You’re checking your email. You spot a message that looks important. But wait – Gmail flashes a bright yellow warning! Uh-oh. It says something like, “Be careful with this message. It looks suspicious.”
Don’t panic. You’re not being hacked (probably). Gmail is just doing its job keeping you safe. But sometimes it gets a little… dramatic.
Let’s walk through what this warning means, how you can fix it, and what you should (and shouldn’t) do.
What Is the Gmail Warning Message?
Ever seen these?
- “Gmail couldn’t verify that this message actually came from [email].”
- “This message seems dangerous.”
- “Be careful with this message.”
These are warnings Gmail adds to emails when something seems fishy. Even if the email is legit, Gmail might flag it because something’s not quite perfect.
Why Is Gmail Being So Suspicious?
Gmail uses smart scanners to sniff out shady-looking stuff. Your email might get flagged if:
- It came from a new or unfamiliar domain.
- It doesn’t pass email authentication checks like SPF, DKIM, or DMARC.
- It has suspicious links or attachments.
- You’ve never emailed this person before.
- The email was marked as spam by other users.
Even if your grandma sends you a friendly hello, she might trigger the warning if she used a new email provider or clicked the wrong buttons.
How to Deal With the Warning
Alright, time for the fix! But first, ask yourself:
Is this email from someone you know and trust?
- If yes, go ahead and open it – but be aware of odd links or requests.
- If no, do not click anything. Delete it or report it as spam.
If You’re the Sender (Trying to Fix the Problem)
Got reports saying your emails show a warning? That means Gmail doesn’t trust your emails yet. Here’s how to earn its trust:
1. Set Up SPF
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is like a VIP list of mail servers allowed to send on your behalf.
To fix this:
- Log in to your domain hosting account.
- Edit your DNS Records.
- Add a TXT Record that includes something like:
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
This tells Gmail, “It’s cool, this email really came from me.”
2. Set Up DKIM
DKIM stands for DomainKeys Identified Mail. It places a digital signature on your emails.
This proves to Gmail that the email wasn’t changed along the way.
- Enable DKIM in your email service (like Google Workspace, Zoho, Outlook, etc.).
- Add the DKIM key they provide into your DNS.
Once done, Gmail will see those tidy digital footprints and relax a bit.
3. Setup DMARC
DMARC makes SPF and DKIM even stronger.
It’s the bouncer that says, “Don’t let anyone fake this sender.” To set it up:
- Again, go to your DNS records.
- Add a TXT Record like:
v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:your@email.com
Now Gmail knows who’s in charge.
4. Avoid Suspicious Stuff
Even with all those records, Gmail can still flag emails. So stick to these rules:
- Don’t include tons of links.
- Don’t attach random ZIP or EXE files.
- Avoid using all caps or weird fonts.
- Don’t stuff your email with salesy buzzwords like “FREE” or “ACT NOW.”
Basically, write like a human. Not like a robot trying to sell miracle toothpaste.
Extra Tips for Gmail Users
If you’re not the sender, but keep getting strange emails with warnings, try this:
1. Filter Dangerous Emails
Use Gmail filters to automatically send sketchy stuff to spam.
- Click the gear icon ⚙️ (Settings) > See all settings
- Go to Filters and Blocked Addresses
- Create a new filter for suspicious terms or domains.
2. Report Spam
That helps Gmail learn what’s bad and what’s not.
Just click the three dots on the email, then Report phishing or Report spam.
3. Use Gmail’s Confidential Mode
If you’re sending sensitive info, try Confidential Mode.
This adds an expiry timer and disables forwarding or printing.
When Will Gmail Trust You Again?
Good question. Even after setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, Gmail might take some time to fully trust you – especially if you have a brand-new domain.
The more people open and reply to your emails, the more Gmail learns you’re the real deal.
Pro tip: Warm up a new email address by sending emails slowly at first. Start with 10-20 a day, then build up.
Bonus: Test Before You Send
You can check your deliverability before hitting “send.” Try these tools:
These tools tell you if your email is likely to be flagged. Super helpful!
Let’s Recap – Fix That Gmail Warning!
- Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records in your domain DNS.
- Avoid sketchy links, files, caps, and spammy words.
- Test your email before you send it to lots of people.
- Be patient – Gmail’s trust takes time!
Gmail is just trying to keep your inbox safe. Once you play by the rules and keep your emails clean, it’ll stop yelling at your friends.
Now go forth and send friendly, authenticated emails – without yellow walls of doom.