Question

Email View Recording

Asked by: lawso

Hi All,

I have a client that wants to track when an email has been opened automatically against a Database.

They want to track when the email was opened and then if it has been opened again.

Now I know how to do this using a small image, but are there any other ways?

I will split the points between the first two people to give me a unique solution that works.

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Asked On
2006-08-27 at 17:52:26ID21969153
Topic

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
10

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Answers

 

by: TedInAKPosted on 2006-08-27 at 17:58:57ID: 17401215

That's an unacceptable (to me, at least) invasion of the email recipient's privacy, unless they are clearly and prominently warned they are being tracked.  I'd recommend finding your answer wherever spammer's hangout.

 

by: callrsPosted on 2006-08-27 at 17:59:54ID: 17401219

I don't have an alternate solution, but you may find some useful tips here:
http://www.didtheyreadit.com/           DidTheyReadIt: You Sent It, But Did They Read It?
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2004/0614gearhead.html     How DidTheyReadIt does it

 

by: callrsPosted on 2006-08-27 at 18:04:21ID: 17401236

It has its uses. E.g. I sent out 3 emails to a friend, yet got no reply. So the last one I tracked.
Sites like plentyoffish.com have a feature where you know when your message has been received and opened; if you try it you'll see it's a great benefit and comforter to know that someone has or had not opened your well-worded email. Think of it as "registered" mail...

 

by: TedInAKPosted on 2006-08-27 at 18:10:41ID: 17401250

Registered mail tells the recipient that the sender will know they rec'd it.  If the email does not clearly and prominently warn the recipient that they are being tracked it would be (again, in my opinion) extemely unethical, even in the case of wondering if your friend rec'd your email.

 

by: lawsoPosted on 2006-08-27 at 18:19:35ID: 17401266

Here's the thing TedInAK... I haven't given you any background on the request because this is a technical portal not an opinion portal.

 

by: TedInAKPosted on 2006-08-27 at 18:24:16ID: 17401277

If an Author's question has ethical implications then they should (and most likely will) be pointed out.

Also, in my first post, I wasn't trying to imply that you were a spammer, but if you wanted to get the best advice on how to do what you are trying, a spammer-related website or forum would be the best place to find that information.

 

by: lawsoPosted on 2006-08-27 at 18:33:55ID: 17401296

Point taken

 

by: LeeKowalkowskiPosted on 2006-12-21 at 02:25:12ID: 18179296

Only images.  No other markup that generates HTTP requests (stylesheets, iframes, scripts) is possible in most email clients.

Some email clients also disable images (GMAIL), so your messages could be read without you knowing.  And images only work for HTML email clients anyway.

@TedInAK: As I'm not suggesting new ways for spammers to qualify email addresses.  I saw no harm in answering the question - as the asker is already aware of the image method.

The only real way to know if users have read messages is not to send them any, host their messages on your server and make them come to you.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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