Three ways at a glance
| Method | Where it works | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Read receipt | Gmail in Google Workspace, Outlook on the desktop and Microsoft 365 | The recipient may not send a receipt. Personal Gmail does not have this feature. |
| Tracking image | Any mailbox, through a tracking tool | Apple Mail, Gmail’s proxy and scanners load the image without reading the email. |
| Tracked link | Any mailbox | Security scanners click links. You need an assessment of who clicked. |
How to request a read receipt in Gmail
Check your account type
The feature works in Google Workspace work and school accounts, if the administrator has turned it on. Personal Gmail does not have it.
Write your message
In the new message window, open the “More options” menu (three dots).
Request a receipt
Select “Request read receipt” and send the message.
How to request a read receipt in Outlook
Open a new message
In the Outlook desktop app, create a new email.
Turn on the receipt
On the “Options” tab, select “Request a Read Receipt”.
Send
You only get a receipt if the recipient agrees to send it.
Open tracking with a tracking image
Tracking tools add an invisible image to the message. When it loads, you see an “open”. The catch: Apple Mail Privacy Protection, Gmail’s proxy and security filters load images too.
HawkOpen adds the image only for recipients who agreed to tracking and shows which rule identified each event. Read more in email tracking and how we classify opens.
What about attachments?
Neither Gmail nor Outlook shows whether someone opened an attachment. If it matters, send the document as a link. We explain how in PDF tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Does personal Gmail have read receipts?
No. Gmail offers read receipts only for Google Workspace accounts. In personal Gmail you can use a tracking tool, keeping its limits in mind.
Can the recipient see a read receipt request?
Yes. The email app usually asks whether to send a receipt, and the recipient can decline.
Does “opened” in a tracker mean someone read it?
Not always. Apple Mail, a Gmail server or a security scanner may have loaded the image. That is why HawkOpen shows the category and the reason for every assessment.