Using Sender Rules

Sender Rules in AliasFleet stop unwanted senders before mail reaches an alias. A rule compares the sender address of an incoming email with its stored value and drops a matching email before forwarding, so the destination inbox receives nothing. Rules operate across every alias on the account, and each rule can be paused or deleted at any time.

Where sender rules live#

The Sender Rules page holds all blocking rules for the account. Select the Blocked Senders tab to view the list and to add, pause, search and delete rules.

What does a sender rule do?#

A sender rule drops a matching email before forwarding. When an incoming email matches a rule, the email is dropped and the sender receives a delivery failure. Nothing reaches the destination inbox, and nothing is held for later delivery.

Because a rule applies account-wide, blocking spam@example.com stops that sender from reaching any alias on the account. A sender rule therefore addresses a problem sender. When one alias alone has started receiving unwanted mail, Blacklist vs Deactivating an Alias compares blocking the sender with deactivating the alias.

What are the three rule types?#

Three rule types cover one address, a whole domain, and a pattern of addresses.

Exact Email blocks one persistent sender address. Entire Domain blocks a domain where every address sends unwanted mail. The Include subdomains checkbox extends an Entire Domain rule to subdomains, so spammer.com with the box checked also blocks anyone@sub.spammer.com. With the box unchecked, only the root domain is blocked.

Pattern uses * for any number of characters and ? for a single character. Two examples show the range:

• newsletter-*@example.com blocks any address starting with newsletter- from that domain.
• *@*.ru blocks all addresses from any .ru domain.

A broad pattern blocks more mail than a narrow pattern, so after saving a broad pattern, check that wanted mail still arrives.

How do I add a sender rule?#

1. Open the Blocked Senders tab: Go to the Sender Rules page and select Blocked Senders.
2. Start a new rule: Click Add Blocked Sender.
3. Choose the rule type: Select Exact Email, Entire Domain, or Pattern.
4. Enter the address, domain, or pattern: Type the value to block. For an Entire Domain rule, check Include subdomains only when subdomains of that domain should also be blocked.
5. Add a reason (optional): Enter a short reason so the purpose of the rule remains clear later.
6. Save the rule: Click Add Rule. The rule takes effect at once and appears in the list.

How do I pause or delete a rule?#

Each rule on the account has a toggle. Switching a rule off pauses it: mail from that sender passes through again, while the rule remains on the list and can be switched back on at any time. Pausing fits a temporary change, for example allowing a sender back for a short period without losing the rule.

To remove a rule permanently, click the trash or menu icon on the rule and confirm the deletion. The rule disappears at once, and the sender can reach aliases again. Deletion cannot be undone from the list, so pause a rule that may be needed again instead of deleting it.

How do I find a rule in a long list?#

Use the search bar above the list to filter rules by address or pattern. Typing part of an address or pattern narrows the list to matching rules.

What do the Global and Auto badges mean?#

Some entries carry a Global badge. AliasFleet maintains Global rules, and they apply to all accounts. They cover known spam infrastructure and malicious senders. Global rules appear in the list for visibility and cannot be edited or deleted.

Other entries carry an Auto badge. AliasFleet adds Auto rules automatically when suspicious activity is detected on a sender. Auto rules can be reviewed, paused, or deleted in the same way as manual rules.

How do I check whether a rule is working?#

Each rule shows a blocked count: the number of emails that rule has stopped. A rising count shows the rule is active. A count of zero means the rule has never matched an incoming email, which may mean the sender has stopped, the address or pattern is wrong, or the rule is paused. For the wider picture of blocked mail, see Blocked Emails Explained.

How do I block a sender from Analytics?#

Analytics identifies high-volume senders, and a sender found there can be blocked without retyping the address.

1. Open Analytics: Go to Analytics → Top Senders.
2. Select the sender: Click a high-volume sender that should be blocked.
3. Save the rule: The Sender Rules page opens with that address already filled in. Choose the rule type, add a reason if needed, and click Add Rule.

What if a blocked sender still gets through?#

A sender that still gets through usually points to one of three causes. First, check whether the rule is paused: a paused rule passes mail through again, so switching it back on restores the block. Second, check whether the rule was deleted: a deleted rule no longer blocks anything, and a new rule must be added. Third, check the scope of an Entire Domain rule: with Include subdomains unchecked, mail from a subdomain of the blocked domain is not blocked, so the rule needs the box checked or a separate rule for the subdomain.

A Global rule cannot be edited or deleted, so a problem with a Global entry is not fixed by changing the rule. If mail from a sender on a Global rule still arrives, the address may differ from the blocked value, for example a subdomain or a changed local part, and a manual rule for the exact address or pattern covers that variant.

Related guides and further reading#

• Blocked Emails Explained: what happens to blocked mail and how to read blocked counts.
• Blacklist vs Deactivating an Alias: when to block the sender and when to deactivate the alias instead.
• Using Sender Rules to Allow Senders: how to allow a sender through when a rule or a filter catches wanted mail.
• When an Alias Starts Getting Spam, Contain It and Replace It: the wider sequence for an alias that has started receiving spam, from identifying the source to replacing the alias.