Reader question: Is it safe to hit the ‘unsubscribe’ button on spam?

October 01, 2023 at 16:20 PM EDT

Tired of a clogged inbox with unwanted emails from companies you don't recall signing up for? Unsubscribing: what's the catch.

I received email from a reader asking if hitting the "unsubscribe" button in her inbox is smart. Like many things in tech, it depends. In some cases, reacting to spammers might make your email a hot commodity, leading to more unwanted emails or even a spot on a "for sale" list.

Here’s the lowdown on how to stop getting emails you don’t want — without opening yourself up to more junk.

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It could go one of two ways

With reputable companies, clicking unsubscribe should do the trick. If you’re receiving newsletters or promotional emails from brands you know, they generally follow email marketing regulations.

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For unsolicited spam from unknown senders? Clicking unsubscribe may indeed make things worse. You inadvertently confirm that your email address is active … possibly leading to even more spam.

‘How do I know what to pick, Kim?’

Stick to familiar ground: If the email is from a trusted source (think brands you’ve shopped with or newsletters you’ve signed up for), go ahead and hit that unsubscribe button.

Dodge the unknown: If it’s a random email about a long-lost prince or a miracle cure, steer clear of the unsubscribe link. Mark the email as spam in your email client.

For Outlook:

For Apple Mail:

For Gmail:

Use spam filters

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For Outlook on Windows 10:

For Gmail:

To set up a filter using a spam email that you’ve received:

Consider third-party tools

Sometimes, you need to bring in the big guns, especially if it’s an inbox you’ve had for years and years … and have shared with everyone under the sun.

Balancing caution and convenience are the key to banishing email clutter. You’re already on your way to a cleaner inbox!

Keep your tech-know going

My popular podcast is called "Kim Komando Today." It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.

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Check out my podcast "Kim Komando Today" on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

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