LinkedIn strategy Test blog

LinkedIn strategy
Denisa Lamaj
-
15 October 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Have you ever sent an important email from your Gmail account or Google Workspace account and waited anxiously for a response, only to hear nothing back?

You might start wondering if the person even saw your message in the first place. 

Knowing whether someone opened your email can give you clarity and help you plan your next step.

Gmail read receipts can be especially useful here, but there are other methods as well, like email tracking tools or requesting a read receipt.

Fortunately, there are tools like email trackers and methods you can use to check whether your email has been opened, whether using a read receipt request or other techniques available in Google Workspace.

In this article, we will walk you through the different ways to track email opens, focusing on MailTracker, a popular tool designed for Gmail users.

If you are interested in how to see if someone read your email in Gmail, then we have a similar article.

TL;DR: How to See if Someone Opened Your Email in Gmail

There are several ways to check if someone opened your email:

  1. Using Email Tracking Tools: These tools, like MailTracker, allow you to track emails without needing the recipient's approval. You can easily add MailTracker to Chrome for free and start tracking right away.
  2. Requesting a Read Receipt: This option is available in some email services, like Gmail read receipts, but it only works if the person you're emailing agrees to send you a confirmation. Alternatively, you can also request read receipts in Google Workspace for added tracking.
  3. Embedding Image Tags: This is a more technical approach where you insert a hidden image (like a tracking pixel) in your email. When the email is opened, the image sends a notification to let you know it's been viewed.

Why Email Tracking Matters?

Sending an important email and not hearing back can be frustrating. You might start questioning if the email got lost in their inbox, went straight to spam, or was simply ignored. 

This uncertainty can leave you wondering if you should follow up or give it more time. That's where email tracking comes in.

With email tracking, you can see exactly when your message was opened, giving you peace of mind. 

Knowing this information can help you make smarter decisions about when to send a follow-up or when to wait. 

It also increases your chances of getting a response since you can time your follow-up emails more effectively without worrying about annoying the recipient.

Common Methods to See if Someone Opened Your Email

Each method has its pros and cons, but using email tracking apps is the easiest and most reliable way to get the information you need.

Method 1: Using an Email Tracking Tool Like MailTracker

The simplest and most reliable way to know if someone opened your email is by using an email tracking tool. MailTracker is one such tool that integrates directly with Gmail. 

MailTracker

Once installed, it tracks your outgoing emails and lets you know when the recipient opens them.

If you are interested in how to track your emails for free, then you should read our guide on how to track emails in Gmail.

How MailTracker Works

MailTracker embeds a small tracking pixel (a tiny image) in your emails.

When the recipient opens your email, this pixel sends a signal back to MailTracker's server, letting you know the email has been opened. 

MailTracker Extension for Chrome

The tracking is automatic, so you don't need to make any special changes to your emails once the extension is set up.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up MailTracker:

  1. Install the MailTracker Chrome Extension: Head over to the Chrome Web Store and install the MailTracker extension.
  2. Log In to Gmail: Once installed, log in to your Gmail account. MailTracker will now be integrated with your inbox.
  3. Send an Email: After installation, the tracking function is active for all emails sent through Gmail.
  4. Check Your Email Activity: You can monitor your email status directly in Gmail or through notifications in Chrome. Each time someone opens your email, you'll receive a real-time notification telling you when it has been opened.

MailTracker not only shows you whether your email was opened but also tells you how many times it was viewed and whether it was opened on a desktop or mobile device.

Benefits of MailTracker

Using MailTracker gives you a number of advantages over traditional methods like read receipts:

  • Real-Time Notifications: MailTracker lets you know right away when your email is opened. You don't have to guess anymore.
MailTracker update
  • Increased Response Rates: By knowing when your recipient has opened your email, you can follow up at the right time, which can increase the chances of getting a reply.
  • Multiple Mailboxes: You can track emails from multiple Gmail accounts at once, making it easier to manage campaigns or personal and business emails from one place.

MailTracker is a handy tool for anyone looking to improve their email tracking experience without complex setups or approvals from recipients.

If you want other email tracker alternatives, here’s a list that you might want to read. We cover each tool’s features, pricing, pros and cons.

  1. MailTracker by Hunter
  2. Mailsuite
  3. Email Finder by Snov
  4. Boomerang for Gmail
  5. RightInbox
  6. Hubspot Sales

Method 2: Requesting a Read Receipt on Gmail

Another way to know if someone opened your email in Gmail is by requesting a read receipt. However, this option comes with some limitations. 

Read receipts are only available to Google Workspace users, which means most free Gmail users won't have access to this feature.

How Do the Read Receipts Work?

When you request a read receipt, Gmail adds a hidden code to your email. If the recipient opens the email, the code sends a signal back to your inbox to confirm it was read. 

However, the recipient has the option to decline the receipt, so it's not always a foolproof way to know if your email was opened.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Read Receipts in Gmail:

  1. Log In to Google Workspace Admin Console: This feature is only available to Google Workspace users with admin privileges.
  2. Go to User Settings: Under the settings, find the option that says "Email Read Receipt".
  3. Enable Read Receipts: Toggle the option to enable read receipts for all users in your domain.

Once read receipts are enabled, Gmail users in your workspace can request them for any outgoing emails.

However, keep in mind that recipients can still choose not to send a read confirmation, which can limit the effectiveness of this method.

Method 3: Using Image Tags in Email HTML

If you're not interested in using third-party tools or read receipts, there's another way to track whether someone opened your email—by using image tags embedded in the email's HTML.

How Image Tags Work

Image tags function similarly to tracking pixels used by email tracking tools. Essentially, you embed a small, invisible image into the HTML of your email. 

When the recipient opens the email, the image is automatically downloaded, and you are notified that the email has been viewed.

One of the advantages of this method is that it doesn't rely on the recipient's approval, as some read receipts do. 

However, setting this up requires basic knowledge of HTML to properly embed the image into your email's code.

Privacy and Security Considerations

While using image tags can be a useful method, it does come with some privacy concerns.

Since image tags can collect data about the recipient without their consent, you need to be careful about how you use them.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you're using image tags responsibly:

  • Use secure hosting and encryption for the images to protect both your data and the recipient's.
  • Make sure the content of the email is hosted securely to avoid any risks of exposure.
  • Consider letting recipients know that you're using tracking, particularly for legal or privacy reasons.

Using image tags allows you to track whether an email has been opened without relying on read receipts, but always weigh the potential privacy concerns before deciding if this method is right for you.

Manage Your Multiple Gmail Accounts with MailTracker

Knowing whether your email has been opened can remove a lot of uncertainty and help you decide on the next step, whether it's sending a follow-up or giving the recipient more time. 

For the most reliable and straightforward solution, using an email tracking tool like MailTracker is the best option. 

It offers real-time notifications without needing the recipient's consent, provides detailed insights such as how often and on which device the email was opened, and allows you to track emails across multiple Gmail accounts.

Additionally, by analyzing email activity, MailTracker helps you identify the best time to send your emails for maximum engagement.

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to stay informed about your emails, try MailTracker today. 

It's free to add to Chrome, easy to set up and gives you the tracking details you need to improve your communication and follow-up strategy.

Add MailTracker to Chrome Now and start tracking your emails instantly!