How to Make Sure Important Emails Don’t Go to Spam (Even If You’re Not “Techy”)
Have you ever checked your email and realized that something important went to your Spam or Junk folder by mistake? Maybe a note from a friend, a family update, or even a bill reminder? You’re not alone — and the good news is, there’s an easy way to help prevent it.
By adding someone to your email contacts, you’re telling your email program, “Hey, I know this person — their emails are welcome here.” Here’s how you can do it, step by step, without needing to be a computer whiz.
Why Emails Sometimes Go to Spam
Email companies try to protect us by filtering out unwanted or dangerous messages — but sometimes they get it wrong. Adding a person or business to your Contacts list is like putting their name in your personal address book. It tells your email system, “I want to get messages from this sender.”
How to Add a Contact (Step-by-Step Guides)
Here’s how to do it in the most common email programs. Don’t worry — you only need to do this once per contact.
For Gmail Users (on a Computer)
- Open your Gmail at www.gmail.com.
- Find an email from the person or business.
- Move your mouse over the sender’s name (at the top of the email).
- A little box will pop up — click the person icon with a + (it says “Add to Contacts” when you hover over it).
- That’s it! Gmail now knows this person is important to you.
For Outlook Users (Outlook.com or Hotmail.com)
- Open Outlook at www.outlook.com.
- Open an email from the person you want to add.
- Click their name at the top of the email.
- A small box will appear. Click “Add to Contacts”.
- Click Save — you’re done!
For Apple Mail (on a Mac Computer)
- Open your Mail app and select the message.
- Move your cursor over the sender’s name.
- Click the little arrow next to their name.
- Choose “Add to Contacts” or “Add to VIPs”.
- You’re all set!
For Yahoo Mail Users
- Go to mail.yahoo.com and open the message.
- Hover over the sender’s name in the email.
- Click “Add to Contacts” (you might see it after clicking three dots).
- Enter their name or just press Save.
👍 Extra Tips to Keep Good Emails from Going to Spam
- If you see something important in the Spam folder, open it and click “Not Spam” — this tells your email to stop sending future messages from them to Spam.
- Don’t delete emails right away if you want to keep getting them — it helps your email program learn what you care about.
- Keep your contact list updated — especially for family, friends, doctors, and services you trust.
💬 Need Help?
Don’t worry if something doesn’t look exactly like the instructions. Email programs update from time to time, and the buttons may move. If you’re stuck, ask a trusted friend, family member — or leave a comment here, and we’ll help you figure it out.
Adding someone to your contacts is a small step that can save you from big headaches later. Give it a try today!
