How to Mark Email as Spam

Report unwanted or suspicious emails as spam to clean up your inbox and help Gmail filter better.

Steps

1
Open Gmail
and find the unwanted email in your inbox. You can also open it to preview its contents.
2
Click the exclamation mark icon
in the toolbar above the email list. This is the "Report spam" button.
3
Confirm the action
if prompted. The email moves to your Spam folder and Gmail learns to block similar messages.

What happens when I mark something as spam?Show

Gmail moves it to your Spam folder and deletes it after 30 days. Future emails from that sender also go to spam.

Does marking as spam block the sender?Show

Not exactly. It tells Gmail the sender is untrustworthy. Emails may still reach your Spam folder instead of your inbox.

How do I unmark an email as spam?Show

Go to your Spam folder, open the email, and click "Report not spam" at the top. The email returns to your inbox.

Can I report spam on the Gmail mobile app?Show

Yes. Open the email, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Report spam."

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated May 18, 2026.