How to Stop Email Tracking (Block Tracking Pixels)
To stop email tracking, block images from loading automatically in your email app, since tracking pixels are images. In Gmail, go to Settings and choose “Ask before displaying external images.” On Apple Mail, turn on Mail Privacy Protection. You can also use a pixel-blocking browser extension to strip trackers before they load.
- Tracking pixels are invisible images, so blocking auto-loaded images stops most tracking.
- In Gmail, switch to “Ask before displaying external images” to block pixels.
- Apple Mail Privacy Protection and pixel blockers add stronger protection.
- Blocking images can hide legitimate content, so it is a trade-off.
Every day, a surprising share of the email you receive is watching you. Marketers, salespeople, and even individuals use tracking pixels to see the moment you open a message, how many times, and roughly where you are. If that bothers you, the good news is that stopping most email tracking takes only a few settings. Here is exactly how.
How email tracking finds you in the first place
Almost all email tracking relies on a tracking pixel: a tiny, invisible image hidden in the message. When your email app loads that image to display it, the request tells the sender you opened the email. That single mechanism is behind nearly every open-tracking tool. We break it down fully in How does email tracking work?. The key insight for stopping it: no image load, no tracking.
Stop email tracking in Gmail
Gmail loads images automatically by default, which lets pixels fire. You can change that:
Click the gear icon in the top right, then “See all settings.”
On the General tab, scroll to “Images.”
Select this option instead of “Always display external images.”
Scroll to the bottom and click “Save Changes.” Now images, including tracking pixels, load only when you choose.
With this on, tracked emails will not report an open unless you tap to load the images. The trade-off is that legitimate images, like logos and product photos, also stay hidden until you allow them.
Stop email tracking on Apple Mail (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
Apple Mail has a built-in feature called Mail Privacy Protection that hides your activity from senders. Ironically, it works by loading every image through Apple's servers, which means senders see a fake open for everyone, so they cannot tell a real open from a machine. To enable it on iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, Mail, Privacy Protection, and turn on “Protect Mail Activity.” On a Mac, open Mail, Settings, Privacy, and check the same box.
Stop email tracking in Outlook
Outlook also blocks external images in some configurations, but you can make it explicit. In the Outlook desktop app, go to File, Options, Trust Center, Trust Center Settings, then Automatic Download, and make sure “Don't download pictures automatically” is checked. In Outlook on the web, the setting lives under Settings, Mail, and image handling. As with Gmail, blocking images stops pixels but hides real images too.
Use a pixel-blocking extension
If you would rather keep images on but still strip trackers, a dedicated pixel-blocking browser extension can detect and remove known tracking pixels before they load, and often tells you who tried to track you. These tools are convenient because you keep normal images while blocking the invisible ones. Choose a reputable one, since an email extension has access to your messages.
How to tell if an email is tracking you
You usually cannot see a tracking pixel, but there are hints. If an email is from a marketing tool or a salesperson, assume it is tracked. Some trackers reveal themselves with a visible footer like “Sent with...”. And a pixel-blocking extension will flag tracked messages directly. When in doubt, keeping images off by default is the simplest protection.
A note from us: MailViewed is an email tracker, and we still think you should be able to protect your own privacy. Tracking is a normal part of email, but it should be respectful. That is why we store the minimum, add no footer, and label bots honestly instead of faking human opens.
The short version
Tracking pixels are just images, so blocking auto-loaded images stops most email tracking. Set Gmail to ask before showing images, turn on Apple Mail Privacy Protection, or add a pixel blocker. If you are on the other side and want to know when your own emails are read, see How to track emails in Gmail.
Frequently asked questions
Block images from loading automatically, since tracking pixels are images. In Gmail, choose “Ask before displaying external images” in Settings. On Apple Mail, turn on Mail Privacy Protection. A pixel-blocking extension can also strip trackers automatically.
Yes, for the large majority of trackers. Tracking pixels are invisible images, so if images do not load, the pixel never fires and the sender does not see an open. The downside is that real images stay hidden until you allow them.
Mail Privacy Protection loads all images through Apple's servers, so senders get a fake open for everyone and cannot tell whether you actually read the email. It protects your real activity effectively.
You usually cannot see it, but marketing and sales emails are almost always tracked. Some tools reveal tracking with a visible footer. A pixel-blocking browser extension can detect and flag tracked emails for you.
Free forever on the essentials. No footer, no bots counted as reads.
Sarmad Nadeem is the founder of MailViewed. He built it after years of watching email trackers inflate open counts and stamp footers on people's messages, and set out to make one that is free, silent, and honest about which opens are real.
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