How to know if your email was read in Gmail

This is the practical version of a Gmail read receipt workflow. Use it when you want a fast answer about whether a message was opened and when to follow up next.

1. Install the add-on

Install GetMailReceipt from the Google Workspace Marketplace.

2. Compose your email

Open Gmail and write your message as usual. You do not need a separate compose window or external sales tool.

3. Click Add receipt tracker for this mail

Enable tracking for the email before sending it.

4. Send and monitor opens

Check Recent Mail Tracking to see open activity and use that signal for your next step.

Example follow-up timing

Sales example

You send a proposal, see it was opened twice later the same day, and decide to send a short "happy to answer questions" follow-up the next morning.

Recruiting example

You see a candidate opened your email in the afternoon, so you wait until the next day before sending a check-in instead of following up immediately.