A computer-implemented method for classifying files may include identifying data to be written to a file on a storage system. The method may also include, before the data is written to the storage system, 1) identifying a characteristic of the data, 2) determining, based on the characteristic of the data, a classification for the file, and 3) using the classification of the file to select a location within the storage system where the file should be stored. The method may further include writing the data to the file at the selected location within the storage system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed herein.