How to Set an Email Tracking Pixel

Setting a traking pixel is a simple task.

If you run email campaigns, information on how many email messages were read and how many readers followed your links is vital. There are complex software packages that offer solutions, but the easiest way to track your emails is by using an email tracking pixel. All you need to do after deploying tracking pixels is use your website's logs and reports to see the results. Tracking pixels work on virtually any email system.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop, any version

Instructions

1. Open Adobe Photoshop, go to "File," and select "New" to create a new image. Enter "1" in both the "Width" and "Height" boxes. Make sure the width and height are measured in pixels. Select "Transparent" from the Background Contents drop-down menu. Click "OK" to create the image.

2. Go to "File," and select "Export for Web" to save your image. Select "GIF" as the file type, and tick the "Transparency" option. Enter a name for the image, and click "Save" to export the image as a transparent GIF.

3. Upload the image file to your website.

4. Compose the email, and insert the full URL to the GIF image at the end. This will display the transparent image.

5. Send the email message, and check your website's logs and stats to see how many people downloaded the image. Each time a user opens your email, he or she downloads the image without being aware of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the purpose, setting an email tracking pixel may violate the recipient's privacy rights and could incur severe penalties. Make sure you understand and comply with local and federal laws before employing email tracking systems of any kind.

References

• SendBlaster: E-mail Tracking Made Easy
• Media College: How to Create a Transparent Background in Photoshop