To create a filter that blocks a sender from your Gmail inbox and sends a reply to the (blocked) sender letting them know their message was automatically removed:
1 – Make sure the CANNED RESPONSES lab is enabled. (See note at the end of this blog)
2 – Click COMPOSE in Gmail
3 – Type the message you wish the blocked sender to receive in the new email’s body
Note: Gmail will not quote the original email’s text in the automatic reply
4 – Click the MORE OPTIONS downward-pointing triangle in the message’s toolbar
5 – Select CANNED RESPONSES > NEW CANNED RESPONSE … from the menu that has appeared
6 – Enter “Blocked Sender Auto-Response” (or, of course, whatever else helps you recognize the template) under PLEASE ENTER A NEW CANNED RESPONSE NAME:
7 – Click OK
8 – Now click the DISCARD DRAFT trash icon in the message toolbar
9 – Click the SHOW SEARCH OPTIONS downward-pointing triangle in your Gmail’s search field
10 – Enter the email address you want to block under FROM
11 – Optionally, make sure HAS ATTACHMENT is checked to block only emails that include attached files or enter “Fwd:” under SUBJECT to only block messages that (chances are) have been forwarded, for instance
12 – Click CREATE FILTER WITH THIS SEARCH
13 – Make sure SKIP THE INBOX (ARCHIVE IT) is checked
14 – Make sure MARK AS READ is checked as well
IMPORTANT: Gmail filters will not currently reply automatically and delete a message; only deletion will occur. Make sure DELETE IT is not checked
15 – Now make sure SEND CANNED RESPONCE: is checked
16 – Select the auto-response template you created before (called “Blocked Sender Auto-Response”, for example) from the CHOOSE CANNED RESPONSE… drop-down menu
17 – Click CREATE FILTER
HOW TO ENABLE “CANNED RESPONSES” IN GMAIL LABS
1 – Click the SETTINGS gear icon (⚙) near your Gmail’s top right corner
2 – Select SETTINGS from the menu
3 – Open the LABS tab
4 – Make sure ENABLE is selected for CANNED RESPONSES
5 – Click SAVE CHANGES