Can Internal Communicators Track Email Opens in Gmail?

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

Gmail lacks a native analytics tool, leading to discussions about workarounds for tracking employee email opens.
For serious email analysis and tracking, it’s time to consider a change.

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

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How to Analyze Gmail Email Data

Gmail is an email client with basic email functionality. You can send, receive, organize, and search for emails with Gmail. You can access Gmail through a web browser, mobile app, desktop application, and other email clients using POP3 or IMAP protocols.

Gmail has a major analytics gap

When you want to know exactly how to track employee email opens in Gmail, it can be complicated.
Google’s Gmail has a major analytics gap that highlights the need for more in-depth analytics that Gmail doesn’t offer.

Integrate the right tool with Gmail to track analytics

When you’re searching for ways to track email opens and other metrics in Gmail, like click-through rates (CTRs) and response times, there are several solutions.

It is important, though, to ensure that whatever you choose will integrate seamlessly with Gmail.

What are your options?

Chrome extensions

Designed for tracking key
email metrics including open rates, click-through rates, and response times. They make it easier for users to gauge the effectiveness of their email communications.

Unfortunately, functionality is limited and there are some privacy and security concerns.

Internal comms platforms

Internal communication platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Workplace by Meta offer basic analytics like message views and reactions.

These platforms are designed for internal communication and prioritize transparency and user consent. They are generally well suited to mass communication.

Email Marketing Tools

Email marketing tools designed for targeted or personalized campaigns.

Typical options include Constant Contact and Mailchimp, which require subscription fees and aren’t designed for general internal communication.

Broadcast vs Gmail

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

Limited merge field

Dynamic content customization based on recipient HRIS data

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

… 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.

Analytics and tracking

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.

Track campaign performance

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.