Why are some Labels prefixed with "[Gmail]/" and others not?

@ Barman58

You sound like you've got it right.

I was using Outlook Express, Mac Mail and MS Outlook 2010 years ago.

Each of them had their limitations so I just stopped using them and went
100% with the Gmail web interface.

So I suppose you've got it right that it was those email clients that caused
the [Gmail]/ to be prefixed to various labels.

But ... why weren't ALL labels prefixed the same way?

Only some.

Hmmm

@ Lance1

Thats an interesting link; thanks.

However, I'm not a coder and have absolutely NO idea of what that link is talking about

From the link I got that,
"System labels, which are labels created by Gmail, are reserved and prefixed by “[Gmail]” or “[GoogleMail]” in the list of labels."

Ok ... I can understand that the [Gmail]/ prefix will be added as a prefix to (Gmail's) System labels.

But riddle me this Batman!

Have a look at a more complete listing of my labels, which I recently edited
to remove the [Gmail]/ prefix from as many of my labels as Gmail would allow:







As you can see, its not just System Labels that have the [Gmail]/ prefix.

Some labels that I created have the [Gmail]/ prefix ... others don't.

Other labels that I created have an [IMAP]/ prefix ... others don't.

Another thing: under System labels I've got one "Drafts" label.

But I've also got:
[Gmail]Drafts,
[Imap]/Drafts,
All Mail/Drafts

In total, four (4) "Drafts" labels.

For "Trash" I've got the one System label.

But I've also got:
[Imap]/Trash,
Inbox/Trash,
Trash/Sent Mail

Four (4) "Drafts" labels.

Similarly I've got one "Sent Mail" label under System labels.

But I've also got:
[Imap]/Sent,
All Mail/Sent Mail,
Inbox/Sent,
Sent Messages,
Trash/Sent Mail

A total of six (6) "Sent" labels variously named.

How come?

I can't change their labels either.

If they've got a prefix, I can't change or delete the prefix.

I have the option to "remove" a label, but how did all these different
labels that, on the surface seem to serve the same purpose, get
created in addition to Gmail's System label having the basic name?

Any thoughts on why?

Thanks!