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Why did my email open rates drop after a template redesign, but click rates remained the same?

Summary

A sudden drop in email open rates, especially after a template redesign, can be concerning, even if click rates remain stable. This situation often points to deliverability issues rather than content quality problems, as users are still engaging with the email when it reaches their inbox. Key factors to investigate include changes in email size impacting tracking pixel visibility, how internet service providers (ISPs) perceive new or altered templates, and the accuracy of open rate metrics themselves.

What email marketers say

Email marketers grappling with a drop in open rates after a template redesign, while click rates hold steady, often point to a disconnect between content appeal and deliverability. Many suspect that changes, even minor ones, can cause ISPs to treat emails differently, impacting inbox placement. The focus shifts to technical aspects like tracking pixel reliability and the true meaning of 'open' in modern email environments.

Marketer view

An email marketer from Email Geeks shared their recent experience, noting that about a week and a half after launching a new redesigned email template, their daily open rates significantly dropped while click rates remained largely unchanged. They are observing the numbers by day of the week to analyze the impact.

12 Feb 2020 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

An email marketer from the Constant Contact Community indicates that a compelling subject line is crucial for attracting opens. They suggest testing different sending days and times, and reviewing content to ensure it is not too repetitive or similar, as these factors can lead to decreased engagement over time.

15 Feb 2020 - Constant Contact Community

What the experts say

Email deliverability experts highlight that open rate data is inherently complex and often unreliable, particularly due to changing client behaviors like image caching and privacy features. They emphasize that any significant change to an email's content or structure can impact its perceived reputation by ISPs. The stability of click rates, in contrast to dropping opens, strongly suggests an inbox placement issue rather than a lack of subscriber interest.

Expert view

A deliverability expert from Email Geeks suggests that stable click rates despite decreased opens indicate that the initial focus should be on obvious factors. They question if the tracking image handler or URL changed, or if the tracking image might be lost if the message is truncated by Gmail due to its size.

12 Feb 2020 - Email Geeks

Expert view

An email deliverability expert from SpamResource.com advises that email providers often use a combination of engagement metrics, including opens and clicks, to determine inbox placement. They note that a sudden shift in template might trigger algorithms to re-evaluate sender reputation, leading to initial filtering.

20 Apr 2024 - SpamResource.com

What the documentation says

Technical documentation and industry resources emphasize that email template redesigns, particularly those increasing HTML payload size or introducing new image elements, can subtly affect deliverability. While open rates are a key metric, their accuracy can be compromised by various factors, including how email clients render messages and track engagement. The documentation suggests that engagement metrics like clicks are more reliable indicators of content value once an email reaches the inbox.

Technical article

Documentation from Beehiiv Blog asserts that understanding email open rates and their impact on deliverability is critical for optimizing email strategies. They highlight the importance of dissecting trends and changes in these rates to gain actionable insights into performance.

10 Apr 2024 - Beehiiv Blog

Technical article

Mailchimp's resources encourage marketers to compare their email marketing statistics against industry benchmarks. This comparison helps in understanding current performance and identifying areas where improvements can be made to better align with industry averages.

05 Mar 2024 - Mailchimp

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