How Can I Tell If My Email Has Been Read?

Written by Sabrina McClune | 12 06 24

Sending an important email and not getting a response can be frustrating.

You might find yourself wondering if your message was buried under a flood of emails or simply overlooked altogether.

While there’s no guaranteed method to confirm an email was read, several approaches might help shed light on what happened.

Requesting a Read Receipt

A go-to option for many people who want to check if an email was opened is to request a read receipt.

This built-in feature is available in many email platforms and, when supported by the recipient’s settings, it lets you know when your message has been viewed - though it’s far from foolproof.

Requesting a Read Receipt in Outlook

Here’s how to do it in Outlook:

Create a new message.
Go to the 'Options' tab.
Look under 'Tracking' and tick the 'Request a Read Receipt' box.
Send your email as normal - and cross your fingers.

Just keep in mind: many recipients won’t send the confirmation, either by choice or due to settings that block it entirely.

Requesting a Read Receipt in Gmail

To give it a try in Gmail:

Open Gmail and click 'Compose'.
Click the three-dot icon ('More options') in the lower-right corner.
Choose 'Request read receipt'.
Finish writing and click 'Send.'

Whether you get a confirmation depends on the type of Gmail account and the recipient’s settings - so it’s not always predictable.

Note: Some Gmail features, like read receipts, are limited to certain account types such as Google Workspace.

Limitations of Read Receipts

Read receipts can be helpful - but only in ideal conditions.

Here’s why they’re not always reliable:

Privacy defaults: Many email programs block read receipts by default.
Recipient control: People can decline to send them, even if they read your email.
Limited confirmation: These tools only show an email was opened - not whether it was understood or taken seriously.

In other words, even if you enable a read receipt, you’re still relying on the recipient’s software (and goodwill).

Email Tracking Solutions

For better insights, many turn to email tracking extensions or software.

These tools use a clever trick: they embed a tiny invisible image in your email. When that image is loaded, it signals that the email was opened.

It’s not perfect, but it often works better than relying on read receipts alone.

Here are some leading tools in this space:

Mailtrack: Great for Gmail users. You get instant notifications and a simple interface, even with the free version.
SalesHandy: Unlimited tracking and quick alerts - plus Outlook integration on premium plans.
Gmelius: Ideal for teams, with tools for scheduling, collaboration, and task tracking.
Streak: Combines CRM features with tracking for Gmail. Great for sales pipelines.
Mixmax: Includes reminders and integrations (like Salesforce), with built-in tracking.

If you’re comfortable editing HTML, you can even add a tracking pixel manually - though it’s a bit more technical.

Advantages of Email Tracking Extensions

Email tracking tools have their perks:

They often work regardless of the recipient’s settings.
They quietly track opens - no prompts or permissions required.
Some go beyond opens, showing when and where the email was viewed.
They may even track if the message was forwarded to someone else.

Still, they’re not magic - they tell you your email showed up, not whether it made an impression.

Email Tracking Update: Due to recent privacy enhancements from major providers like Apple and Google, tracking accuracy may be reduced. In high-sensitivity scenarios, consider using a solution like Mailock.

Secure Email Solutions

When stakes are high - like sending confidential or regulated information - a secure email platform is often the better choice.

These tools focus on privacy and accountability:

End-to-End Encryption: Keeps your message secure from the time it leaves your inbox until it arrives safely.
Insightful Tracking: See exactly when your email is opened, how many times, and from where.
Identity Verification: Ensures the person opening your message is the intended recipient - often through extra authentication.

It’s not just about security; it’s about peace of mind for both the sender and the recipient.

"Secure email solutions can enhance data protection and provide tracking insights for important messages."

Paul Holland, Founder, Beyond Encryption

These services often come with subscription fees, but some cater to occasional users as well.

Take Mailock, for instance - it offers a free tier with limited monthly sends and secure reply functionality.

Need more robust options for regular use?

Explore our recommendations for the top secure email services for businesses.

When Email Tracking Matters Most

In everyday conversations with friends or family, tracking whether an email was opened usually doesn’t matter much.

But in a professional setting, even small signals - like knowing when your email was read - can help shape next steps. Consider these real-world examples:

Sales: If a potential client opens your message, that might be your best cue to follow up while you’re still top of mind.
Email Marketing: Open tracking helps you measure what’s working - and what isn’t - in subject lines and timing.
Compliance: In sectors like finance or healthcare, confirming that someone received and opened a message may be part of your obligations.
Networking: Following up on a job lead or pitch? Knowing the email was read can help you avoid awkward guesswork.

"In financial services, secure and trackable communication is crucial."

Adam Byford, CCO, Beyond Encryption

Tracking has its place - but it should never be used to pressure or pry. Respecting others’ digital boundaries is just as important as getting your message across.

What to Do If You Receive No Response?

It’s frustrating - you see your message was opened, but days go by and there’s no reply. What next?

Here’s how to follow up without overstepping:

Give it time: Wait 3–5 business days. They might be swamped or out of office.
Send a gentle reminder: Reference your earlier message and ask if they’ve had a chance to consider it.
Try another channel: If it’s time-sensitive, a call or message on LinkedIn might be more effective.
Don’t overdo it: Repeated nudges can come off as pushy - one or two follow-ups is usually plenty.

Now, if the email wasn’t even opened?

Make sure the address is correct - a typo can derail everything.
Check your own sent folder for formatting or spam triggers.
Resend the message with a subject line that might stand out better.
If all else fails, consider reaching out through an alternative route.

At the end of the day, email is just one way to connect - and it doesn’t always give us the full story. Communication, after all, is a two-way street.

To Track or Not to Track?

If you’re sending emails for marketing, sales, or project updates, tracking tools can help you stay informed and plan better follow-ups.

That said, no system is perfect. Emails can be opened and ignored. Privacy settings can block your tools. And in sensitive contexts, tracking can do more harm than good.

When trust and security matter most, a secure email platform - with verifiable tracking - is the better route.

Used ethically and thoughtfully, tracking helps you communicate more clearly, without crossing any lines.

FAQs

Can You Tell if an Email Has Been Read Without a Read Receipt?

Yes - with email tracking tools like Mailtrack, you can often see when your message was opened. But don’t forget: privacy features may block this.

How Do I Request a Read Receipt in Outlook or Gmail?

In Outlook, head to the 'Options' tab when composing, then check 'Request a Read Receipt.'

In Gmail, click the three-dot menu in the compose window and select 'Request read receipt.'

Does the Sender Know if You Decline a Read Receipt?

No. If the recipient declines, the sender usually won’t receive any notice - it’s as if the feature wasn’t used at all.

Is There a Tool to See if an Email Was Opened?

Yes - platforms like Streak, Mixmax, and SalesHandy are built for this. They’ll notify you when an email is opened, as long as tracking isn’t blocked.