What is a safe senders list?
Approximately347 billion emailswere exchanged globally each day in 2023. Google leverages advanced AI-based automation filters toblock over 99.9%of spam emails, phishing attempts, and malware, ensuring they never reach your inbox. This is done by looking at various characteristics like the sender’s IP address, the email domain, and user feedback. However, Gmail’s spam filter isn’t perfect, and it can flag relevant emails as spam.
The safe senders list comprises email addresses from which you wish to receive email messages without interruption. Update and add trusted contacts to your safe sender list within your email program based on your preferences. This ensures relevant emails pass the spam filter and land in your inbox as they should.
Another method is to add the email address to Google Contacts. This tells Google you are interested in receiving emails from that sender.
How to keep your safe sender list effective
Let’s start with best practices for managing safe sender lists before we get into specific instructions. Make it a habit to periodically revisit and refine your list to keep it relevant as your email usage evolves.
Be selective about the addresses you add. Only those from trusted and recognized sources should be considered. And remember, less is often more. Keep your email list lean so that you don’t invite junk email by mistake.
How to create a filter for safe senders on the desktop
Create a filter to ensure that emails from a specific address don’t make it to spam. Here’s how to do it:
1.On your desktop, log in to your Gmail account.
2.Click thegear iconin the upper-right corner.
3.SelectSee all settings.
4.Click theFilters and Blocked Addressestab at the top.
5.ClickCreate a new filter.
6.Enter the email address of the person you want to add to your safe senders list.
7.Type the domain name in theFromfield to allow all emails from a specific domain. For example, type *@outlook.comto receive all emails from that domain.
8.ClickCreate Filterbutton.
9.Select the action to be applied to filtered emails. ClickNever send it to spam.
10.ClickCreate filter.
11.Edit or delete the filter later in theFilters and blocked addressestab underSettings.
How do I log into my Gmail account?
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How to add an email address to Google Contacts
A quick method to ensure Gmail doesn’t mistakenly flag emails from trusted contacts as spam is to add their email addresses to Google Contacts. You can do this through the desktop interface or the Gmail mobile app. Here’s how to do it.
How to add Google contacts online using the Gmail website
To add an email address to your contacts on the desktop, follow these simple steps:
2.Click thedot grid menuin the upper-right corner and selectContacts.
3.ClickCreate contactin the upper-left corner.
4.Enter the email address of the contact you want to add.
5.ClickSave.
How to add Google contacts via the Gmail mobile app
Google’s mobile app on iPhone and Android lets you add contacts to your account. Here’s what you’ll do:
1.Download the Gmail app, which is available for Android andiOS.
2.Open the Gmail app on your device and sign in with your Google account.
3.Tap yourprofile iconin the upper right corner, then tapManage your Google Account.
4.Go toPeople and sharingand selectContacts.This redirects you to the Google contacts list.
5.Tap theplus icon, then selectCreate a contactto add new contacts you trust and wish to receive emails from without interruption.
6.Enter your contact’s email address and tapSave.
How to access and edit your Google contacts
To expand or edit the information you have for a contact in Gmail, follow these steps:
1.Visit theGoogle Contacts website.
2.Use the search field to enter the name or email address of the contact you wish to edit. This helps you quickly find the specific contact.
3.When you find the contact, their detailed information appears. To start editing, click thepencil icon.
4.Make the necessary adjustments or additions to the contact’s information.
5. To finalize your changes, click theSavebutton.
How to remove duplicates from Google Contacts
Organize your contacts in seconds
How to mark an email as ‘not spam’ in Gmail
If you find an important email in the spam folder, mark it as “not spam.” Gmail removes the message from your junk folder and moves it to your inbox. Follow the steps below to access this option from the desktop and the mobile app.
How to mark an email as ‘not spam’ on the desktop
1.Log in to Gmail from your desktop.
2.SelectMore.
3.ClickSpam.
4.Open the desired email and clickReport not spam.
How to mark an email as ‘not spam’ on the Gmail app
To ensure that important emails aren’t mistakenly filtered into the spam folder, mark an email as “not spam” in the Gmail app. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1.Log in toGmailfrom your phone.
2.Tap thehamburger menuin the upper-left corner.
3.SelectSpam.
4.Open the desired email and tapReport not spam.
Efficiently manage your Gmail account
You should proactively add trusted contacts to Gmail’s safe senders list so that important emails don’t get stuck in the spam folder. Or you might have to rummage through your spam folder to retrieve it. However, it’s easy to find that specific email with the help ofGmail’s advanced search filters.
