Gmail: How to Automatically Move Emails to a Folder - Auto Filter & Sort Email to Folder

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of automatically moving emails to specific folders in Gmail using filters and labels. This feature helps you organize your inbox by sorting emails from specific senders or groups into designated folders, allowing for a more streamlined email management experience.

Step 1: Create a Label

1. Open Gmail and log into your account.
2. On the left sidebar, scroll down and click on "More."
3. Select "Create new label."
4. Name your label (e.g., "Work Emails," "Family," etc.).
5. Click "Create" to finalize the label.

Step 2: Access Filter Settings

1. In Gmail, click on the gear icon (Settings) in the upper right corner.
2. Select "See all settings."
3. Navigate to the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab.
4. Click on "Create a new filter."

Step 3: Set Up Your Filter Criteria

1. In the filter creation box, specify the criteria for the emails you want to filter. You can filter by:
   • From: Email address or domain (e.g., user@example.com)
   • To: Specific recipient
   • Subject: Keywords in the subject line
   • Has the words: Any text present in the email body
   • Doesn't have: Exclude emails containing certain words
2. After setting your criteria, click on "Create filter."

Step 4: Choose Filter Actions

1. In the next window, you will see several options for actions to apply to the filtered emails:
   • Check "Skip the Inbox (Archive it)" if you want the emails to go straight to the label folder.
   • Check "Apply the label" and choose the label you created earlier.
   • You can also select other actions such as marking as read, starring, or forwarding.
2. Once you have selected your desired actions, click on "Create filter."

Step 5: Manage Existing Filters

1. If you need to edit or delete a filter, go back to the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab in Settings.
2. Find the filter you want to modify and click on "Edit" or "Delete" next to it.
3. Follow the prompts to make your changes or confirm the deletion.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can effectively organize your Gmail inbox by automatically sorting emails into designated folders using labels and filters. This not only declutters your inbox but also saves time by allowing you to focus on important messages. For further customization, consider experimenting with different filter criteria and actions to tailor your email management to your needs. Happy organizing!