How to Use Filters in Gmail

Guide Note: Filters can help you better organize your incoming messages based on pre-determined search criteria. This page gives you instructions on How to Use Filters in Gmail.

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What Is A Filter?

• A filter is a tool that allows you to automatically organize incoming emails. Gmail does this by letting you specify that emails which contain specific words, phrases, senders or recipients should be automatically dealt with in a specific way. For example, you could specify that any incoming messages that come from your Mom's email address should be automatically labeled "Family", and then also forwarded to the email addresses of your three siblings. If you use your email address for different things (Work, Friends, Family, Shopping), filters can be a great way to keep track of the different types of emails you receive.

How to Create a Filter

• 1. Click on the button that says Create a Filter (Located to the right of the Gmail search box).
  2. In the fields provided, enter in which criteria you want Gmail to recognize in incoming messages.
  3. Hit the Test Search button to see messages that are already in your inbox that fall under those criteria.
  4. When you are satisfied, hit the button that says Next Step.
  5. Choose which actions you want Gmail to take when it finds an email that matches the criteria.
  6. If you want the actions to be applied to the messages that are already in your account, check the box next to Also apply filter to conversations below.
  7. Hit the Create Filter button.

How to Edit or Delete a Filter

• 1. Click on the Settings button in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
  2. Choose Filters from the list of headings.
  3. To edit a filter, click on the edit button and enter the new criteria that you want Gmail to recognize. Hit Next Step and choose any new actions you want. Hit Update Filter when you're done.
  4. To delete a filter, simply click the delete button.