Email threads with recipients outside your organization will be labeled “External”
Thursday, April 29, 2021
We’re adding a new “External” label to email threads that include recipients outside your organization. This adds to the existing external recipient warning banner, which is displayed when responding to emails sent from outside of your organization.
The “External” label will be visible on Gmail on the web and Android devices. We will provide an update when this feature becomes available on iOS.
Important Note: Admins can turn these warning labels on or off for their organization.
The external label and warning banner appears when interacting with individuals outside the domain.
Admins and end users
The “External” label and the reply warning banner and label are helpful reminders for users to treat external messages with caution. This can help avoid unintentionally sharing confidential information with recipients outside of their organization.
Secondary and alias domains are exempted from being labeled as “External”.
- Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning external recipient warnings on or off in Gmail. Note: This setting controls both the “External” label and warning banner.
- End users: No action required. When enabled by your admin, you'll see "External" label and warning banner when interacting with or replying to email threads with recipients outside your organization or contacts.
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 29, 2021
- Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers