Rule to notify me when receiving email that I've previously unsubscribed from

majorgear · 26 Apr 2026, 01:43 AM

I'm not sure this is possible, but I'm looking for a way to detect emails I received after I have clicked on the "unsubscribe" button in Fastmail.

The Goal

Detect failed unsubscribe requests so that I can fix them.

What Happens

What prompted this post is that I have received emails after I have clicked on "unsubscribe" link in Fastmail, and it said I was unsubscribed.

What I think is happening is Fastmail tries it's best to unsubscribe me, but my DNS blocklist ( pi-hole) quietly prevents the request from going through.

My Idea for a Solution
After I click on "unsubscribe, I move the email in a folder named "unsubscribed" as a record of my unsubscription. When I get an email with the "unsubscribe" link , I check for the sender in this folder.

That is all manual. Can I automate this workflow somehow? Something like if emails from this sender are found in the subscribed folder, notify me and move email into "investigate" folder.
---
I'm on a Macbook using the Fastmail Web interface, but I do have Apple mail installed and connected to my FM account for indexing purposes.

JeremyNicoll · 26 Apr 2026, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majorgear

What prompted this post is that I have received emails after I have clicked on "unsubscribe" link in Fastmail, and it said I was unsubscribed.

It's not FM that unsubscribes you from mails ... it's the sender.

If the mails were from a mail-list mechanism (eg: listserv or mailman) then there will usually be a confirm process which you have to follow (to stop other people from unsubbing you).

If the sender is a reputable company and acts on your request it's common for you still to get mails from them for a few weeks ... because (it seems) lots of companies still work in old ways & don't update their distribution lists every time a single user joins or leaves.

If the sender is disreputable they might well ignore your request.

I just keep a list of what I tried to unsub from & when, & whether the sender's mail system properly acknowledged my request & whether (starting 3-4 weeks on) I got any more mails from them.

If it's a reputable company I might then look carefully on their website for help on unsubbing or email their customer service people.

majorgear · 26 Apr 2026, 06:42 AM

I think I found a good solution from another user.

"before I unsubscribe I set up a rule to move messages from that sender to the "unsubscribed" folder, so will know if they are still sending. "

I'm going to do this. Solved!

26 Apr 2026, 01:43 AM	#1
majorgear Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 10	Rule to notify me when receiving email that I've previously unsubscribed from I'm not sure this is possible, but I'm looking for a way to detect emails I received after I have clicked on the "unsubscribe" button in Fastmail. The Goal Detect failed unsubscribe requests so that I can fix them. What Happens What prompted this post is that I have received emails after I have clicked on "unsubscribe" link in Fastmail, and it said I was unsubscribed. What I think is happening is Fastmail tries it's best to unsubscribe me, but my DNS blocklist ( pi-hole) quietly prevents the request from going through. My Idea for a Solution After I click on "unsubscribe, I move the email in a folder named "unsubscribed" as a record of my unsubscription. When I get an email with the "unsubscribe" link , I check for the sender in this folder. That is all manual. Can I automate this workflow somehow? Something like if emails from this sender are found in the subscribed folder, notify me and move email into "investigate" folder. --- I'm on a Macbook using the Fastmail Web interface, but I do have Apple mail installed and connected to my FM account for indexing purposes.

26 Apr 2026, 06:42 AM	#3
majorgear Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 10	I think I found a good solution from another user. "before I unsubscribe I set up a rule to move messages from that sender to the "unsubscribed" folder, so will know if they are still sending. " I'm going to do this. Solved!