Block Contact on gmail

November 9, 2006 6:44 PM

I use google gmail and like it. But I cannot find out how to block a certain contact. I do not use google chat. It is my understanding that you look at the contact list and under "Show in Quick Contacts" select BLOCK. I cannot find quick contacts and I assume it is part of google chat. Does anyone know for sure? Thanks
posted by JayRwv to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

The Gmail "Help" section says that you cannot block senders. You can set up filters to filter out their messages from their inbox, but you can't at this time block senders.
posted by occhiblu at 6:52 PM on November 9, 2006

occhiblu is right. "block" blocks instant messsges, not emails.
posted by drjimmy11 at 7:02 PM on November 9, 2006

What if you mark it as spam?
posted by smackfu at 7:05 PM on November 9, 2006

courtesy of gmail help:

Can I block emails from certain senders?
While you can't currently block messages from specific addresses or domains, you can set up a filter to send those unwanted messages directly to Trash.

To set up a filter, follow these steps:

1. Click Create a filter under the search box at the top of any Gmail page.
2. Fill in the appropriate fields with the filter's criteria, and click Next Step.
3. Choose the action you'd like for these messages by checking the appropriate box. (In this case, we suggest checking Delete it.)
4. Click Create Filter.

To edit or disable a filter, click Settings.
posted by pinksoftsoap at 7:06 PM on November 9, 2006

Response by poster: I never found that in the help menu. But I do think you have cleared it up for me. It is instant messages that you can block not email senders. Thanks so much for helping me. I do appreciate it.
posted by JayRwv at 7:08 PM on November 9, 2006

Response by poster: I do understand and use the filter option. I was wanting to prevent any email from a specific sender from even showing up. Thanks again
posted by JayRwv at 7:09 PM on November 9, 2006

Yeah, I agree it's frustrating! (I just happened to have looked this up for a friend the other day -- it certainly seems to be something users want.)
posted by occhiblu at 7:45 PM on November 9, 2006

In the filters, one of the options is 'Delete it', so the email would come in and disappear without ever appearing in your inbox. That'd do the trick, wouldn't it?
posted by slightlybewildered at 11:28 PM on November 9, 2006

This filter worked for me when I was receiving a lot of unwanted email from a particular sender. I never saw the emails and couldn't have been happier with the way it turned out.
posted by LunaticFringe at 6:09 AM on November 10, 2006