How to track emails in Gmail
Gmail tracking is enabled via a Chrome extension that adds a tracking pixel to outbound messages and wraps tracked links. Modern extensions use MV3 (Manifest V3) and OAuth 2.0 for Gmail API access; the install takes about 90 seconds end-to-end.
This guide covers Outsolvi (confidence-scored opens + AI signals at $7/mo yearly) as the example, but the install pattern applies broadly to Gmail-side trackers.
Before you start
- Gmail account (personal or Workspace)
- Google Chrome or a Chrome-compatible browser (Edge, Brave, Arc)
- Outsolvi account (free 14-day trial)
Step-by-step
- 1
Open the Chrome Web Store and search Outsolvi
Go to chrome.google.com/webstore and search for Outsolvi. The listing should show 'Verified by Google'.
- 2
Click Add to Chrome
Chrome will prompt to confirm extension permissions. Outsolvi requests Gmail read, send, and modify scopes (needed to insert tracking pixels and wrap links).
- 3
Open Gmail and complete OAuth
Open mail.google.com. The Outsolvi sidebar appears on the right. Click Sign in and complete the Google OAuth grant for your Gmail account.
- 4
Toggle tracking on per send
Open a new Compose window. The Outsolvi sidebar shows a tracking toggle. Enable it, send the email, and the open + click events will fire to your dashboard.
- 5
Verify in the dashboard
Open outsolvi.com/dashboard and verify your test send appears with tracking metadata. Tier 1-5 confidence scores populate within seconds of each open event.
Set up tracking in 2 minutes instead of 20.
Outsolvi installs as a native Outlook add-in or Gmail Chrome extension. Confidence-scored opens, AI follow-up alerts, native Outlook and Gmail tracking. From $7/mo, 14-day free trial.
Troubleshooting
Extension says 'OAuth grant required' on every send
Re-grant the Gmail OAuth permissions. The Outsolvi sidebar shows a 'Re-authorize' button when the OAuth token expires.
Tracking pixel blocked by recipient
Some recipients use pixel-blocking extensions (Trocker, PixelBlock, Ugly Mail). The confidence model accounts for this by recording non-fire as a low-confidence signal rather than treating it as a Tier 1 open.
Sidebar not appearing in Gmail
Refresh Gmail or restart Chrome. If still missing, the extension may need to be re-installed. Workspace admin policies can block sidebar UI for some accounts.
Frequently asked
Does Outsolvi work on Gmail Workspace?
Yes. The OAuth grant works for personal Gmail and Workspace accounts. Some Workspace admin policies require admin approval for new extensions; if so, forward the Outsolvi listing to your admin.
Will my recipients see I'm tracking?
No branded footer is added. The tracking pixel itself is invisible. Recipients using pixel-detection extensions can see the pixel domain but no UX indicator.
Can I disable tracking on specific sends?
Yes. Per-send toggle. Use for legal, privacy-sensitive, or detected-blocker recipients.
More on email tracking
Glossary terms, comparisons, and feature deep-dives related to this guide.
Nate built Outsolvi after watching every email-tracking tool he had ever used lie to him about opens. Outsolvi runs Tier 1 to 5 confidence scoring on every open, native in Outlook and Gmail, so the number on the dashboard is one a rep can actually act on.
We update these pages when the underlying mechanics change. new mailbox-provider rules, new tracker behavior, new measurement gaps. The dates above are real revisions, not auto-touches.