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December 11, 2025

Gmail data classification update: include header or footer message

What’s changing

Earlier this year, data classification labels for Gmail became generally available. Admins can use this feature to classify and audit email content according to organizational guidelines (“Sensitive,” “Confidential,” etc.) and apply policies, such as data loss prevention (DLP) rules, to protect sensitive information in email messages.

We have expanded this functionality to include the ability to create a DLP rule that adds a header or footer message to email messages. Critically, header and footer messages will be shown to users outside of your domain, which helps ensure external users are aware of the sensitivity of the message and any handling requirements. DLP rules are applied to outbound messages from your domain based on how you have configured the rule scope and conditions. As a reminder, the actual classification label is only visible to recipients in your domain.

Admins can customize the information shown in the header or footer message, including links to further information on handling information. Headers and footers are visible on all device types, both within and outside of your domain.

Selecting “Add footer message” when creating a rule

Selecting “Add footer message” when creating a rule

Once the email is sent, the banner will appear in the body of the email.

Once the email is sent, the banner will appear in the body of the email

For more information on data classification labels for Gmail, please refer to our previous announcement.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Data loss prevention rules with labels as a condition or labels as an action are available to:

  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade
  • Frontline Standard and Plus
  • Cloud Identity Premium (with Workspace plan that includes Gmail)

Resources