Gmail data classification update: include header or footer message

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.

Getting started

• Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with classification labels, Gmail DLP & automatic classification labels, and preventing data leaks in email and attachments.
• End users: No action is required. Footers will automatically be applied to your messages depending on your admin configuration.

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now

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)