Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for applying content-based retention policies to data artifacts may include (1) identifying one or more features of a data artifact detected on a computing system, (2) identifying a collection of data artifacts that are (A) stored on at least one storage system and (B) retained in accordance with a set of retention policies, (2) determining, based at least in part on the features, that the data artifact detected on the computing system and at least one data artifact within the collection exceed a certain level of similarity relative to one another, (3) analyzing at least one retention policy of the data artifact within the collection, and then (4) providing a suggestion to apply the retention policy of the data artifact within the collection to the data artifact detected on the computing system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.