Email Tracking and Privacy

What email tracking records

A tracking pixel can record that a remote image was requested. Depending on the recipient's email application and network, the event may include a timestamp, IP-derived approximate location and device information.

What it does not reveal

• The contents of unrelated emails
• Everything a recipient does on their device
• A recipient's precise GPS location
• Whether the recipient understood the message
• Guaranteed proof that a human opened the email

How recipients can limit tracking

• Disable automatic loading of remote images
• Use privacy-protection features
• Use a VPN or privacy proxy
• View email as plain text
• Use an email provider that proxies images

If you want to inspect a suspicious message first, our guide to detecting an email tracking pixel explains what tiny images, external hosts and unique URL tokens can—and cannot—tell you.

Senders should not assume pixel tracking is invisible. Our guide to whether a recipient can detect an email tracker covers privacy tools, message-source clues and responsible disclosure.

Responsible use

Use email tracking for legitimate communication and follow-ups. Avoid using it to harass recipients, make sensitive assumptions or monitor people in ways they would not reasonably expect. Businesses should review applicable privacy and employment rules before using tracking at scale.

Be transparent where appropriate

For newsletters, marketing and regulated communications, explain analytics practices in an accessible privacy notice and provide legally required choices. This page is educational and is not legal advice.

Mail Tracer's privacy approach

Mail Tracer's data handling is described in our privacy policy. Please refer to that document for the authoritative details about what Mail Tracer collects and how it is used.