…as average Google search volume hits 1.4m in 2026
U.S. searches related to blocking scam emails have risen 52% in the last 12 months, according to keyword research analyzed by Guardian Digital, as criminals disguise malicious requests as shopping offers, account notifications and even cybersecurity warnings.
The research also identified increases in searches about stopping spam and junk email, suggesting growing interest in managing inbox risks. But blocking one sender says nothing about whether the next message can be trusted.
| Search term analyzed | Reported average search volume | Reported increase |
| How to block scam email | 236,330 | +52% |
| How to stop spam emails | 1,480,000 | +49% |
| How to stop getting junk email | 353,360 | +39% |
Commenting on the search findings, Dave Wreski, founder and CEO of Guardian Digital, said: “People search for ways to block scam emails because they want control over their inbox. But the next dangerous message may look like something they need – a purchase confirmation, a shared document or a warning that their account is at risk. The safest habit is to verify the request somewhere the sender does not control. A convincing email should never be its own proof.”
The distinction between an unwanted message and a dangerous one matters. Spam may be advertising; phishing attempts to persuade recipients to surrender information, transfer money or grant access.
Incidents this year show how wide the consequences of a compromise can be. Attacks on European supermarket refrigeration systems in early November forced some retailers in several countries to discard food. Email remains a common way in. In March, emails impersonating Ukraine’s CERT-UA urged recipients to install “protection” software but delivered remote-access malware.
Familiar workplace brands are also exploited: Microsoft accounted for 33% of brand-phishing attempts tracked by Check Point Research in Q3 2026, up from 23% in Q2. In the U.S., phishing and spoofing was the most common complaint category in the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, with 191,561 complaints.
For businesses, that means combining email protection with stronger account security and clear verification procedures, particularly for payment changes and unexpected requests for access.
Guardian Digital recommends:
- Check independently. Open a known app or saved website, or call an established contact. Avoid using links or telephone numbers supplied in a suspicious message.
- Question “urgent protection” instructions. Do not install software, run commands or approve account access on the strength of an unsolicited warning. Contact IT through an established channel.
- Strengthen sign-ins. Use unique passwords and enable phishing-resistant authentication, such as passkeys or security keys, where supported.
- Report promptly. Use the email provider’s phishing-report function and notify workplace security teams, including after clicking or entering information.
- Respond to exposure. Reset disclosed passwords through the genuine service and have active sessions reviewed. Contact the financial institution immediately if payment details or money were involved.
Methodology
The dataset for average Google searches conducted in the United States from 2025 through November 2026 was collected using KeywordTool.io, then reviewed and organized in Semrush for further analysis. The analysis considered monthly, annual and cumulative search volume estimates.
About Guardian Digital
Founded in 1999, Guardian Digital provides managed cloud email security to help businesses address phishing, business email compromise and other email threats.
Website: guardiandigital.com
