How to Stop Spam Emails Permanently (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and More)

Spam emails are more than just annoying, they piss me off Completely everytime.

They clutter your inbox, slow down productivity, and in some cases, even carry phishing links or malware. You unsubscribe, you report them, but somehow, they keep coming back.

If you’ve ever wondered “How do I stop spam emails permanently?”, this is the ultimate guide you need.

I’ll break down everything you must do across:

• Gmail
• Outlook
• Yahoo
• Mobile email apps
• Work and personal accounts

And we’ll also go beyond the basics because just clicking “unsubscribe” isn’t enough.

What is Spam Email and Why You’re Getting It

Spam emails are unsolicited messages often used for:

• Advertising
• Phishing scams
• Malware distribution
• Fake job or prize offers
• Identity theft

You receive spam because:

• Your email address was exposed online (forums, leaks, social media)
• You signed up for shady websites
• A third-party company sold your data
• Spammers guessed your address using software

If you want to stop it permanently, you’ll need to act on multiple levels.

Step 1: Start With Your Existing Inbox

Delete All Obvious Spam Emails

Go through your inbox and delete anything you know is spam. Do this manually first.

Mark Spam Properly

Every email service has a “Report as Spam” or “Junk” button. Use it.

This teaches your provider’s algorithm to:

• Filter similar emails in the future
• Send them straight to the spam folder
• Block related domains

Do NOT just delete. Always mark as spam.

Step 2: Unsubscribe Safely

Legitimate companies include an “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of their emails.

Only unsubscribe if:

• You recognize the sender
• The company is trustworthy

Avoid clicking unsubscribe in emails that look:

• Generic
• From unknown senders
• Too good to be true

Because some fake unsubscribe links actually confirm your email is active which is leading to more spam.

Step 3: Create Email Filters and Rules

For Gmail:

1. Click the gear icon → See All Settings
2. Go to Filters and Blocked Addresses
3. Click Create a new filter
4. Enter criteria like:
   • From: @shady-domain.com
   • Subject includes “Congratulations”
5. Click Create filter, then choose:
   • Delete it
   • Skip the inbox

Set up filters for:

• Repeat offenders
• Certain keywords (lottery, bonus, urgent)

For Outlook:

1. Click Settings > View all Outlook settings
2. Go to Mail > Rules
3. Add a new rule
4. Set conditions and actions like:
   • Move to Junk
   • Delete

For Yahoo:

1. Click Settings > More Settings > Filters
2. Create a new filter
3. Define the rules (sender, subject, keywords)
4. Choose to send emails to Trash or Spam

Filters are powerful when done correctly and they work long-term.

Step 4: Use a Secondary Email for Sign-Ups

One common mistake is using your main email for everything. Stop doing this.

Create a secondary (or throwaway) email for:

• Newsletters
• App trials
• Free downloads
• Contests

Use your primary email only for:

• Personal contacts
• Work
• Financial accounts
• Critical services

You’ll see an immediate drop in spam just by isolating the “junk exposure.”

Step 5: Enable Spam Protection Features

Most major email providers offer built-in spam protection. Make sure it’s on.

Gmail:

Gmail automatically uses AI to filter spam. But enhance it by:

• Turning off “Smart Features” in settings to stop data-based ad suggestions
• Avoiding promotions tab clutter

Outlook:

• Use Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (if available)
• Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email and add trusted or blocked domains

Yahoo:

• Activate “SpamGuard”
• Set filters for suspicious senders
• Mark senders as “Not Spam” to train the filter

Step 6: Hide or Mask Your Email Address Online

Your email address is often harvested from:

• Public profiles (LinkedIn, Facebook, GitHub)
• Blogs or comment sections
• Forums

Do this:

• Never post your email in plain text (e.g., john@gmail.com)
• Use format like: john [at] gmail [dot] com
• Use contact forms instead of publishing your address
• Use email aliasing or masking services like:
  • Firefox Relay
  • SimpleLogin
  • AnonAddy

These tools give you temporary email addresses that forward to your real inbox.

Step 7: Use Disposable Email Services

When you need to register for a one-time thing, don’t use your real email.

Use temporary email services like:

• 10MinuteMail
• Maildrop
• Guerrilla Mail
• TempMail

They vanish after a few minutes or hours which is perfect for avoiding future spam.

Step 8: Block Specific Email Addresses or Domains

When filters aren’t enough, block entire domains.

Gmail:

1. Open the spam email
2. Click the 3 dots (menu) in the top right
3. Select Block [Sender]

You can also block:

• All emails from a domain: *@suspiciousdomain.com

Outlook:

1. Right-click the email → Security Options
2. Choose Block Sender or Block Domain

Yahoo:

1. Click Settings > More Settings > Security and Privacy
2. Add email addresses or domains to your blocked list

This stops the sender from reaching you again and forever.

Step 9: Use Third-Party Anti-Spam Tools

If spam still finds its way in, layer up with extra tools.

Top options:

• Clean Email – Smart filters, unsubscribe tool, inbox cleanup
• SpamTitan – Business-grade spam blocker
• MailWasher – View and delete spam before it reaches inbox
• ProtonMail – Built-in encryption and spam protection

You can also consider using email services that prioritize privacy:

• ProtonMail
• Tutanota
• Zoho Mail

Step 10: Secure Your Email to Prevent Spam Attacks

Hackers may use your email to send spam on your behalf.

To secure your account:

• Use a strong, unique password
• Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
• Never click suspicious links
• Regularly scan for data breaches at haveibeenpwned.com
• Update recovery options and backup email addresses

When your account is secure, spammers have fewer ways to use or abuse it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why do I keep getting spam even after unsubscribing?
Because many spam emails are fake or malicious. Clicking unsubscribe in those emails confirms your address is active, leading to more spam.

Q2: Will changing my email stop spam?
Temporarily yes. But if your new email is exposed again, spam will return. It’s better to protect your email from the start and use filters, aliases, and privacy tools.

Q3: Can I report spam emails legally?
Yes. Report phishing or scam emails to:

• Gmail: reportphishing@google.com
• Microsoft: report@phishing.microsoft.com
• FTC: spam@uce.gov

Q4: Should I reply to spam emails asking to stop?
Never. Replying only proves your email is active and encourages more spam.