Step-By-Step Guide on How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

By
Inbox Zapper
September 5, 2024
12
 read

Gmail is an excellent tool for managing and organizing emails, but it can sometimes get out of control. You might find yourself with thousands of emails, even after deleting messages you thought were lost forever. While this can happen to anyone, it can feel embarrassing when the clutter includes old emails from your boss or co-workers. If you are tired of scrolling through page after page of emails to reach the ones you use, you might wonder how to delete large amounts of emails in Gmail. This tutorial will show you how to quickly and efficiently perform gmail cleanup.

If you want a fast way to clear your Gmail inbox, Inbox Zapper’s Gmail cleanup tool can help. This easy-to-use tool helps you delete, archive, or organize large amounts of emails in Gmail without the hassle so you can focus on the emails that matter.

Why Do Your Emails Keep Piling Up

man using a laptop -  How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

We've all been there. Your unopened email count is skyrocketing into three, four, or even five digits. You dread opening your inbox because it will take hours to sort through and delete all those emails. But fear not, and there is a solution – mass deleting emails on Gmail.

Why Your Emails Keep Piling Up

First things first – we need to address the root cause of why your inbox is always overflowing with emails. Mass deleting emails is excellent, but it's good email management to prevent your inbox from becoming cluttered in the first place. There could be a few reasons for this:

Lack of Email Organization

They will likely pile up if you don't have an effective system for organizing and sorting your emails. This can also lead to essential emails getting lost in the clutter.

Subscribing to Too Many Newsletters

We've all been tempted to subscribe to that one newsletter for a discount or freebie, but over time, these can add to your inbox's ever-growing pile of emails.

Not Regularly Deleting Unnecessary Emails

It's easy to let unread and unimportant emails sit in your inbox, especially if you need more time to go through and delete them. But this can quickly lead to an overwhelming number of emails.

Related Reading

Why Delete Your Emails in Gmail?

woman using a laptop -  How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

If you’re like most people, you may archive your emails or let them accumulate in your inbox indefinitely. But there are three good reasons to consign your read emails to the trash:  

  • You’re running out of storage and need to free up space to avoid buying a paid account.  
  • You want to secure emails containing sensitive information by removing them from existence. It may sound drastic, but it could make sense if you’re sure you’ll never need them again. 
  • A deleted email can’t be stolen during a hack or data breach. It’s the modern equivalent of burning after reading. In a work context, you may need to delete emails to comply with your company’s data retention policy.  
  • You’re emptying your inbox to protect your privacy before deleting your Gmail account. If you leave messages in Gmail, Google will continue to access your data. 

Why Bulk Deletion in Gmail Rules  

  • Time-saving: Manually deleting emails can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with a high volume of messages. Gmail bulk deletion saves you valuable time by allowing you to delete multiple emails with just a few clicks.  
  • Efficiency: Deleting multiple emails simultaneously can efficiently declutter your inbox and improve your email organization. This can enhance productivity and make it easier to find essential emails amidst the clutter. 
  • Space management: Deleting unnecessary emails in bulk helps free up storage space in your Gmail account. This is particularly important if you have limited storage capacity or want to optimize your account's performance.  
  • Enhanced email management: Gmail bulk deletion provides a systematic approach to managing your emails. You can easily delete outdated promotional emails, spam, or other unwanted messages that accumulate over time, ensuring your inbox remains organized and relevant.  
  • Improved workflow: Gmail bulk deletion streamlines your email management workflow. By efficiently removing unnecessary emails, you can focus on essential conversations and prioritize your inbox effectively.  
  • Reduced clutter: A clutter-free inbox reduces visual distractions and improves email management. Gmail bulk deletion enables you to remove unwanted emails swiftly and organizedly, helping you maintain a clean and tidy inbox.  


Transform Your Gmail Inbox with Inbox Zapper: The Ultimate Cleanup Tool

Inbox Zapper is a Gmail cleanup tool designed for efficiency. It allows you to unsubscribe from emails and newsletters and mass delete emails with one click. Inbox Zapper scans your inbox for email lists and unwanted emails. None of your email data ever leaves your device, preserving complete privacy. 

Inbox Zapper was designed with privacy in mind from day one. Other tools resell your data; we just help you clean your inbox. Join 15,687 people who have used Inbox Zapper to clean 28,384,924 emails. Inbox Zapper only supports Gmail, but we will also expand to other email services. Inbox Zapper is the easiest way to clean your Gmail inbox. 

Try Inbox Zapper's Gmail cleanup tool for free today to clean up your Gmail inbox with one click.

Step-By-Step Guide on How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

woman using a laptop -  How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

1. Prepare for a Gmail Clean-Up 

Before initiating the bulk deletion of emails in Gmail, you must make the necessary preparations to ensure a smooth and successful process. This section will guide you through the essential steps.

Identify Emails for Deletion 

The first step in preparing for Gmail bulk deletion is identifying which emails should be deleted. Sorting through your entire inbox can be daunting, so it's helpful to establish criteria for selecting emails for deletion. Consider the following factors: 

  • Age of emails: Determine a timeframe for deleting emails, such as deleting all emails older than a specific date or those that haven't been accessed in a certain period. 
  • Email categories: Identify specific categories of emails that you want to delete, such as promotional emails, newsletters, or social media notifications. 
  • Keywords and search filters: Use keywords and search filters to identify emails that contain specific terms or come from certain senders. This can help you target less relevant or no longer needed emails.

Back-Up Important Emails 

Before proceeding with bulk deletion, backing up important emails to prevent accidental data loss is crucial. Consider the following backup options: 

  • Exporting emails: Use Gmail's export feature to create a backup of important emails. You can export emails in various formats, such as MBOX or PST, which can be imported back into Gmail if needed. 
  • Archiving emails: Instead of deleting important emails, consider archiving them. Archiving moves emails out of your inbox but keeps them accessible for future reference. 
  • Using third-party backup tools: Explore third-party backup tools that offer additional features and flexibility for backing up your Gmail account. These tools often provide options for selective backups and secure storage. 

Set Up Filters for a Faster Gmail Clean-Up 

Setting up filters in Gmail is helpful to streamline the bulk deletion process. Filters allow you to categorize and manage incoming emails based on specific criteria automatically. Here’s how to set up filters: 

  • Accessing Gmail settings: Open Gmail, click the gear icon at the top-right corner, and select Settings from the dropdown menu. 
  • Navigating to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab: Open the Settings menu and select the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. 
  • Creating a new filter: Click the “Create a new filter” option to set up your filter. 
  • Defining filter criteria: Specify the criteria for the filter, such as sender, subject, keywords, or other relevant parameters. 
  • Choosing the action: Select the action you want the filter to perform, such as deleting the emails matching the criteria. 
  •  Applying the filter: Click on the “Create filter” button to apply the filter to your incoming emails.

By setting up filters, you can automate the categorization and deletion of specific types of emails, making the bulk deletion process more efficient.

How to Delete All Emails In Gmail 

Need help with an overflowing Gmail inbox? It’s time to declutter, save on storage space, and 

regain control. Here’s a straightforward guide to getting to inbox zero:

  • Log into your Gmail account: Start by accessing your Gmail account on a web browser. This gives you full functionality for managing your emails. 
  • Select emails: In your inbox, locate the checkbox at the top left, just below the search box. Clicking this will select all emails on the current page. 
  • Expand selection: Look for the blue text link near your inbox. Select all X conversations in Primary. Clicking this will extend your selection to all emails in your inbox. 
  • Delete or archive emails: Click the trash can icon to delete. Use the archive button (a folder with a downward arrow) to hide emails instead of deleting them.
  • Confirmation: All selected emails will move to the bin after clicking delete. 

Now that you know how to clear your entire inbox, let’s see how you can mass delete specific types of emails in Gmail for a more targeted cleanup.

How To Mass Delete Specific Emails In Gmail 

Knowing how to mass delete specific email types in Gmail can be a huge time saver, whether from a specific date or a particular sender. 

Delete All Unread Emails In Gmail

Unread emails can quickly pile up, create clutter, and make it challenging to spot essential messages. Here’s how to swiftly restore order to your inbox: 

  • Search for unread emails: In the Gmail search bar, type ‘is:unread’ and hit Enter. This will display all unread emails in your inbox. 
  • Select and delete: Select all the unread or unwanted emails and click the trash icon to delete them. 

Delete Emails In Gmail From A Specific Date 

Deleting bulk emails from a specific period can help you update your Gmail inbox. Whether it’s clearing out last year’s newsletters or making room for fresh correspondence, here’s how to go about it: 

  • Search by date: Open your Gmail and click on the search bar at the top.
    To target emails from a specific date, type in ‘before:YYYY/MM/DD’ for emails sent before a specific date or ‘after:YYYY/MM/DD’ for emails sent after. 

Note: Replace ‘YYYY/MM/DD’ with the desired date. 

  • Mass delete: Once your search results are up, click the checkbox at the top left of the inbox to select all mail for the date range. With all relevant chosen emails, click the delete icon to move them to the trash.

Note: Gmail automatically deletes emails in the trash after 30 days, but you can manually empty the trash now. 

Delete All Emails From One Sender 

Overwhelmed with emails from a newsletter you’ve outgrown or a vendor you no longer use? This is how you can swiftly remove these emails and regain control over your email inbox: 

  • Search for emails by the sender: To filter emails from a specific sender or newsletter after you unsubscribe, type from:sender’s_email_address. 

Note: Make sure to replace ‘sender’s_email_address’ with the actual email address of the sender whose emails you want to delete. 

  • Select the emails: Once the emails from the sender appear, click the checkbox at the top left corner to select all the emails displayed on the current page. If more emails from this sender aren’t displayed on the first page, click the link to select all conversations from this sender. 
  • Mass delete: Now, with all emails from the sender selected, click on the delete icon. This will move all selected emails to the trash folder.

Delete All Emails From One Gmail Category 

Gmail helps organize your inbox by automatically sorting emails into Social, Promotions, Updates, and Forums categories. If one of these categories needs to be more precise, you can clean it up in just a few clicks. Here’s how to remove the emails you no longer need without affecting the rest of your inbox: 

  • Navigate to the category: Open your Gmail and look for the categories listed on the left-hand sidebar. Click on the category you wish to clean, such as the Social, Updates, Forums, or Promotions tab. 
  • Select and mass delete: Use the checkbox at the top left to select all emails on the current page once in the category. If there are more emails than those displayed, click on the option to select all conversations in the category. Then, click the trash can icon to delete them. 

Delete All Emails From One Label 

Gmail labels are a powerful tool for organizing your emails more effectively. If you’ve assigned labels to your emails for better sorting and now want to clear out an entire label, it’s just a few steps away: 

  • Select the label: In your Gmail, click on the label you wish to clear from the list on the left-hand sidebar. This will display all emails tagged with that specific label. 
  • Mass delete: Click the checkbox at the top left corner to select all emails within this label displayed on the page. You can also use the Advanced Search to select emails by specific words, attachments, subject lines, etc, to filter the emails further. 

Delete All Read Emails 

If your inbox is filled with old emails that you’ve already read and no longer need, clearing them out can help you focus on more important emails. Here’s how to quickly remove all read emails from your Gmail: 

  • Select read emails: In the search bar of your Gmail, type ‘is:read’ and press Enter. This will filter out all the emails that you haven’t opened. 
  • Mass delete: Use the checkbox at the top left to select all the displayed read emails. Extend your selection to all read emails in the inbox, and then press the delete icon to move to the trash. 

How to Delete All Emails In the Gmail App 

With the Gmail mobile app, you can keep your inbox in check even when you’re on the move. While the app doesn’t offer a ‘delete all’ option like the desktop version, you can use a bit of manual work to do so. Let’s see how and what tricks you can use to clean your inbox.

How to Mass Delete Gmail Emails on Android 

As an Android user, keeping your Gmail app’s inbox uncluttered is key to staying on top of your emails. To do that, tap and hold an email to enter selection mode, then choose the emails you want to delete. Once selected, tap the delete/trash icon. 

You can also click on the Select All option on the top left. This will let you select the first 50 emails in your inbox. If you scroll past them and hit the Select All button again, the app will allow you to choose an additional 50, making it 100! If you repeat the process, you can delete the desired number of emails you want. It’ll take some work, but it’s much faster than the tap-and-hold method. Now, if you clean your inbox using the above tactic, you can use swipe actions to keep it clutter-free: 

  • Customize swipe actions: Open your Gmail app and tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top left corner. Go to Settings and select General Settings. Tap on Swipe actions. You can set the swipe direction (right or left) to Delete for quick email removal. 
  • Swipe to delete: Return to your inbox. Now, you can swipe in the direction you set to delete emails quickly. This won’t delete all emails simultaneously but will speed up the process significantly. 

How to Mass Delete Emails in Gmail on iPhone 

Compared to Android, the Gmail app for iPhone doesn’t support the tap-and-hold feature to select multiple emails. You can tap on the profile picture or sender’s avatar next to each email. Once you’ve selected the emails you want, you can finally delete them by pressing on the Trash icon. In the Gmail app, you can employ swipe actions to make email deletion quicker and more efficient. Here’s how it works: 

  • Set up swipe actions: Open the Gmail app on your iPhone and tap the menu icon. Scroll to Settings, click Inbox customizations, and select Mail swipe actions. 
  • Gmail for iPhone has swipe actions: Choose Right or Left swipe. Set it to ‘Trash’ for quick deletion. 
  • Swipe and delete: With your swipe action set, you can now easily swipe on emails in your inbox to quickly send them to the trash. 

How to Delete Emails in Gmail Forever 

Emails in the trash are automatically deleted after 30 days. If you want to dispose of your emails sooner to save storage space on your account, delete them forever. To empty the Trash folder and instantly delete all emails, do the following: 

  • Open the Gmail web browser app. 
  • Click Trash on the left side. Tap More and scroll down if you don't see it. 
  • Check the checkbox near the top of the page. If a message says you only selected the messages on this page, click the text that says Select all conversations in Trash. 
  • Click the Delete Forever button.

Every email in your Trash folder has been removed for good from your inbox. There isn't a way to recover them. That's how to empty your Trash folder if you want to do this before 30 days for Gmail to do this automatically. 

How to Mass Delete Emails in the Gmail App 

The Gmail mobile app is less robust than the web app, which makes mass deleting emails more difficult. You can still delete emails, but this method is only advisable if you only need to remove a few at a time. It's the same process on Android and iOS. We used an Android phone to show how it works: 

  • Open the Gmail mobile app on your smartphone. 
  • Tap the sender image (either a circle with a letter or the sender's photo) on the left to select an email. 
  • Select all the emails you want to delete by checking them off. 
  • Tap the Delete icon, which looks like a trash can in the upper-right corner.

That's the only way to bulk delete emails in the Gmail mobile app. You can also use the Gmail web browser app to clean up your inbox further, with more options available. 

How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail Using a Third-Party Tool

employees using a laptop -  How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

Email cleaner apps include various features and functions that all share a common purpose: keeping your inbox neat, clean, and organized.

These are some of the features you’ll generally find in email cleaners:

  • Automating: Automatically sorting new emails into different folders and categories or deleting messages that meet specific criteria.  
  • Deleting / Archiving: Email cleaner apps usually have a feature to help you delete or archive emails faster or in bulk.  
  • Organizing: A good email cleaning app can help you stay more organized (and do it more conveniently). For more help, see our guide on Gmail organization!  
  • Unsubscribing: Most of us have a handful of email newsletters we like to subscribe to—and dozens that we don’t even remember signing up for. Email cleaner apps usually automate and simplify the unsubscribe process. 

Some email cleaner apps are specialists doing one thing extraordinarily well. Others are more comprehensive, with every tool you can imagine.  

How to Get Started with an Email Cleaner, Using Inbox Zapper as an Example

Install Inbox Zapper Email Cleaner Extension

To start your journey to a clean inbox, install the Inbox Zapper email cleaner extension. Go to the Chrome web store and download the extension. 

Connect Your Gmail Account to Inbox Zapper

Once the extension is installed, navigate to the Gmail account you want to clean. From there, you will see the option to connect to Inbox Zapper. Click the button to link your email to the app. 

Use Inbox Zapper to Clean Your Gmail Inbox

Using the Inbox Zapper sidebar in Gmail, you’ll see a list of your email subscriptions sorted by the number of emails sent. To clean up your inbox, select the unwanted emails in the sidebar and click the Unsubscribe button. 

Inbox Zapper will automatically find and click the unsubscribe links in those emails, saving you much time and effort. You can also optionally delete all emails ever sent by those subscriptions.
Alternatively, you can select unwanted emails natively in Gmail and mass unsubscribe or bulk delete using Inbox Zapper. Here’s how:

  • In Gmail, search for keywords like unsubscribe or promotions to find emails you don’t want anymore.
  • Select all the unwanted emails and click the Super Unsubscribe button. Inbox Zapper will automatically use the unsubscribe links in those emails. 
  • If you click the Super Delete button, Inbox Zapper will delete all emails ever sent by the selected senders.

Transform Your Gmail Inbox with Inbox Zapper: The Ultimate Cleanup Tool

Inbox Zapper is a Gmail cleanup tool designed for efficiency. You can unsubscribe from emails and newsletters and mass delete emails with one click. Inbox Zapper scans your inbox for email lists and unwanted emails. None of your email data ever leaves your device, preserving complete privacy. 

Inbox Zapper was designed with privacy in mind from day one. Other tools resell your data; we just help you clean your inbox. Join 15,687 people who have used Inbox Zapper to clean 28,384,924 emails. Inbox Zapper only supports Gmail, but we will also expand to other email services. Inbox Zapper is the easiest way to clean your Gmail inbox. 

Try Inbox Zapper's Gmail cleanup tool for free today to clean up your Gmail inbox with one click.

10 Best Gmail Cleaner Apps to Use in 2024

womn typing on a laptop -  How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

1. Unclutter Your Inbox with Inbox Zapper 

Inbox Zapper is a Gmail cleanup tool designed for efficiency. It allows you to unsubscribe from emails and newsletters and mass delete emails with one click. Inbox Zapper scans your inbox for email lists and unwanted emails. None of your email data ever leaves your device, preserving complete privacy. 

Inbox Zapper was designed with privacy in mind from day one. Other tools resell your data; we just help you clean your inbox. Join 15,687 people who have used Inbox Zapper to clean 28,384,924 emails. Inbox Zapper only supports Gmail, but we will also expand to other email services. Inbox Zapper is the easiest way to clean your Gmail inbox. 

Try Inbox Zapper's Gmail cleanup tool for free today to clean up your Gmail inbox with one click.

2. Tidy Your Gmail with Clean Email 

Many of the tools in Clean Email go far beyond any built-in Gmail cleanup extension. First and foremost, this Gmail cleanup app provides several features that significantly exceed the basic Gmail spam filter. The Screener tool flags messages from senders you haven’t previously received messages from and separates them from your inbox in a dedicated folder.

You can use the Unsubscriber tool to remove yourself from newsletters, marketing messages, and other mass mailings you don’t want in your inbox. The app also includes pre-set filters (Smart Folders) to identify the essential messages and those you do not quickly. You can also apply actions to all messages in each of these Smart Folders, making it easy to:

  • Delete
  • Move
  • Archive
  • Flag entire groups of messages all at once

3. Bulk Actions Made Simple with Mailstrom 

Mailstrom is another great Gmail cleanup tool that can help you achieve Inbox Zero. It lets you apply actions to large quantities of messages at once. If saving time is your objective while cleaning your inbox, Mailstrom is your best Gmail cleaner

This Gmail cleaning tool works by bundling similar emails based on commonalities so you can take bulk action. This includes:

  • Deleting
  • Archiving
  • Moving
  • And more 

With Mailstrom, you can slice through thousands of messages in seconds. This app lets you unsubscribe from mass mailings and block unwelcome senders.

4. Stay Productive with Shortwave 

Shortwave is a free Gmail cleanup tool designed for productivity. It offers several handy features that make organizing your inbox and staying on task easy. 

What makes this best free Gmail cleaner stand out from the rest of the options on this list is its overall approach to organization. Instead of lumping messages into folders based on commonalities, you create email threads so everything you need is in a single row. The app will automatically do this, but you can manually reorganize threads or combine them anytime.

5. Organize Your Inbox with Mailman 

As an exclusive Gmail cleaner, Mailman is optimized to simplify organizing your Google’s inbox. Like other apps to clean Gmail inbox, Mailman allows you to block specific senders or remove yourself from subscription lists. You can use the VIP List to ensure you always see essential messages from specific senders or emails that contain keywords you specify. 

What makes Mailman stand out from other options for the best email cleaner for Gmail is its ability to control when you get your messages. With the Do Not Disturb feature, you can block notifications during certain times of the day so emails don’t interrupt you. Similarly, you can use the Delivery Slots feature to control how many times per day and when you receive message notifications.

6. Use AI to Clean Your Inbox with SaneBox 

SaneBox is a Gmail cleaner app that utilizes artificial intelligence to help save you time when dealing with incoming messages. In other words, the service sorts your messages based on their importance so you can focus on the most essential items and leave the rest for when you have time. What makes SaneBox unique is its approach to inbox management. Instead of having an inbox and a bunch of random folders, this best Gmail cleaner app utilizes custom folders to sort all messages: 

  • SaneLater
  • SaneTomorrow
  • SaneBulk
  • SaneNews
  • SaneBlackHole and more

As you move messages yourself and take other actions, SaneBox watches and learns. This Gmail cleaner tool will start taking action based on what it learned from you.

7. Get Rid of Spam with Trimbox 

If you’re looking for a Gmail cleaner that operates entirely in your mail account and strictly focuses on removing spam, then Trimbox is the tool for you. It works as a Chrome extension, meaning you don’t have to download or integrate anything beyond a simple browser tool. This solution stands out from other options because of its simplicity and ease of use. You don’t have to navigate complicated menus since the Chrome extension works directly from your Gmail inbox. 

This is a significant advantage over other apps we reviewed, as most function as separate entities. What Trimbox is mainly known for is its one-click Unsubscribe tool. Once you connect the extension to your account, the Trimbox logo will appear next to any message eligible for unsubscription. You can use the 'Delete all emails' option to remove all messages from a sender.

8. Screen New Emails with ZenMail 

This Firefox and Chrome extension helps users screen and organize new emails. When you receive a new email, a screener asks what you want to do with subsequent emails from the sender. 

You can avoid unwanted newsletters easily. As messages come in, you can:

  • Archive
  • Delete
  • Even designate a specific folder or label for them

You don’t have to be concerned about losing crucial emails when you remove a whole email folder.

9. Keep Your Inbox Tidy with Mail Sweeper 

Mail Sweeper is like a robot janitor for your inbox. Unimportant emails are collected in your dustpan and periodically moved to the trash. This helps conserve email storage space and avoid paying for extra Gmail storage. 

Installation only takes a few minutes: Login, answer questions, and click Install. Unlike other products on this list, Mail Sweeper isn’t a subscription. A small one-time payment and Mail Sweeper will keep your inbox tidy forever.

10. Unsubscribe from Newsletters with Unroll.me 

If you’re interested in finally unsubscribing from all those annoying newsletters, Unroll.me might 

be the best email cleaner tool. Once you link up your email address, you’ll get a near-instant breakdown of all your current subscriptions. You can unsubscribe from anything and everything that’s no longer relevant to you. It’s completely free, so there’s no downside.

Related Reading

How to Choose the Best Gmail Cleaner

woman using a laptop -  How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

1. User Experience and Design: How to Find an Email Cleanup Tool That Is Easy to Use

When looking for an email cleanup tool, consider the user experience and design of the platform. A clean interface helps you quickly organize your inbox without overcomplicating your email workflow. Most tools on my list support significant email providers such as:

  • Gmail
  • Outlook
  • iCloud

They allow you to connect your mailbox by simply signing up using your email address on their website; there is no need to download any extensions to your desktop. 

Some tools in this article also offer apps for iOS and Android, allowing you to clean up your mailbox conveniently via your smartphone or tablet. If you need assistance when getting started or using the clean-up tool, all of the tools on my list offer help through articles or videos on each feature you can refer to throughout the process.

2. Security: How to Protect Your Data When Using an Email Cleanup Tool

Another key consideration when selecting an email cleanup tool is security. You should ensure that the content of your emails, attachments, and personal data aren’t shared outside the server. Most of the tools on my list prioritize privacy and security, reassuring users that the only person reading their emails will be them. Instead, most of these tools scan information such as:

  • Subject line
  • Sender
  • Date
  • Time
  • Analyze the patterns

In your email behavior. Although some tools might need your email password or OAuth token, these are encrypted for maximum security. There is one tool in my list that, to keep it free, sells data for statistical purposes. This was disappointing, but as there were plenty more tools to choose from, this wasn’t a hindrance.

3. Mailbox Cleanse: What to Look for in an Email Cleanup Tool 

This was the first point of call when incorporating an email cleaning tool into my mailbox. Getting rid of emails from over three years ago, out-of-date newsletters that were sitting unopened, and any leftover spam or junk mail was highly satisfying and helped clear my workspace, leaving only relevant communication that I needed to refer to or act on in the future. 

As a marketer, this has made me mindful when targeting my audience with email campaigns to ensure that the subject lines are intriguing and don’t trigger spam filters. The ability to cleanse your mailbox is also great if you’re reaching your storage limit, especially when you receive emails with large file attachments like I do. Ultimately, this detox motivates you to keep your mailbox clean and organized.

4. Inbox Organization: How Email Cleanup Tools Can Help You Stay Organized

The game changer! Sorting the spam from the genuine and filtering your emails into specific folders is what we’re here for when connecting an email cleaner tool to our mailboxes. Most of the tools on my list have presets or predefined filters relating to common emails a user like you or I might receive, for example, newsletters, cc’d emails, or spam from accounts with a sketchy sender reputation. 

Most of these are customizable so that you can manage your mailbox. Streamlining the emails into organized, logical folders saves time and maximizes your workflow, allowing you to concentrate on what’s important or relevant to your current projects. I find this particularly proactive and rewarding as I prioritize my time for my creative work rather than constantly admin.

5. Pricing: How Much Should You Pay for an Email Cleanup Tool? 

Like various business, marketing, and organizational programs, most email cleaner tools have a pricing system—especially when they offer more than just mailbox cleaning! They’re usually tiered with a basic, standard, and pro approach, offering different features and several account connections. 

How much you pay depends on how organized you want to be and how many people within your team will be involved if you use it for business. I’d suggest starting with the free trial, seeing how many features you benefit from using and basing your price plan on that.

10 Best Practices to Prevent Future Gmail Inbox Clutter

woman using a laptop - How to Delete Large Amounts of Emails in Gmail

1. Unsubscribe from Unwanted Emails: Regain Control of Your Inbox 

Take the time to unsubscribe from:

  • Newsletters
  • Promotional emails
  • Other subscriptions 

You no longer find it relevant or useful. Most emails include an unsubscribe link at the bottom, making removing yourself from mailing lists easy. 

2. Be Selective About Email Subscriptions to Avoid Inbox Overload 

Before subscribing to a new service or website, consider whether you truly need or want to receive email updates from them. Being selective about your subscriptions can help prevent inbox overload. 

3. Set Boundaries for Email Management 

Establish clear boundaries for when and how often you check your emails. Avoid constantly checking and responding to emails throughout the day, as it can be a significant productivity drain. Instead, allocate specific times for email management to maintain focus on other tasks. 

4. Get in the Habit of Deleting Emails 

Instead of letting emails accumulate, develop a habit of deleting or archiving emails as soon as you've read or responded to them. This proactive approach helps keep your inbox clutter-free. 

5. Organize with Labels and Categories 

Utilize labels or folders to categorize and organize your emails. Create labels based on:

  • Different projects
  • Clients
  • Categories

And assign relevant emails to these labels. This makes it easier to locate specific emails and maintain a structured inbox. 

6. Set Up Filters for Automatic Labeling in Gmail 

Use filters to label incoming emails based on specific criteria automatically. For example, you can create filters to label emails from specific senders with specific keywords or certain attachments. This streamlines the organization process and helps you stay on your emails. 

7. Utilize Priority Inbox 

Gmail offers a priority inbox feature that automatically categorizes your emails into sections such as:

  • Important
  • Unread
  • Starred

This lets you focus on the most crucial emails first and helps prevent essential messages from getting lost in the clutter. 

8. Schedule Regular Email Clean-Up Sessions 

Dedicate specific times to review and delete unnecessary emails. Set aside weekly or monthly sessions to declutter your inbox, delete outdated messages, and archive or organize essential emails. 

9. Avoid Hoarding Unnecessary Emails 

Be mindful of holding onto emails that no longer serve a purpose. Regularly assess and delete emails that are no longer relevant or needed. This helps maintain a streamlined and clutter-free inbox. 

10. Manage Attachments to Save Space 

Large attachments can quickly clog up your inbox and consume storage space. Regularly review and delete attachments that are no longer necessary. Consider using cloud storage services or file-sharing platforms to store necessary attachments externally.

By implementing these practices, you can establish a solid foundation for preventing future email clutter and maintaining an organized inbox. Email management is an ongoing process, so it's essential to regularly review and tweak your strategies to suit your evolving needs.

Clean Up Your Inbox With One-Click with Inbox Zapper's Gmail Cleanup Tool for Free Today

Inbox Zapper is the Gmail cleanup tool that works. With one click, Inbox Zapper:

  • Mass unsubscribe from emails and newsletters and mass delete emails. 
  • Scans your inbox for unwanted emails and lists. 
  • None of your email data ever leaves your device, preserving complete privacy. 

From day one, Inbox Zapper was designed with privacy in mind. Other tools resell your data; we just help you clean your inbox. 

Join 15,687 people who have used Inbox Zapper to clean 28,384,924 emails. For now, Inbox Zero only supports Gmail, but we will also expand to other email services. Inbox Zapper is the easiest way to clean your Gmail inbox. Try Inbox Zapper's Gmail cleanup tool for free today to clean up your Gmail inbox with one click. 

Related Reading

📬 😩

Get Inbox Zapper