That newsletter knows the moment you open it — what time, on what device, and sometimes roughly where you are. Most emails you receive carry an invisible tracker, and most people have no idea. The good news is that switching it off is easy. Our GetMyPassword team explains what email tracking is and how to stop it.
What email tracking is
Email tracking usually works through a tracking pixel — a tiny, invisible image hidden in the message. When your email app loads that image, it quietly tells the sender that you opened the email, often along with the time, your device and an approximate location from your IP address. Some trackers also report when you click links inside.
Who uses it and why
- Marketers and newsletters, to measure opens and target follow-ups.
- Sales tools, to alert a sender the instant you read their message.
- Snoops, who use it to confirm an address is active and being read.
- Scammers, to verify a live target before a phishing attempt.
How to stop it
The simplest fix is to block images from loading automatically. Because the tracker is an image, a message cannot phone home until you choose to load it. Most email apps have a setting like “ask before loading remote images” or “block remote content” — turn it on. Some services go further: Apple Mail Privacy Protection and various privacy-focused apps and extensions hide your open and location from senders entirely.
A tracking pixel only works once your app loads the image. Tell your email to ask first, and you decide who learns that you opened their message — instead of everyone learning it automatically.
Privacy and security go together
Blocking trackers does more than protect privacy. Since scammers use opens to confirm a live target, loading less also makes you a quieter one. Pair it with the basics that keep your inbox itself secure: a strong, unique password from our password generator and two-factor authentication. Then you control both who reads your mail and who knows you read theirs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tracking pixel in email?
It is a tiny, invisible image hidden in an email. When your app loads it, it tells the sender you opened the message, often with the time, your device and an approximate location, without you noticing.
How do I stop emails from tracking me?
Turn off automatic loading of remote images in your email app, so trackers cannot fire until you choose to load images. Privacy features like Apple Mail Privacy Protection or tracker-blocking apps hide your opens further.
Can senders tell if I read their email?
Only if your app loads the tracking image. With remote images blocked or a privacy feature enabled, most senders cannot confirm you opened the message or see your location, putting that information back in your control.