Why you're seeing a yellow "Be careful with this message" warning in Gmail

If you sent yourself a test email and spotted a yellow warning ribbon in Gmail that says "Be careful with this message," don't worry. This is a standard Gmail security alert, and it has nothing to do with your email content or Flodesk. Here's what's happening and what (if anything) you need to do about it.

Gmail shows this warning when the "To" and "From" email addresses are identical, which happens when you send a test email to yourself. Gmail flags it as a potential phishing risk because the sender and recipient are the same address.

This is Gmail's built-in security behavior. It's not specific to Flodesk; it happens regardless of which email platform you're sending from.

No. This warning only appears when you're testing your own emails. Your subscribers won't see it.

Yes, if you're sending from a custom domain (for example, hello@yourbusiness.com). Authenticating your domain tells Gmail that you're a verified sender, which removes the warning when you test emails to yourself.

If you haven't set up domain authentication yet, here's where to start: How to automatically configure your domain.

If you're sending from a free email provider (gmail.com, yahoo.com, icloud.com, or me.com), domain authentication isn't available for those addresses. The warning will appear when you send test emails to yourself, and it can't be prevented in that case.

This is one of the main reasons we recommend using a custom domain for your email sending.

A custom domain does more than clear up the warning. It also:

• Makes your emails look more professional and on-brand

• Improves email deliverability (the likelihood your emails reach the inbox)

• Reduces the chances of your emails landing in spam

• Unlocks domain authentication, which builds trust with email providers like Gmail

Not sure where to start? Check out our guide on How to Add a Custom Domain Sender Email in Flodesk.

I see a yellow warning in Gmail after sending myself a test email. Is something wrong with my Flodesk account?
Nothing is wrong. Gmail shows this warning whenever the sender and recipient email addresses match, which is exactly what happens when you test your own emails. It's a Gmail security feature, not a Flodesk issue.

Will my subscribers see the "Be careful with this message" warning?
No. Your subscribers will never see this warning. It only appears when you send an email to yourself.

How do I get rid of the warning?
Authenticate your custom domain in Flodesk. Once your domain is authenticated, Gmail recognizes you as a trusted sender and the warning goes away. If you're sending from a free email address (like gmail.com or yahoo.com), domain authentication isn't available and the warning can't be removed.

Do I need a custom domain to send emails through Flodesk?
You don't need one to get started, but it's strongly recommended. A custom domain improves your deliverability, helps your emails look professional, and lets you authenticate your domain to avoid issues like this warning.

What does "authenticate your domain" mean?
Domain authentication is a technical setup that proves to email providers like Gmail that you own your sending domain and that Flodesk is authorized to send on your behalf. It involves adding a few DNS records (small pieces of code) to your domain settings. Flodesk walks you through the process step by step, and many members complete it in under 15 minutes.