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Summary

Email tracking pixels, while useful for gathering engagement data, can indeed influence email deliverability, though they are rarely the primary cause of issues. Their impact often stems from improper implementation, the reputation of the tracking domain, and the evolving privacy landscape.

What email marketers say

Email marketers often find themselves balancing the need for campaign analytics with the potential risks to deliverability posed by tracking pixels. Their experiences highlight the importance of technical setup and the differing impact across various sending scenarios, such as cold email versus marketing campaigns.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks asked if the addition of a tracking pixel ever drops deliverability. They were considering a slow rollout to observe impacts, noting that this is distinct from link tracking which they know can significantly affect acceptance rates. They emphasized the importance of understanding the precise impact of new tracking technologies on email performance metrics.

08 Oct 2019 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Geeks suggested that tracking pixel deliverability issues only occur when the CNAME branding is incorrectly configured. They highlighted this as the most frequent problem they observed in their role supporting ESP clients.This underlines the critical need for proper technical setup to ensure pixels do not negatively impact sender reputation or inbox placement.

08 Oct 2019 - Email Geeks

What the experts say

Experts in email deliverability offer nuanced perspectives on tracking pixels, often distinguishing between legitimate uses and problematic implementations. Their insights frequently center on how mailbox providers interpret tracking mechanisms in the broader context of sender reputation and email content.

Expert view

Email expert from SpamResource cautions that while tracking pixels themselves may seem innocuous, their underlying infrastructure (the domains they load from) is closely scrutinized by mailbox providers. A compromised or poorly managed tracking domain can quickly lead to deliverability issues for all senders using it.They emphasize that the pixel's origin is often more important than the pixel's existence.

22 Jun 2023 - SpamResource

Expert view

Deliverability expert from Word to the Wise pointed out that many ISPs now preemptively block image loading by default, especially from unknown or suspicious senders. This renders pixel-based tracking less effective for gauging open rates, regardless of its deliverability impact.They suggest focusing on click rates and other engagement metrics for more reliable insights.

10 Aug 2023 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says

Official documentation and technical guides often detail the mechanisms of email tracking pixels and their intended use. While they primarily explain functionality, they also touch upon best practices that indirectly influence deliverability by adhering to established norms and avoiding behaviors that might trigger spam filters.

Technical article

MailMonitor's guide on email tracking pixels explains that these pixels are specifically designed for email marketing, allowing users to understand recipient behavior. The pixel is activated only when the email is opened, pushing data back to the sender's server.This fundamental mechanism allows marketers to collect valuable engagement metrics, making it a cornerstone of email analytics.

22 Jun 2022 - MailMonitor

Technical article

The Veloxy.io documentation outlines how an email tracking pixel operates. It states that the pixel functions only when the sent email is opened. Upon opening, the tracking pixel activates, transmitting engagement data back to the sender.This direct link between email opening and pixel activation is crucial for its function as an open rate measurement tool.

18 Aug 2023 - Veloxy.io

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    Do email tracking pixels affect deliverability? - Technical - Email deliverability - Knowledge base - Suped