Everyone uses email. This means nearly everyone receives spam, and heaps of it.

Spam arrives via texts, phone calls, and social media, and most noticeably, reams of spam in your email account of varying types and dangers. However, Google has said no longer and is making big changes to stop the amount of spam received—and sent from—Gmail.

Image of a Gmail background

How Google Reduces Spam In Gmail

Gmail’s AI-powered defense blocks over 99.9% of spam, includingphishing emailsand malware, from reaching your inbox daily. However, some threats are more intricate and rapid and slip the net.

Image Credit:The Keyword

In October 2023, Google announced its official blog,The Keyword, new protections for Gmail users that implement new requirements for bulk senders—those who send more than 5,000 Gmail messages daily—starting in February 2024.

Most bulk senders fail to adequately safeguard and configure their systems, making it easy for attackers to blend in, exploit, and send spam. To fix this, Google is focusing on a vital component of email security: verifying the sender is who they claim to be. While it sounds simple, the unreliable nature of the internet can make it difficult toverify who sends an email, something spammers exploit.

How Gmail’s New Requirements Will Stop Spam

By February 2024, Gmail will have three new requirements for bulk senders.

1. Email Authentication

Those who send frequent amounts of emails must authenticate them by followingGoogle’s Spoofing and DKIM rules. It will close any security flaws for exploiters to use to endanger email users.

2. Easy Unsubscriptions

3. Closer Enforcement of Spam Rates

A precise spam rate barrier that all senders must stay under to prevent Gmail recipients from receiving excessive amounts of unwanted emails—an industry first. Ultimately, you should see less spam in your inbox.

But Google isn’t the only company pushing for such changes. For instance, Yahoo is working with Google and other email communities to make significant, powerful changes to keep emails running smoothly and make emails more secure, user-friendly, and spam-free.

Before Google’s new spam enforcement rules start in February 2024, Gmail’sEmail Sender Guidelinesdetail how users can improve their systems.

Put an End to Gmail Spam

Spam comes in many forms and is annoying to receive, so it’s good to see Google’s plan to stop bulk senders from sending spam in 2024.

It’s a change that many, if not all, Gmail users will appreciate. However, whether it does enough to reduce spam will be another test entirely, as spam comes from all corners, not just Gmail.