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Use a Gmail filter to forward only the messages you want Mermail AI to process. Gmail can also forward all new non-spam messages, but selective forwarding provides a narrower data boundary.

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Prerequisites

  • A Mermail mailbox address.
  • Access to Gmail in a desktop browser.
  • Permission to configure forwarding if you use Google Workspace.

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Add and verify the Mermail address

1

Open Gmail settings

In Gmail, click Settings and then See all settings.
2

Add a forwarding address

Open Forwarding and POP/IMAP or Forwarding, then click Add a forwarding address.
3

Enter the Mermail address

Enter your Mermail mailbox address. Confirm the prompts to send a verification message.
4

Approve the request

Open the verification message in Mermail and follow its confirmation link.
5

Refresh Gmail

Return to Gmail settings and refresh the page so the verified address becomes available to filters.

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Forward selected messages

1

Keep account-wide forwarding disabled

In Forwarding and POP/IMAP, select Disable forwarding. A filter can still forward matching messages to the verified address.
2

Define the filter

In the Gmail search box, click Show search options. Enter criteria such as a recipient address, sender domain, label, or subject.
3

Test the criteria

Click Search and review the results. Confirm that the search excludes private messages you do not want AI to process.
4

Create the forwarding action

Click Create filter, select Forward it, choose the Mermail address, and click Create filter again.
Prefer a positive rule such as to:[email protected] over a broad rule with many exceptions. Positive rules are easier to audit.

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Forward all new messages

To forward all new non-spam messages, open Forwarding and POP/IMAP, select Forward a copy of incoming mail to, choose the Mermail address, and save your changes. Google recommends keeping the Gmail copy in the inbox. Account-wide forwarding does not forward spam.
Account-wide forwarding sends substantially more mailbox content to Mermail. Use it only when you intend the Mermail mailbox and its AI to receive all new non-spam messages.

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Test the setup

Send one new message that matches the filter and one that does not. Confirm that only the matching message appears in Mermail.

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Stop forwarding

  • For selective forwarding, open Settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses, then disable or delete the filter.
  • For account-wide forwarding, open Forwarding and POP/IMAP, select Disable forwarding, and save your changes.

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Human takeover

If you reply to a forwarded thread directly in Gmail, Mermail treats the entire thread as human-managed and permanently stops AI processing for it.

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Troubleshooting

For current provider instructions, see Automatically forward Gmail messages to another account.