Sending emails is a routine part of both business and personal communication, but what happens after you hit "send"?
Have you ever thought about whether the recipient opened your email or clicked on the links inside?
Email tracking apps provide answers to these questions, offering useful insights into how your emails perform and how recipients engage with them.
For example, MailTracker lets you track emails in Gmail for free in a few easy steps. Add MailTracker now to Chrome and see how it benefits your email communication.
Whether you're a marketer, salesperson, or just looking to improve your communication, email tracking can help you refine your approach and make your messages more effective.
In this article, we will help you understand the fundamentals of email tracking apps, how they work, why they are important, and how tools like MailTracker can make it easy to track your emails.
What Is Email Tracking?
Email tracking is a method used to monitor what happens to your email after it has been sent.
Specifically, it helps you understand whether someone opened your email, how many times it was viewed, and whether any links inside the email were clicked.
With email tracking, you gain insights that allow you to optimize your communication efforts.
For example, let’s say you sent a job application or a business proposal. Knowing whether someone read your email can help you decide your next steps.
If it’s been opened but no response has been received, you may follow up. If it hasn't been opened, you might consider resending it at a better time.
Email tracking offers a range of insights, including:
- When the recipient opens the email: You’ll know the exact time your email was opened.
- How many times the email was opened: If the recipient opens your email multiple times, it could indicate interest.
- Which links were clicked: If your email contains links (for example, to a product or website), you’ll know which links were clicked and how often.
- Location and device information: You can see the recipient's location and device used when opening the email (desktop, mobile, etc.).
How Does Email Tracking Work?
The technology behind email tracking is simple yet effective. It works by embedding a small image file known as a tracking pixel within your email. Let’s break down how this process works:
Tracking Pixel: A tracking pixel is a tiny, often invisible image inserted into your email. This pixel is unique to your email, and when the recipient opens the email, the pixel is downloaded from the server.
Email Opened: When the recipient opens the email, this tracking pixel is downloaded, which triggers a notification for you. This notification includes useful information like the time the email was opened, the device used, and the recipient’s location.
Link Tracking: Many email tracking software also track links. If your email contains links, and the recipient clicks on one, the tool records this interaction, giving you insights into which parts of your email are engaging.
For example, if you send cold emails or marketing email with multiple links to products, tracking the clicks will tell you which product links are getting the most attention.
Why Email Tracking Is Important
Email tracking is a valuable tool that can significantly enhance how you communicate. Here are some of the main reasons it's worth considering:
Informed Follow-Ups
Imagine you’ve sent a follow-up email to a potential client after a sales pitch, but you haven’t heard back yet.
Email tracking tools let you know whether the recipient has opened your email. If they did but didn’t respond, you can time your next follow-up strategically, reaching out when you know they're engaged with your email.
For example, let’s say you sent an email at 9 AM, and the recipient opened it at 10 AM. You could follow up around lunchtime when the email is fresh in their mind.
Email tracking helps you avoid blindly sending follow-ups, improving your chances of getting a timely response.
If you want to know the best times to send an email, then we have a guide for you on the best time to send emails.
Measure Campaign Effectiveness
For marketers, email tracking is a useful tool for evaluating the success of a campaign.
It lets you see how many emails were opened and which links were clicked, giving you a clear picture of audience engagement. This data helps you fine-tune future campaigns for better results.
For example, if you send out a promotional email to 1,000 subscribers and only 20% open it, you may want to refine your subject line or timing.
If you notice a high click-through rate for a particular product link, you might feature that product more prominently in future campaigns.
If you are more interested in email marketing KPIs, then we have a great article on 10 Email Marketing KPIs & Metrics in 2024 (With Examples)
Time Management and Efficiency
For sales teams, email tracking helps you focus on the most promising leads. If you send out several emails in one day, tracking helps you prioritize follow-ups.
Leads who opened your email multiple times or clicked a link are more likely to be interested. Instead of wasting time on non-responsive leads, you can zero in on those who are actively engaging.
Data-Driven Decision Making
With email tracking, you’re not left guessing whether your email is effective. You can make data-driven decisions to improve your email strategy.
For example, if your emails sent at 3 PM receive better open rates than those sent in the morning, you can adjust your future send times accordingly.
Top 5 Emails Tracking Apps to Try Out in 2024
It’s worth exploring some alternatives before deciding which tool is best for you. Here are five other popular email tracking apps, each with unique features:
1. MailTracker de Hunter
MailTracker is a straightforward, easy-to-use, free email tracking extension for Chrome designed for people who just need the basics.
If you use Gmail and want to know when your emails are opened without dealing with complicated features, this tool is a great fit.
It's lightweight, meaning it doesn’t slow down your email system, and it integrates directly into Gmail, so you won’t have to switch between different apps or platforms to use it.
While MailTracker by Hunter doesn't offer detailed analytics like some other tools, it focuses on what many users really need: knowing when their emails are opened and doing so in a way that’s simple and effective.
This makes it especially useful for individuals and small businesses that don’t need advanced features but still want to track their emails.
Once installed, MailTracker runs in the background, quietly adding a tracking feature to every email you send.
When your email is opened, you'll get a notification right away, helping you time your follow-ups more effectively.
And unlike some other tracking tools, MailTracker doesn’t add any logos or signatures to your emails, so they stay clean and professional.
Add MailTracker to Chrome today for Free!
Key Features:
- Real-Time Notifications: You’ll get a message as soon as your email is opened, letting you know your recipient has seen it. This is great for following up at just the right time.
- No Visible Branding: Your emails won’t have any extra “tracked by” messages or logos, keeping them professional and clean.
- Works Seamlessly with Gmail: MailTracker is built specifically for Gmail, so you can easily add it to your existing workflow without learning any new software or making complicated changes.
MailTracker by Hunter is ideal for people who want a simple, no-fuss way to track their emails. It’s perfect for freelancers, small business owners, or anyone who just needs to know when their emails are opened.
2. Snov
Snov offers a suite of tools for lead generation, email tracking, and sales automation.
In addition to email tracking, Snov includes features like bulk email sending, email verification, and automated follow-ups, making it ideal for sales teams.
Key Features:
- Email tracking with detailed analytics.
- CRM integration for advanced sales automation.
- Bulk email sending and verification.
Snov.io is suitable for sales teams that need a robust platform to manage leads and track email performance.
3. RightInbox
RightInbox is a Gmail add-on that combines email tracking with features like email scheduling, reminders, and templates.
It’s designed to enhance your email workflow and make managing large volumes of emails easier.
Key Features:
- Real-time email tracking.
- Scheduling and reminders for email follow-ups.
- Integration with popular CRM tools.
Professionals who handle large email volumes will appreciate the additional functionality offered by RightInbox.
4. Mailbutler
Mailbutler is an email tracking tool that works with both Gmail and Apple Mail.
In addition to tracking, it offers productivity tools like task management and email scheduling, making it a versatile choice for users on different platforms.
Key Features:
- Cross-platform compatibility with Gmail and Apple Mail.
- Link tracking and real-time open notifications.
- Task management and email follow-up reminders.
For users who want a more comprehensive tool for email productivity, MailButler is an excellent choice.
5. Mailmeteor
Mailmeteor focuses on privacy while offering simple email tracking and bulk email functionality.
With a strong emphasis on recipient privacy, it does not use invasive tracking pixels or add any branding to emails.
Key Features:
- Privacy-first email tracking.
- Bulk email sending with personalized templates.
- No logos or branding in tracked emails.
Mailmeteor is suitable for users who prioritize privacy and want a clean, professional email tracking experience.
Why MailTracker Stands Out?
With so many options available, you might wonder why MailTracker stands out as one of the best tools for email tracking.
Here are several reasons why MailTracker should be your go-to choice:
Notifications en temps réel
Timing is everything in communication, especially when it comes to following up. MailTracker gives you real-time notifications the moment your recipient opens an email.
For instance, if you’re in sales and you see that a potential client has opened your proposal, you can follow up right away to increase the chances of engagement.
No Limits on Tracking
Many email tracking apps limit the number of emails you can track per month. This can be restrictive, especially if you send emails frequently.
MailTracker, however, doesn’t impose any limits on the number of emails you can track, making it perfect for high-volume users.
Professional and Clean Emails
Unlike some tools that add “tracked by” logos or messages at the bottom of your emails, MailTracker ensures that your emails remain professional.
There’s no visible branding, which helps you maintain a clean, professional appearance, crucial for business or formal communication.
Privacy-Focused
MailTracker is fully compliant with data protection laws such as GDPR, ensuring that your data—and your recipient’s data—is safe. This is especially important for businesses handling sensitive information.
Cross-Device Compatibility
Emails are often opened on various devices—desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
MailTracker ensures that no matter where your recipient opens their email, whether on mobile or desktop, you’ll receive the tracking information you need.
Team-Friendly Features
MailTracker allows you to share tracking data with your team, making it easier to collaborate.
For instance, if multiple people are working on an email campaign, sharing tracking data keeps everyone informed, making it easier to adjust strategies collectively.
Email History
MailTracker offers more than just open notifications.
You can dive deeper into detailed analytics, like the number of times an email was opened and where the recipient was located when they opened the email.
This data helps you fine-tune your strategy and improve your overall email performance.
Easy Integration with Gmail
One of MailTracker’s biggest strengths is its seamless integration with Gmail. You don’t need to learn new software or make any major changes to your workflow.
Simply install the MailTracker extension, and you’ll start getting insights immediately. It’s user-friendly and perfect for beginners.
Step-by-Step: How to Use MailTracker for Email Tracking
Using MailTracker is very easy to use. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Install the Tool: Start by installing the MailTracker browser extension for Gmail. The installation process is quick and easy.
- Compose Your Email: Write your email as usual. MailTracker works in the background, automatically embedding a tracking pixel into your email without requiring any additional steps.
- Send the Email: After you send the email, MailTracker will begin tracking the recipient’s activity.
- View Email Activity Feed: As soon as the recipient opens the email, you’ll receive a notification. You can also view detailed reports, including:some text
- When the email was opened (and how many times)
- The recipient’s location and device.
- Take Action: Use this information to follow up at the right time, refine your approach, or improve future outreach based on the data provided.
Maximize Email Tracking Success with a Clear Strategy
Tracking emails isn’t just about knowing when an email is opened; it’s about using the data to enhance your communication strategy. Here’s how to build a successful email tracking strategy:
Set Clear Goals: Whether you're aiming to increase open rates, boost engagement, or improve sales conversions, set specific objectives for your email tracking efforts.
Segment Your Audience: Use tracking data to understand how different groups respond to your emails. Personalize your communication based on the preferences of each segment.
Follow Up at the Right Time: Timing is crucial in follow-ups. Use MailTracker’s real-time notifications to respond when the recipient is actively engaging with your content.
Optimize Email Content: Review your email analytics to determine what works best. If certain subject lines or content generate more opens and clicks, replicate that success in future campaigns.
Track Your Multiple Emails in Gmail for Free
Whether you're a marketer, salesperson, or anyone who frequently sends personal or business emails, tools like MailTracker can help you take your email outreach to the next level.
With real-time notifications, unlimited tracking, and detailed analytics, MailTracker is an ideal solution for both beginners and professionals.
By integrating email tracking into your communication strategy, you can follow up more effectively, understand your audience better, and ultimately achieve better results from your emails.
Start using MailTracker today and unlock the potential to transform your email communication.
