Stop ads from cluttering your inbox with these simple tips

If something is free, you’re the product being sold. That’s especially true when it comes to free software apps we use. Take Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, for example. It collects your activity and builds a detailed profile, making it easier to place you into specific groups so brands can target you with ads. Google does the same thing through its platforms, including Gmail. You’ve probably noticed your Promotions folder constantly buzzing with brands trying to sell you something, and it can get annoying very quickly. Douglas from Franklin Square, New York, recently wrote to me with the same concern.

When using the Gmail app, I get all these unsolicited advertisements. There’s no way of unsubscribing from them…When I use the Mail app on my iPhone, the same ads don’t appear. Curious how to deal with this. Thank you so much for protecting all of us.

Douglas, you are not alone in noticing this. Gmail’s mobile app has its own way of handling email, which can make ads feel more intrusive compared to other mail clients.

Free email providers like Gmail, as well as Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL, all have their own ways of showing ads and sponsored messages inside your inbox. In this guide, we’ll break down why these ads show up and give you step-by-step tips to cut them down or remove them in Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL.

Why Gmail shows ads in the app

When you open the Gmail app, you may notice messages from big brands or universities that are marked as “Sponsored.” These are not random spam messages sneaking into your inbox. They are ads placed by Google itself. Gmail is a free service, and like many free apps, it makes money through advertising.

The Gmail app is designed to blend these ads into your inbox so they look like regular emails, but they usually sit in the Promotions or Updates tabs. Each one is labeled “Ad” or “Sponsored,” but at first glance, they can look almost identical to normal emails. This is different from junk mail because these ads come from verified companies that Google has approved to advertise.

If you use Apple’s Mail app or another third-party mail client, you will not see these ads at all. That is because those apps only pull in the actual emails you receive through IMAP. They don’t include Google’s advertising layer, which is built into the Gmail app and Gmail’s web interface.

How to cut down on Gmail ads

If you are like many Gmail users, ads in your inbox can feel intrusive and distracting. They appear in the Promotions tab or even occasionally in your main inbox, blending in with legitimate emails from companies you know. While these ads help keep Gmail free, you do not have to passively accept them. With a few adjustments, you can take control over how often they appear and make your inbox feel cleaner. The following steps will help you manage, reduce, and filter these sponsored messages effectively.

Step 1: Adjust inbox tabs

The first step is to review how Gmail categorizes your emails. By default, Gmail separates messages into tabs such as Primary, Social, and Promotions. Most sponsored emails appear under Promotions. You can choose to disable this tab entirely, which prevents Gmail from highlighting these ads. Once disabled, all emails, including marketing messages, will flow into your main inbox, but the number of visible sponsored emails will decrease. Here’s how to adjust Inbox Tabs:

• Open Gmail in a web browser on your computer.
• Click the gear icon (Settings) in the upper right corner.
• Select “See all settings” from the dropdown menu.
• Go to the “Inbox” tab at the top of the Settings page.
• Ensure the “Inbox type” is set to “Default.”
• In the “Categories” section below, check or uncheck the boxes next to tabs you want to enable or disable, such as Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates, and Forums.
• To reduce sponsored emails, you may choose to uncheck the “Promotions” tab, which moves promotional emails into your Primary inbox.
• Scroll down and click “Save Changes” to apply.

Note: Disabling a tab merges those emails into the Primary inbox but may lower visibility for those categories. The Primary tab cannot be disabled.

Step 2: Turn off ad personalization

Google uses your activity across its platforms to determine which ads to show. By visiting your Google Account and turning off ad personalization, you reduce how targeted these ads are. This means Gmail will still show sponsored emails, but they will feel less relevant and less intrusive, giving you more control over your inbox experience. Here’s how to turn off Ad Personalization

• Open a web browser and sign in to your Google Account. 
• On the left sidebar, click “Data & Privacy.”
• Scroll down until you reach the “Ad personalization” section.
• Click “My Ad Center” in this section.
• On the My Ad Center page, look for the “Personalized Ads” card.
• Use the toggle switch to set “Personalized Ads” to OFF.
• Confirm your choice if prompted.

Personalized ads will be disabled across Google platforms, including Gmail. You’ll still see ads, but they will be less targeted to your interests.

Step 3: Use the “Stop Seeing This Ad” option

Each sponsored email comes with a small menu, typically accessed by tapping the three dots next to the message. Choosing options like “Why this ad?” or “Stop seeing this ad” sends feedback to Google. Over time, this process helps Gmail show fewer irrelevant ads and tailor the Promotions tab to better match your preferences.

Step 4: Use a different mail client

Another way to minimize Gmail ads is by using a mail client such as Apple Mail or Outlook. These apps fetch your actual emails through IMAP but do not display Gmail’s advertising layer. Your inbox appears cleaner, though some Gmail-specific features like labels and advanced search may not work in the same way.

Step 5: Create an alias email address

Another practical step is to use alias email addresses when signing up for newsletters, services, or shopping sites. An alias email address is an additional email address that can be used to receive emails in the same mailbox as the primary email address. It acts as a forwarding address, directing emails to the primary email address.

In addition to creating throwaway email accounts for online sign-ups and other circumstances where you would not want to disclose your primary email address, alias email addresses are helpful for handling and organizing incoming communications.

Sometimes, it’s best to create various email aliases so that you don’t have to worry about getting tons of spam mail and having your email eventually stolen in a data breach. An alias email address is a great way for you to stop receiving constant spam mail by simply deleting the email alias address.

Step 6: Review subscriptions and marketing emails

Some promotional emails that appear in Gmail are from newsletters or services you signed up for. These are legitimate marketing emails, not Google’s ads. Taking the time to unsubscribe from emails you no longer want or adjusting marketing preferences in your accounts can further reduce clutter and keep your inbox focused on the messages you actually care about.

Step 7: Consider a data removal service

If you are serious about reducing how much personal data advertisers have on you, a data removal service could be worth exploring. These services scan and request the deletion of your information from data broker websites, which are often the source of targeted marketing lists. While this will not directly stop Gmail from showing ads, it can reduce how much you are profiled online and lower the number of personalized promotions you see across different platforms.

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How Outlook handles ads and clutter

Microsoft Outlook doesn’t insert ads into your inbox in the same way Gmail does, but if you use the free Outlook.com service, you may still notice banner ads in the web interface or app. These don’t appear as “emails,” but they can clutter the screen. Outlook also uses a “Focused” and “Other” inbox system, which sometimes pushes marketing emails into the “Other” tab.

Step 1: Adjust Focused Inbox

You can turn off Focused Inbox so all emails arrive in a single view.

• Open Outlook.com or the Outlook app.
• Go to Settings (gear icon).
• Toggle off Focused Inbox.

Step 2: Unsubscribe and block

Marketing emails that slip through can be unsubscribed using the built-in Unsubscribe option at the top of the email, or you can create custom rules to block repeat senders.

Step 3: Consider Outlook Premium

Paid Outlook accounts (through Microsoft 365) remove banner ads entirely. If ads distract you, upgrading is one option.

How Yahoo Mail displays ads

Yahoo Mail is known for mixing banner ads with inbox content and even showing “sponsored” emails that resemble regular messages.

Step 1: Identify sponsored emails

Sponsored emails in Yahoo usually appear at the very top of your inbox. They are labeled, but can still be confusing.

Step 2: Hide ads with settings

You can’t fully disable ads in free Yahoo Mail, but you can collapse ad panels in the desktop interface for a cleaner look.

Step 3: Use filters

Yahoo’s filter tool lets you automatically move unwanted marketing emails to folders or Trash. Go to Settings > More Settings > Filters to set up rules.

Step 4: Upgrade to Yahoo Plus

Yahoo Plus Mail removes most ads and gives you added security features.

How AOL Mail treats ads

AOL Mail is similar to Yahoo (since both are owned by the same parent company, Yahoo Inc.). It shows banner ads alongside your inbox and occasionally places sponsored content in your message list.

Step 1: Recognize AOL ads

Banner ads appear on the right side of the screen or in between message lists. They don’t count as emails, but they compete for your attention.

Step 2: Use ad-free AOL Mail

Subscribing to AOL Mail Plus removes ads and adds support perks, such as enhanced spam protection.

Step 3: Tighten spam controls

Check AOL’s spam settings under Options > Mail Settings > Spam Settings. Mark suspicious or repetitive marketing messages as spam to train the filter.

Related Links:

• How to hand off data privacy for older adults to a trusted loved one
• The Data Broker opt-out steps every retiree should take today
• Stop data brokers from selling your information online

Kurt’s key takeaway

You don’t have to accept ads crowding your inbox. With a few tweaks, you can cut them down and regain control. Whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or AOL, you can adjust settings, turn off personalization, and unsubscribe from unwanted messages to keep things tidy. Try using “Stop seeing this ad,” prune old subscriptions, and experiment with different mail apps if you prefer a cleaner view. For broader privacy, consider aliases and a data-removal service. Small steps across all your email accounts add up to a calmer, cleaner inbox.

What single change helped you reduce inbox clutter the most, and why? Let us know in the comments below.

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