Tracking whether your emails have been opened can be incredibly useful, especially for important or time-sensitive messages. While most email services don't offer this feature by default, the 'Email Tracker' Chrome extension provides an easy and free solution to monitor your sent emails.

By installing this extension, you can start tracking your emails sent through Gmail in Chrome, receiving updates until you choose to uninstall the extension.

Using Email Tracker Extension

The Email Tracker is available as a Chrome extension, and you'll need to install it to begin tracking your emails.

Head over to the Chrome Web Store and search for 'Email Tracker'. Alternatively, you can use this direct link to access the extension's page.

Step 1: On the extension page, click the 'Add to Chrome' button to install it in your browser.

Step 2: A confirmation dialog will pop up. Click 'Add extension' to proceed with the installation.

After installation, the Email Tracker icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar.

Step 3: Open Gmail in your Chrome browser and compose a new email to test the tracking feature. You can send it to a friend or another of your email accounts.

Once you've sent the email, navigate to your Sent folder. You'll notice a small black dot next to the email you just sent.

Step 4: When the recipient opens your email, the black dot will change to a check mark (✔), indicating the email has been read.

Hovering over the check mark will provide details such as how many times the email was opened and the timestamps of each opening.

Upgrading to the pro version of the extension unlocks additional information, including the IP address from which the email was opened, geolocation data, and the device used.

The extension also offers a comprehensive report of your sent emails and their statuses. To access this report, click on the 'Email Tracker' icon in the Chrome toolbar.

Sending Emails Without Tracking

There may be occasions when you prefer not to track an email. Email Tracker allows you to choose whether or not to track each email you send.

Step 1: To send an email without tracking, compose your message in Gmail as you normally would.

Step 2: Instead of clicking the standard 'Send' button, click the 'Send Untracked' button located next to it.

A confirmation prompt will appear. Click 'Ok' to confirm that you want to send the email without tracking.

Your email will be sent without being tracked. In your Sent folder, you'll notice the absence of the black dot next to untracked emails.

Enabling Desktop Notifications

To receive alerts when your emails are opened, you can enable desktop notifications in the extension's settings.

Step 1: Click the 'Email Tracker' icon in the Chrome toolbar to access the extension's options.

Step 2: You'll see that notifications are disabled by default.

Step 3: Toggle the switch next to 'NOTIFICATIONS' to enable desktop notifications.

Keep in mind that Email Tracker functions as a Chrome extension, so it only works on desktop computers using the Chrome browser. Emails must be sent through the Gmail website in Chrome to be tracked. Tracking and notifications are available only within the browser and won't function on the Gmail mobile app.