I have many rules set up in Mail so that messages are sorted into a whole series of folders and my inbox is kept relatively clear. This has worked well for some time but recently my inbox gets many of the messages that should be sorted into the folders. When I select an errant message and click Obey Rules, off it goes to its chosen folder. Why doesn't it go there automatically? So far I have not identified any particular messages which don't obey the rules. I have checked that the search criteria are correct.
I guess you've checked that the rule is marked as Active in Preferences > Rules.
If so, do you have more than one rule active? Some rules, if satisfied, contain in their actions one called 'Stop evaluating rules'. I think that inhibits any further rules from being tested. See Apple's 'News from Apple' rule as an example.
Alternatively, they've just broken it. My afternoon with Mail has nearly resulted in the defenestration of a MacBook Pro and the purchase of a Windows laptop!
Lionel Ogden 