To monitor email opens, we use a 1x1 pixel image embedded within the email domain. When the recipient opens the email, this hidden image is loaded, allowing us to record the read action

To keep tabs on link clicks, we replace all the original links with our own. When a user clicks on a link, we detect the action and then redirect the user to the intended destination. This allows us to record the click while ensuring a seamless user experience.

One common source of "ghost" clicks and reads is the vigilant work of email filters and anti-spam systems. These systems, designed to keep your inbox safe, often download emails to inspect their content, especially when tracking multiple clicks is involved. This can result in automatic crediting for clicks, even when a human recipient hasn't actually clicked on a link. So, when you see additional clicks in your email stats, they may be the handiwork of these protective systems

Another intriguing source of "ghost" activity lies within the behaviour of email clients. Email clients sometimes render emails in the background, quietly loading images and links to make them available for offline viewing. Here's the twist: it might not be the recipient who's downloading the email (because they're not actively opening it), but rather the sender's email client – that's you or your user – that's responsible for this background downloading. As a result, these actions can be mistakenly recorded as clicks and reads