Turn off email notifications in Facebook settings

Facebook sends email notifications by default when someone messages you, comments on your post, or tags you in something. To stop these emails, go to your Facebook settings, find the notifications section, and turn off the email option for each type of alert you don't want.

Open Facebook on a computer or phone. Click the down arrow in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Notifications. You'll see a list of notification types — messages, friend requests, comments, tags, and others. Next to each one, you'll see where you can receive that notification: on Facebook itself, by email, or by text.

For each notification type, click the option and uncheck Email. You can keep notifications turned on inside Facebook if you want to see them there — this only stops the emails. If you want to turn off a notification entirely, uncheck all the boxes for that type.

Key Takeaways

  • Email notifications are controlled individually in Facebook Settings under Notifications, so you can turn off emails for messages but keep them for friend requests if you prefer.
  • Unchecking the Email box stops that specific notification from reaching your inbox without affecting alerts you see inside Facebook itself.
  • Facebook also sends marketing and recommendation emails separately from notification emails, and those are controlled in a different settings section.
  • If you unsubscribe from an email Facebook sends you, Facebook will honor that choice, but you can always turn notifications back on later in settings.

Stop marketing and recommendation emails separately

Facebook also sends emails about new features, suggested content, and recommendations — these are different from notification emails and have their own off switch. These emails often say "You received this because you have a Facebook account" at the bottom.

In the same Notifications settings page, scroll down to find Email or Other notifications. Look for options like "Suggestions", "Recommendations", or "News and updates". Uncheck the boxes next to any of these you don't want to receive. You can also unsubscribe directly from any marketing email Facebook sends by clicking the unsubscribe link at the very bottom of that email.

Use the unsubscribe link in Facebook emails

Every email Facebook sends has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Clicking it removes you from that specific type of email without logging into Facebook or going to settings. This works for notification emails, marketing emails, and recommendation emails.

Open the Facebook email you want to stop receiving. Scroll to the very bottom. You'll see text that says "Unsubscribe from these emails" or "Manage your email preferences". Click that link. Facebook will show you options to unsubscribe from that email type or adjust your preferences. This method is faster if you only want to stop one or two types of emails.

Manage notification frequency and grouping

If you want to keep some notifications but receive them less often, Facebook lets you change how frequently emails arrive. Instead of getting an email every time someone comments on your post, you can get one daily digest email instead.

In Settings > Notifications, look for options labeled Frequency or Digest. Some notification types let you choose between "As it happens", "Daily digest", or "Weekly digest". Selecting a digest option means Facebook collects several notifications and sends them to you in one email at the end of the day or week, rather than sending separate emails throughout the day.

Turn off notifications for specific people or pages

You can also stop notifications from specific friends, pages, or groups without turning off all notifications of that type. This is useful if one person or page generates a lot of alerts you don't care about.

On a friend's profile, click the three dots menu and select Turn off notifications from [name]. On a page or group, look for the bell icon with a slash through it, or find a menu option that says "Mute notifications" or "Turn off notifications". You'll still be connected to that person or page, but you won't get alerts when they post or interact with you.

Check your email filter and spam settings

If you've turned off notifications in Facebook but emails keep arriving, the problem might be that Facebook is sending them from multiple email addresses or your email provider is not recognizing your unsubscribe request.

Check your email spam or promotions folder — Facebook emails sometimes land there by mistake. If you find them there, mark them as "not spam" so future emails go to your inbox, then unsubscribe from them properly. You can also create an email filter or rule that automatically deletes or sorts Facebook emails into a folder. In Gmail, Outlook, and most other email services, you can set up a filter by clicking the three dots on an email, selecting "Filter messages like this", and choosing what to do with future emails from that sender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off email notifications stop all Facebook alerts to my phone?

No. Email notifications and push notifications on your phone are separate. Turning off emails won't affect alerts you get on your phone or inside Facebook. To stop phone notifications, go to Settings > Notifications and uncheck the boxes next to "Push notifications" or "Mobile notifications".

Can I turn off emails from one type of notification but keep others?

Yes. Each notification type — messages, comments, tags, friend requests, and others — has its own email toggle. You can uncheck Email for comments but leave it checked for messages, for example. This gives you full control over which alerts reach your inbox.

What if I unsubscribe from an email and then change my mind?

Go back to Settings > Notifications and check the Email box for that notification type again. Facebook will resume sending those emails. Unsubscribing is not permanent — you can turn notifications back on anytime.

Why am I still getting Facebook emails after I turned off notifications?

Marketing and recommendation emails are controlled separately from notification emails. Check Settings > Notifications for options labeled "Suggestions", "Recommendations", or "News and updates" and uncheck those. You may also need to unsubscribe from each marketing email individually by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom.

Can I stop emails from one specific person without unfriending them?

Yes. Visit their profile, click the three dots menu, and select "Turn off notifications from [name]". You'll remain friends and can still see their posts, but you won't get email alerts when they interact with you or post something new.