How to use the Read Receipts by Boomerang Gmail add-on

In the Google Workspace Marketplace, we're able to offer a lightweight version of our Read Receipt (open tracking) feature. If you'd like the full, more efficient version with click tracking, please install our web browser extension and Boomerang mobile app to get started.

This article only pertains to the limited Read Receipts Gmail Add-On. For help with the web browser extension version, please see this page or reach out to support@baydin.com.

In this article:

How to use and track Read Receipts (Open Tracking)
How to view the results of Tracked Messages
Read Receipt FAQs

How to use and track Read Receipts with the Google Marketplace Add-In

After composing a new email or reply, click the Add Read Receipt Icon (blue checkmark envelope) in the toolbar at the bottom of your email. (It may be buried in the Kebab Icon if you're not seeing it immediately.) On the Gmail for iOS mobile app, tap the Ellipsis Icon and then Insert from Read Receipts.

Select the Insert Read Receipt button.

A read receipt image will be inserted at the bottom of your message. DO NOT DELETE this image. When you are ready, send your email. When your recipient opens the message (and if they do not opt out), you'll receive an email notification from Boomerang.

How to view the results of Tracked Messages

You can review additional results of tracked messages by repeating Step 1 and selecting View Tracked Messages:

Read Receipt FAQs

How do I get click tracking, track messages faster, etc.?

Gmail Add-Ons provide a limited set of functionality in exchange for being lightweight. For a more powerful read receipt feature with click tracking, please install our web browser extension and Boomerang mobile app to get started.

How reliable are Read Receipts?

Boomerang Read Receipts are generally reliable, but we don't recommend that you rely on them as a guarantee. Read Receipts are an indication that the email was likely read. Generally they work across different email clients and systems, but occasionally you may not receive a notification even if an email was read. And with our opt-out feature, the recipient may choose not to send the receipt.

What if I send an email to lots of people, can I tell who opened/read it?

Regrettably, no. There are some technical limitations to what data we can even retrieve and the email address of the person who opens the email is one of those elusive pieces of data that is not available. If you need to know which recipient opened your email, you'll need to send individual emails.

I know the recipient opened my email. Why didn't I get a Read Receipt?

If you're sure your recipient opened your email, but you didn't receive a notification that it was opened, there are a few likely scenarios:

There is a short delay between the time someone opens an email and when Boomerang sends the notification, to allow time for them to opt out if they choose.
The recipient has chosen to opt out of giving a Read Receipt.
The recipient's mail client has disabled the automatic loading of images, so Boomerang is unable to determine if the message was opened.

If I open this email in my Sent Mail, will it trigger a read receipt?

Yes, if you are using the Gmail Add-On version of Read Receipts, and you open an email yourself, it will count as the email being read. To prevent, this please install our web browser extension.

The number of opens seems too high. What could have caused this?

If the number is extremely high (e.g in the hundreds or thousands), it's most likely because the recipient's mailbox has software installed that scans emails, which can drive up the count. Boomerang is not able to distinguish between automated processes and human views.

What data is given to the sender if I opt-out of providing a Read Receipt?

None. It's really that simple! If you choose not to provide a receipt, we respect your privacy and no data is provided to the sender, to them it just looks like you never opened the message.