How to get read receipts and track emails in Outlook
Outlook's built-in read receipt only works when the recipient's mail server supports it. This guide uses the free version of the Boomerang add-in to get an email when a message is opened, with open counts in a dashboard.
By Nur Islam- 3:12 video
- 5 steps
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When you send a quote, invoice or proposal, you want to know whether it was opened before you follow up. Outlook's own read receipt is often ignored by other mail servers, so you never hear back either way.
Outlook has a built-in Request a Read Receipt option, but it does not work with every recipient's mail server. The video uses the Boomerang add-in instead, which works with any recipient, including Gmail.
Boomerang adds a short line to your email telling the recipient that a read receipt was requested, with a link to opt out. When the email is opened, Boomerang emails you, and its dashboard shows how many times and when.
What you need
- Outlook for Windows or Outlook on the web
- Permission to install add-ins in Outlook
- A Microsoft account to sign in to Boomerang
Step by step
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01
Know the limits of the built-in receipt
In a new email, Outlook has built-in delivery and read receipt options. They depend on the recipient's mail server, so for many outside recipients you never get a receipt. That is why the video uses an add-in.
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02
Add Boomerang to Outlook
In a new email window, click All apps, then Add apps. Search for
Boomerang, open it and add it to Outlook.The free version is enough for read receipts. Close the new email window and open a new one so the Boomerang buttons appear on the Message tab.
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03
Turn on the read receipt for an email
Write your email and add the recipient. On the Message tab, Boomerang shows options such as Read Receipt, Remind Me, Send Later and Schedule Meeting. Click Read Receipt.
The first time, sign in with your Microsoft account. Boomerang then adds a line to the email: the sender has requested a read receipt, with a link the recipient can click to decline. Send the email.
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04
Check the notification
When the recipient opens the email, you get a message from Boomerang with a subject like "Your tracked message ... was recently opened", showing who opened it.
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05
See details in the dashboard
Click Manage message in the notification to open the Boomerang for Outlook dashboard. Select Tracked Messages to see every tracked email, who it went to and whether it was read. Click Details to see how many times it was opened, the first open time and, if opened more than once, the last open time.
Tips and common problems
- After installing Boomerang, close and reopen the new email window. The buttons do not appear in a window that was already open.
- Recipients see a line saying you requested a read receipt, with an opt-out link. If they click it, Boomerang stops sending you receipts for that person.
- Outlook's built-in read receipt is free and needs no add-in, but it only works when the recipient's mail server honors it. Many outside servers do not.
More Outlook tips
Questions
Why don't I get read receipts in Outlook?
Outlook's built-in read receipt depends on the recipient's mail server and email app. Many servers, including most outside your organization, ignore the request or let the recipient decline it.
Is there a free way to track if an email was opened in Outlook?
Yes. In the video, the free version of the Boomerang add-in sends you an email when a tracked message is opened and shows open counts in its dashboard.
Can the recipient stop read receipts?
Yes. Boomerang adds an opt-out link to each tracked email. If the recipient clicks it, they are no longer tracked.
