Why I Want Read Receipts in Emails And Why You Probably Should Too

Let’s get one thing straight: most companies already know when you open their emails. It’s called a tracking pixel, and it’s built into nearly every newsletter or customer support response you’ve ever clicked on. Meanwhile, you’re stuck in limbo, staring at your inbox, unsure if your own message has even been opened. That’s not just frustrating — it’s a power imbalance. If we’ve accepted read receipts as normal on messaging apps, isn’t it time we get them for email too?

Sure, some argue it’s invasive, but we’re not asking for a live feed of someone’s Gmail tab. We just want transparency. When you’re emailing a business about a broken product or a refund, you should know whether your message was received — and read. That tiny read checkmark could save hours of anxiety, skipped follow-ups, or missed opportunities. If they’ve seen it, you wait. If not, you act. Simple.

The problem? Email was never designed for this. You’d need third-party tools or premium email marketing software — the same tools companies already use on you. It’s clunky, unreliable, and often raises new privacy issues. But the demand is there. Until inboxes catch up with the rest of our communication platforms, expect the frustration to linger — unread, unseen, and unresolved.
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