Can Internal Communicators Analyze and Track Email Data in Outlook?

Outlook’s tracking features are limited, lacking integrated email analytics.

  • Internal communicators have resorted to third-party add-ins for email data analysis.
  • Microsoft’s new Outlook in 2024 is phasing out these add-ins, leaving uncertainty about tracking.
  • The web-based nature of the new Outlook further limits functionality.

Discover the comprehensive tracking and analytics of Cerkl Broadcast as an alternative solution.

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How to Analyze Outlook Email Data

Outlook is a popular, widely used email client offering robust features for sending, receiving, organizing, and searching emails. Its accessibility across web browsers, mobile apps, and desktop software makes it convenient for various communication needs.

Limited tracking capabilities

  • Outlook’s tracking capabilities for employee engagement are severely limited.
  • Unlike specialized employee communication platforms, Outlook lacks a built-in dashboard for in-depth analytics.
  • Detailed metrics such as opens, clicks, and response times are not readily available within Outlook’s interface.

Lack of automated features

  • Outlook’s tracking capabilities for employee engagement are severely limited.
  • Unlike specialized employee communication platforms, Outlook lacks a built-in dashboard for in-depth analytics.
  • Detailed metrics such as opens, clicks, and response times are not readily available within Outlook’s interface.

How to Focus on Meaningful Metrics

If you are considering how to analyze Outlook email data effectively, the answer is to use add-ins that enable you to track and monitor whether emails have been delivered and read. There is no doubt that this solution provides deeper insights and enhances email performance. You will, though, need to choose carefully because the Outlook analytics tools that are currently available are not all the same. For example, some customers use VSTO add-ins while others use COM add-ins.
You will also need to be certain that the tracking tool you opt for meets your needs. Important considerations include integration, usability, and the kinds of tracking and analytics features it offers.  

New Outlook missing features

Microsoft is already switching customers to the new Outlook. New devices come with the new Outlook, and Microsoft is actively encouraging those with older devices to start the migration process immediately. The add-ins that these users have been using will be disabled. Anyone opting to continue using the old, classic Outlook can carry on using the add-ins they value, but they won’t be supported and they won’t be able to update them.

Make the Switch to Cerkl Broadcast

For the millions of customers who will be switching to the new Outlook, the question that focuses on how to analyze Outlook email data remains a vital issue.

If you’re serious about tracking meaningful metrics, now’s the time to compare what Outlook offers and what you will gain from switching, not to the new Outlook, but to Cerkl Broadcast.

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Broadcast vs Outlook

Feature
Outlook
Broadcast
Primary Function
Personal email services and office productivity
Mass email communication platform
Target audience
Individual users and teams
Groups, departments, and entire companies
Email creation
Standard text editor with rich formatting
Drag-and-drop builder with pre-designed templates
Personalization
Dynamic content customization based on recipient HRIS data
Limited merge field
Engagement features
Limited interactivity
Polls, surveys, quizzes, and embedded videos
Analytics
Basic open and click-through rates
Detailed reporting on opens, clicks, engagement, and maps that show engagement
Integrations
Primarily Microsoft products
CRM, HRIS, LMS, Payroll, and other business tools
Cost
Free (with ads) + paid premium versions
Paid subscription
Security
Microsoft’s security infrastructure
SOC 2 Type II compliance and additional security features

The combination of scalability, reliability, advanced deliverability tools, global accessibility, and collaboration features make Broadcast’s cloud-based email services the preferred choice for discerning internal communicators.

… and you won’t have to worry about the new Outlook missing features you’ve depended on for so long!

  How to Track Employee Email Opens Using Cerkl Broadcast  

Overall Campaign Performance

Broadcast shows the overall percentage of recipients who opened your email, offering a broad perspective on campaign reach and audience interest.

Click-through rates allow you to track the percentage of recipients who clicked on specific links within your email, providing insights into content engagement and user interest in individual topics.

Vital Engagement Scores

  • Internal communicators require insights into email content engagement to optimize future designs.
  • Broadcast calculates recipient engagement scores using open rates, clicks, and other interactions.
  • These scores identify segments with differing engagement levels, facilitating targeted follow-up communication.

Feedback Mechanisms

  • Broadcast allows embedding surveys or polls directly within emails for immediate feedback from recipients.
  • This gathers quantitative data on employee understanding and sentiment towards communication.
  • Quick insights help gauge employee feelings and the effectiveness of engagement efforts.

Benefits of Cerkl Broadcast

Tailored for internal comms

Broadcast is an employee communication platform designed to help organizations effectively inform and engage their workforce. It goes beyond basic email functionalities.

No individual tracking

Broadcast doesn’t track individual email opens for privacy reasons.

Versatile comms platform

Organizations of all types and sizes can use Broadcast. It offers robust features to help you understand recipient engagement with your internal communication efforts.

Tailored for internal comms

Broadcast’s real-time analytics and tracking tools allow communicators to measure message impact. This enhances the planning process with data-driven insights for adapting and improving communication strategies.

Acknowledgements

Internal communicators can ask readers to acknowledge receipt of emails, which Broadcast then reports on in analytics.

Tailored for internal comms

Broadcast will enable you to determine overall campaign performance and engagement scores. It also enables testing and reporting that provides metrics including not just opens, but also clicks, engagement scores and more.

What can Cerkl Broadcast do for you?

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