How to Remove Google Calendar Spam

Introduction

Is your Google Calendar flooded with invites telling you that you won a free iPhone or iPad, a vacation, a TV, or something else you wish were true? If so, you’re not alone, and most of these invites are populated as a result of either Google automatically putting calendar invites you receive on your calendar whether you accept them or not, and also as a result of automatically putting events detected in your emails on your calendar. Don’t worry, there are some things you can do to remove the unwanted calendar spam and take back your calendar. In this video I’ll show you how to both prevent the Google Calendar spam from being shown, and also how to report and remove any remaining Google Calendar spam. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.

Steps to Prevent Google Calendar Spam

1. Open your web browser, navigate to calendar.google.com, and then sign into your Google account if prompted. You’ll land on your Google Calendar home screen.
2. Click the “Settings” icon to open a menu, and then click “Settings” in the menu.
3. Click to expand the “General” section, and then click “Event Settings” in that list. The Event Settings section is displayed on the right side of the screen.
4. Click to expand the drop-down for Automatically Add Invitations, and then choose “No, only show invitations to which I have responded.” Now, you’ll no longer see any calendar items for any of the Google Calendar spam invites you haven’t responded to.
5. Next, scroll down to the View Options section, and then click to remove the check mark from “Show declined events.” This will ensure that none of the calendar spam events that you declined are displayed either.
6. Finally, scroll down to the Events from Gmail section, and then click to remove the check mark next to “Automatically add events from Gmail to my calendar.” Click “OK” in the dialog box asking if you’re sure you don’t want events found in your Gmail to be added to your calendar automatically to de-select that option. This will prevent any events that are detected in your Gmail emails from being automatically populated in your Google Calendar, which can also be a source of Google Calendar spam.

Steps to Report Google Calendar Spam

For any remaining spam still being shown in your Google Calendar, you’ll need to report each individual item as spam to get rid of it. The good news is that as you report spam, those Google Calendar items are removed, along with any other items from that sender. Let’s walk through the steps to report Google Calendar spam.

1. In either the Google Calendar website, or the Google Calendar app for iPhone, iPad or Android devices, navigate to the Google Calendar item you want to report as spam, and then tap or click to expand the details associated with it.
2. Tap the ellipses in that window to view a menu, and then tap “Report as spam” in that menu. Another window appears asking if you’re sure you want to report this item as spam. Choose “Report.” That item will be removed from your Google Calendar, along with any other items from that send.

Repeat this process to remove any remaining unwanted spam from your Google Calendar.

5 Reasons to Remove Google Calendar Spam

1. Enhances Productivity

The most obvious reason to remove spam from your Google Calendar is to boost your productivity. Spam invites clutter your calendar. This makes it harder to spot your genuine appointments. Every minute spent deleting or managing these unsolicited events is a minute lost from productive tasks. Furthermore, these distractions break your workflow. They pull your focus away from important projects. Keeping your calendar clean ensures that you only deal with what truly matters. This sharpens your daily and weekly focus. It streamlines your scheduling process. Ultimately, it leads to a more efficient workday.

2. Protects Personal Information

Removing spam from Google Calendar also helps protect your personal information. Spammers often use these invitations to phish for sensitive details. They might trick you into clicking malicious links. These links can lead to websites that steal your data. Keeping spam out of your calendar prevents these risks. It ensures that you aren’t inadvertently exposing yourself to cyber threats. By being vigilant and cleaning up your calendar, you safeguard your personal and possibly financial information. This is crucial in an era where data breaches are common.

3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Another significant benefit of eliminating Google Calendar spam is reducing stress and anxiety. A cluttered calendar can be overwhelming. It makes it difficult to prioritize and manage your time effectively. When your calendar is filled with junk, it’s easy to feel like you’re losing control. This can lead to anxiety about missing real appointments amidst the fake ones. Keeping your calendar tidy helps maintain mental clarity and peace. It allows you to focus on what’s truly important without unnecessary stress.

4. Improves Calendar Performance

Removing spam from your Google Calendar can also improve its performance. Calendars overloaded with events may load more slowly. They might sync less efficiently across devices. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your calendar to manage your daily activities. By clearing out spam, your calendar remains streamlined and responsive. It ensures that you can access your schedule quickly and reliably, no matter where you are or what device you are using.

5. Maintains Professionalism

Finally, maintaining a spam-free Google Calendar is key to upholding professionalism. Imagine sharing your calendar with a colleague or client, and it’s full of spam. It doesn’t look good. It can give the impression that you’re disorganized or careless. Keeping your calendar clean not only helps you stay on top of your appointments. It also projects an image of efficiency and attention to detail. This is vital in maintaining a professional appearance in all your business interactions.