apps
The process is similar on Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail mobile apps, though the menu locations differ slightly. In Gmail's mobile app, swipe left on an email (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android), then tap the trash or block icon. In Outlook's mobile app, swipe left on an email and tap the block icon. In Yahoo Mail's mobile app, swipe left and tap "Block."
If you cannot find the block option in your mobile app, open the email, tap the three dots or menu icon, and look for "Block sender" or "Block" in the options. If your app does not have a block feature, you can always block the sender through the web version of your email service on your phone's browser.
When blocking is not enough
If you are receiving many emails from different addresses that look similar or come from the same organization, blocking one address at a time can be tedious. Most email services let you create filters or rules that automatically send emails matching certain words or patterns to spam. For example, you can create a filter that sends any email containing a specific word or phrase to spam, even if it comes from a new address.
In Gmail, go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter. Type the sender's address or a word you want to filter, then choose "Skip the Inbox (Archive)" or "Delete it." In Outlook, go to Settings > Mail > Rules and create a rule that moves emails from certain senders or containing certain words to Junk. These filters catch emails before they reach your inbox, which is more powerful than blocking a single address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked sender tell that I blocked them?
No. When you block someone, they receive no notification. Their emails simply disappear into spam or a blocked folder on your end. They will not get a bounce-back message or any indication that you blocked them — as far as they know, their emails are reaching you normally.
If I block someone, will old emails from them disappear?
No. Blocking only affects new emails. Any messages from that sender that are already in your inbox will stay there. Only future emails from that address will go to spam or the blocked folder. If you want to remove old emails from a blocked sender, you have to delete them manually.
What is the difference between blocking and unsubscribing?
Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list — you are asking the sender to stop sending you emails. Blocking tells your email service to treat that sender as spam. Unsubscribe if you want the sender to know you are not interested; block if you want to stop seeing their emails regardless of whether they keep trying to send them.
Can I block an entire domain instead of just one email address?
Most email services do not have a built-in block-by-domain feature, but you can create a filter that catches emails from any address at a specific domain. In Gmail, create a filter with "from:@example.com" (replace example.com with the domain you want to block). In Outlook, create a rule that blocks emails from addresses containing that domain name. This is more effective than blocking individual addresses if you are being harassed by multiple people at the same organization.
Can I block emails on my phone if I use the Gmail or Outlook app?
Yes. In the Gmail app, swipe left on an email and tap the block icon. In the Outlook app, swipe left and tap the block option. If your app does not show a block button, open the email, tap the menu (three dots), and look for "Block sender." You can also block anyone through the web version of your email service on your phone's browser.