Boost Email Privacy with Microsoft Outlook’s “Plus Addressing” Trick
If your Outlook inbox feels like a chaotic mix of newsletters, promotions, and random messages you don’t even remember signing up for, you’re not alone. But what if there were an easy way to trace where each email came from without juggling multiple email accounts?
Good news: If you’re using Microsoft 365 or Outlook Online, there’s a built-in trick you can start using right now. It’s called plus addressing, and it’s a simple, powerful way to create unlimited email aliases on the fly.
This little tidbit has been out there for quite some time as Gmail and Google Workspace (formerly GSuite) support it as well.
What Is Plus Addressing in Outlook?
Plus addressing lets you add a “+tag” to your existing Outlook email address. Everything after the + is ignored by Microsoft when routing the email, but you still see the full address, making it perfect for tracking and organizing messages.
If your email is:
sarahconnor@outlook.com
Then all of the following will still land in your inbox:
sarahconnor+events@outlook.com
sarahconnor+newsletters@outlook.com
sarahconnor+resistance@outlook.com
Pro Tip: If you’re using Microsoft 365 with a custom domain (e.g., you@yourdomain.com), this trick works the same way! Just use you+whatever@yourdomain.com.
Why Use Plus Addressing?
Track Sign-Ups
Wondering which websites are sharing your email? Use a unique +tag when signing up, like kylereese+dealsite@outlook.com. If that alias suddenly starts receiving spam, you know who the culprit is.
Automate Organization
Outlook lets you set up rules to act on incoming messages. You can automatically label, categorize, move, or flag messages sent to a specific alias. For example:
- +billing → Automatically files into your “Receipts” folder
- +jobs → Flags for follow-up and assigns “Career” category
- +promos → Goes to a “Promotions” folder you check weekly
Stay Organized from Day One
By tagging emails as you give out your address, you’re organizing your inbox before the first message even arrives.
How to Implement Plus Addressing in Microsoft 365 and Outlook Online
1. Add a Tag When Signing Up
When filling out any online form, subscription, or account creation, simply use a +tag that makes sense to you.
Example: If your original address is milesdyson@outlook.com then use milesdyson+netflix@outlook.com.
2. Create a Rule in Microsoft 365 and Outlook (optional)
To automate sorting, set up a rule:
- Go to Settings (gear icon) > Mail > Rules
- Click + Add New Rule
- Name your rule (e.g., “Tag: Netflix”)
- Condition: If “To” includes +netflix@
- Action: Move to folder, categorize, flag, etc.
You can also do this in the Outlook desktop app by using Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.
A Few Caveats
- Some websites still reject email addresses with plus signs, though it’s less common today. In those cases, consider using another alias or folder rule instead.
- This trick won’t stop spam, but it helps you identify its source and lets you easily filter or block it.
- Plus Addressing can be disabled in Microsoft Exchange’s settings. Read more about how in Microsoft’s Plus Addressing in Exchange Online article.
Bonus Tip: Periods Still Matter in Outlook
Unlike Gmail and Google Workspace, periods (.) are not ignored in Microsoft addresses. So:
- john.connor@outlook.com and johnconnor@outlook.com are not the same.
- Use periods intentionally to make your address readable, but don’t rely on them as aliases.
Take Control of Your Inbox
Microsoft’s plus addressing feature is a simple, no-cost way to reclaim your inbox. Whether you’re organizing, tracking, or filtering messages, this trick gives you flexibility and control without any extra software or accounts.
Next time you register for something, just add a +tag to your Outlook or 365 email. Combine it with custom rules, and managing email becomes almost effortless.
Related: This plus addressing trick also works for Gmail and Google Workspace emails. Read our How to Use Gmail’s “+” Trick to Keep Track of Where You’re Sharing Your Email post to learn more.