I recently started using an email open tracker (snov.io). I wanted to make sure my messages were read and not end up in the spam folder, e.g., 0 message opens = all messages in the spam folder.
It turns out having an open tracker often does more damage than it helps you, especially if those tracking pixels are shared among multiple users.
Gmail (and others) create digital signatures of emails (or part of emails) to check for spam. If your message matches a signature identified as spam, it will be marked as spam as well.
That's where the trouble begins. If other users using the same or similar tracking pixel are spamming, you are inheriting their bad inbox placement.
This morning, I did a quick test, and removing my tracking pixel got me from 100% in the spam folder to 100% in the inbox.
Take it for what you will, but I, for one, will not use a tracking pixel for a while, or at least not from a free tool in the Chrome Store.
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