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Understanding Email Open Timestamps in LeadSimple
Understanding Email Open Timestamps in LeadSimple

Sometimes, you might notice that leads show the same timestamp for when they opened an email, here’s what you need to know.

Chanel Greyling avatar
Written by Chanel Greyling
Updated this week

How LeadSimple Tracks Email Opens

LeadSimple uses a tracking pixel to log when an email is opened. This pixel is a tiny, invisible image embedded in the email. When the recipient (or even the sender) opens the email, the pixel loads, triggering an "email view" event that’s logged in the activity feed with a timestamp.

Why Multiple Emails Might Share the Same Timestamp

It’s not uncommon to see identical timestamps for different leads. Here’s why:

  1. Sender Viewing Emails: If you, as the sender, open emails in your inbox, the tracking pixel can be triggered. If you do this quickly for several emails, they’ll all show the same "opened" timestamp in LeadSimple. Our system currently logs these views without differentiating between sender and recipient, so it’s something to keep in mind.

  2. Email Provider Actions: Sometimes, the recipient’s email provider (like Gmail or Outlook) might automatically load the tracking pixel. This could happen during routine actions such as virus scanning or email previews. When this happens, the system might record the email as "opened" even if the recipient hasn't actually opened it yet. This automatic loading could happen simultaneously for multiple emails, causing identical timestamps.

What This Means for You

While the "opened" timestamp is useful, it's best to view it as an estimate rather than a precise marker of when your email was read. External factors like email provider actions or the sender’s own activity can influence these timestamps.

Email open tracking in LeadSimple is a helpful tool, but it has its limitations. The timestamp reflects when the tracking pixel was loaded, which can sometimes be influenced by factors beyond your control. Understanding this can help you better interpret email engagement data and make more informed decisions.

For more insights on how to make the most of communication tracking in LeadSimple, explore our other articles: Communication Tracking on Pipelines and Processes (Relevant vs. Broad)

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