Spam filtering, Not spam List, and Block List
Proton Mail uses a smart spam detection system to automatically filter messages to your Spam folder or inbox and custom folders(new window). We are constantly improving our spam filtering system, but some spam messages may slip through our filters, and some legitimate messages may be mislabeled as spam.
You can enhance and customize our filtering system using the Not spam list and Block list. In this article, we explain how.
The amount of spam you receive often depends on where you use your email address. For example, if you subscribe to certain websites or services, your email address may be abused. However, you can sometimes be targeted at random.
Please see how to avoid receiving spam(new window) for tips on how to avoid receiving spam messages, and our dedicated article on how to block email stalkers(new window) if you are a victim of this form of abuse.
Spam and block list
To view all custom existing spam filters and add new ones, sign in to your account at mail.proton.me(new window) and click Settings → Go to settings → Proton Mail → Filters → Spam and block list.
The Spam and block list is categorized into three tabs: Spam, Not spam, and Blocked:
- Spam list: Addresses added to your Spam list will arrive in your Spam folder.
- Not spam list: If you want to allow emails from certain addresses, mark them as “not spam”.
- Blocked list: Addresses in the Blocked list will never be delivered to your inbox.
Spam list
The Spam list lets you specify individual email addresses and domains that will always be delivered to your Spam folder.
To add an address to your Spam list:
1. Sign in to Proton Mail at mail.proton.me.(new window)
2. Select Settings → Go to settings → Proton Mail → Filters → Spam and block list.
3. Under Add address, select Spam.
4. Choose either Email or Domain as the Address type, enter the address or domain, and click Save.
Not spam list
The Not spam list lets you specify individual email addresses and domains that will always be delivered to your inbox or custom folders. Messages from email addresses or domains in the Not spam List will never be sent to your Spam folder.
To add an email address or domain to your Not spam list:
1. Sign in to Proton Mail at mail.proton.me.(new window)
2. Select Settings → Go to settings → Proton Mail → Filters → Spam and block list.
3. Under Add address, select Not spam.
4. Choose either Email or Domain as the Address type, enter the address or domain, and click Save.
Block List
The Block List lets you specify individual email addresses that will never be delivered to your inbox or custom folders. Messages from email addresses in the Block List will never reach your inbox.
To add an email address to your Block List:
1. Sign in to Proton Mail at mail.proton.me.(new window)
2. Select Settings → Go to settings → Proton Mail → Filters → Spam and block list.
3. Under Add address, select Block.
4. Enter the email address you’d like to block and click Save.
Custom filters
In addition to Not spam List and Block List spam filtering, Proton Mail also provides a custom filters feature that can be used for advanced spam filtering.