A quieter inbox. Without losing the good stuff.

First, choose the right action

Gmail: tidy subscriptions first

On the desktop version of Gmail, look under More for Manage subscriptions if available. Review senders and unsubscribe from the ones you no longer want. You can also use the unsubscribe control next to a genuine sender’s name. Changes may take a few days to work through.

1. Create a label called Read later

   Use this for messages you still want, but do not need to see immediately.

2. Filter selected newsletter senders

   Open search options, enter a known newsletter address in From, then Create filter.

3. Choose a reversible action

   Apply the Read later label and, if you want, Skip the Inbox (Archive it). Do not select Delete it or Never send it to Spam.

4. Check what moved

   Review the label regularly, particularly during the first week. Edit filters in Settings, See all settings, Filters and Blocked Addresses.

Outlook: create a Read later folder

In new Outlook or Outlook on the web, right-click a genuine newsletter, choose Rules then Create rule, and select your Read later folder. For more conditions, use Settings, Mail, Rules. In classic Outlook, use Rules then Create Rule or Manage Rules & Alerts. Set rules at the email provider if your account type is not supported in Outlook.

Start with named newsletter senders. Review the folder before expanding the rule. You can disable or edit it in the same Rules settings.

Keep tomorrow’s inbox cleaner

Use an alias or separate address for optional sign-ups. Protect your main email with a unique password and two-step verification. If the inbox suddenly floods with sign-up emails, look carefully for genuine account or purchase alerts rather than blindly deleting everything.

Related guides

• When they keep contacting you anyway. Who to complain to about marketing that carries on after you have said no, what to have ready and what happens afterwards.
• Ask where they got your details. How to ask an organisation what it holds about you and where it came from, how long it has to answer and what to do with the reply.