Summary
Gmail's grey warning bar or question mark is a security alert indicating that a message may be suspicious, potentially due to unauthenticated senders, content triggering spam filters, or unusual sources. This alert appears even if a tenant override or a user-created filter directs the email to the inbox. The presence of the grey bar suggests that Gmail cannot verify the sender's identity and advises caution. Implementing email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for senders to improve their reputation and reduce the likelihood of these warnings, while users should carefully verify senders before interacting with flagged emails.
Key findings
- Authentication is Key: The primary reason for the grey warning is the inability to authenticate the sender's identity. Gmail uses SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify senders.
- Spam Filter Triggers: Even authenticated senders can trigger the warning if their content resembles spam or originates from unusual sources. Other users marking similar emails as spam influences Gmail's assessment.
- User Awareness: Gmail's alert serves as a reminder to users to exercise caution before clicking links or providing personal information. A filter to allowlist an email doesn't negate this warning.
- Tenant Level Rules: The grey bar may be shown despite tenant level rules setup, Google is still warning users about potental risk.
Key considerations
- Authentication Protocols: Senders should implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate their emails and improve deliverability. A custom tracking domain can further enhance reputation.
- Careful Verification: Users encountering the grey warning should verify the sender's identity and scrutinize the email content before interacting with it. Check the headers if unsure.
- Content Review: Review email content to avoid triggering spam filters. Remove suspicious links or language.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Track and monitor sender reputation to swiftly address problems before they impact deliverability and trigger Gmail's spam filters.
What email marketers say
12 marketer opinions
Gmail's grey warning bar or question mark serves as an alert indicating potential issues with an email's legitimacy and security. It appears when Gmail's spam filters flag a message as suspicious, often due to a lack of proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) by the sender, which makes it difficult to verify their identity. A tenant override or filter can override the spam warning.
Key opinions
- Gmail's Warning System: The grey bar is Gmail's way of alerting users to potentially insecure or suspicious emails.
- Authentication Issues: A primary cause is the sender's failure to properly authenticate their emails using protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Spam Filter Triggers: The warning can appear if the email content triggers Gmail's spam filters, even if the sender is known.
- Tenant Overrides: Organizations might implement rules that override Gmail's spam detection, leading to the grey bar even if Gmail initially flagged the message.
- User Actions Impact: The collective actions of other Gmail users marking similar emails as spam can influence Gmail's assessment and trigger the warning.
Key considerations
- Verify Sender Identity: When encountering a grey warning bar, users should carefully verify the sender's identity before clicking links or providing personal information.
- Implement Authentication: Email senders should implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to properly authenticate their emails and improve their sender reputation, reducing the likelihood of Gmail displaying the warning.
- Content Review: Review email content to ensure it doesn't inadvertently trigger spam filters; avoid suspicious links and language.
- Custom Tracking: Set up a custom tracking domain.
- Monitor Sender Reputation: Regularly monitor sender reputation and deliverability metrics to identify and address any issues that may be contributing to Gmail's warnings.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that if an email goes to spam after you created a rule, it’s likely due to other users doing weird things with those emails and that this is a co-incidence.
27 Nov 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that the gmail spam filters think an email is spam based on their ML model or other data. The only reason it didn’t go to the spam folder was the tenant override.
2 Mar 2024 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
2 expert opinions
Gmail displays a grey question mark instead of a sender's logo when it cannot verify the sender's identity, indicating the email is not authenticated. Experts advise caution and verification of the sender before interacting with the message and recommend senders implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for authentication.
Key opinions
- Unauthenticated Sender: The grey question mark signifies that Gmail couldn't confirm the sender's identity.
- Gmail's Uncertainty: Gmail is unsure if the sender is who they claim to be.
- Proceed with Caution: Users are advised to exercise extra caution before clicking links or sharing personal information.
Key considerations
- Verify Sender: Always verify the sender's identity before engaging with the email.
- Implement Authentication: Senders should implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to authenticate their emails.
- Increased Security: Proper email authentication increases security and sender reputation.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains that if Gmail shows a question mark instead of the sender's logo, it means the message is not authenticated. Gmail is unsure if the sender is who they claim to be, so proceed with caution.
17 Sep 2024 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) explains that a gray question mark icon next to the sender's name on Gmail means Google couldn't confirm the sender's identity. Users should be extra careful before clicking links or sending personal information in response to the message. Senders should authenticate by implementing SPF, DKIM and DMARC.
5 Dec 2021 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Gmail uses a grey bar or question mark as a security alert to signal potentially suspicious messages, often due to unauthenticated senders, harmful content, or unusual sources. Implementing DMARC, an email authentication protocol using SPF and DKIM, can improve email security and reduce the chances of Gmail displaying these warnings. Users should exercise caution when interacting with such messages.
Key findings
- Security Alert: The grey bar/question mark is a security alert indicating a potentially suspicious email.
- Authentication Failure: A common reason is the inability to verify the sender's identity.
- DMARC's Role: DMARC helps protect against email spoofing and phishing by verifying the sender's identity.
Key considerations
- Exercise Caution: Be cautious when interacting with emails displaying the grey bar/question mark.
- Implement DMARC: Implement DMARC, SPF, and DKIM to ensure proper email authentication and improve security.
- Review Email Content: Check for potentially harmful content or unusual sending patterns that may trigger the alert.
Technical article
Documentation from Google Workspace Admin Help indicates that a grey question mark means the message isn't authenticated. Gmail couldn't verify that the message was actually sent by the person who appears to be sending it. Users should be careful about replying to, or clicking links in, such messages.
29 Apr 2024 - Google Workspace Admin Help
Technical article
Documentation from DMARC.org explains that DMARC is an email authentication protocol that allows senders to indicate that their emails are protected by SPF and DKIM, and tells receivers what to do if SPF and DKIM checks fail – such as display a warning or reject the message. Implementing DMARC can improve email security and reduce the likelihood of Gmail displaying a grey warning bar.
18 Oct 2022 - DMARC.org
