Gmail now uses machine learning to better filter out spam

Spam – we’ve all received it, we’re all tired of it. Fortunately, Google has just announced a few improvements to the Gmail spam filter. The service now implements advanced machine learning techniques to get a better handle on some of the trickier spam items and to prevent putting important emails in the trash.

Google is bring its machine learning techniques from Search and Google Now to Gmail. A type of machine learning has been implemented in Gmail for while already, through the use of the “report spam” and “not spam” buttons, which attempted to build up a profile and to help learn from mistakes. Now the spam filter will make use of an artificial neural network to detect spam that tries to pass itself off as an authentic email.

The filter will also be able to automatically detect your preferences for different types of email. If you don’t like newsletters, the filter will try to block more of those message types. Gmail is also now apparently better at figuring out if emails come from their supposed sources, which should help to clamp down on scams.

If you want to learn a little bit more about what machine learning is, check out our overview of the subject.

In addition to a smarter automatic filter, Google has launched its ‘Postmaster Tools’. The tool allows high-volume senders to analyze their emails with detailed reports on any errors, spam reports from recipients, and their overall reputation based on feedback.

Thanks for keeping that spam out of my inbox Google.