Can ISPs track positive engagement from interactive emails without outbound clicks?

Email marketer from HubSpot Blog shares that email clients and ISPs can track engagement through open rates, read time, and interactions within the email itself (e.g., expanding sections, watching videos) to determine if an email is valuable to the recipient, even if they don't click on a link.

Email marketer from Neil Patel's Blog explains that ISPs can track user behavior within emails using techniques like pixel tracking and engagement metrics (time spent reading, scrolling, etc.) even without explicit link clicks. This data helps ISPs gauge user interest and filter spam more effectively.

Email marketer from Reddit explains that ISPs can definitely track engagement beyond clicks. Things like time spent reading, whether an email is forwarded, or even if someone hovers over certain elements can all be indicators of interest, even without a click.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that generally speaking, ISPs should be able to determine positive engagement from interactive emails, as they usually have enough JS running in their webmail code to detect things like scrolling and read time.

Email marketer from Email on Acid shares indicators ISPs will use, they include, opening, reading or deleting an email, adding the sender to the address book, moving a message from the junk folder to the inbox and clicking on links in the email.

Email marketer from Mailchimp Resource Guides explains that ISPs analyze engagement metrics such as time spent reading the email, interactions with interactive elements, and forwarding/saving actions to gauge the email's relevance and user interest, which can influence deliverability and inbox placement, independent of click-through rates.

Email marketer from StackExchange details that it's possible for ISPs to use Javascript or web beacons to track actions inside an email, such as form submissions within the email client or video plays. This can all be tracked without a user ever leaving the email.

Email marketer from Litmus Blog shares that while click-through rates are a standard metric, ISPs and email clients are increasingly looking at broader engagement signals. These include time in inbox, whether an email is printed or saved, and interactions with dynamic elements within the email itself.

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor shares that engagement metrics such as forwards, replies, and time spent viewing an email can be indicators of positive engagement. ISPs will analyse engagement to determine deliverability rates.

Expert from Email Geeks shares that Google has a patent on tracing mouse movements and assumes some of that tech is used in the Gmail interface.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that ISPs and mailbox providers consider many engagement metrics beyond clicks, including time spent reading the email, whether it's marked as important, or if it's moved into a folder. These signals contribute to a sender's reputation and deliverability.

Expert from Email Geeks explains that the ability to track activity only applies to webmail or tightly bundled mobile apps and that if a mail box provider has enough access to sniff outgoing clicks, they have enough access to watch everything.

Documentation from RFC 6541 explains that ISPs and email clients analyze email headers for authentication information (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and sender reputation to determine the legitimacy and trustworthiness of an email. Positive reputation and proper authentication can improve deliverability, even without high click-through rates.

Documentation from IETF explains that DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) reporting gives senders insights into how their emails are being handled. ISPs provide aggregate reports on authentication results and disposition (delivered, junked, etc.), helping senders understand deliverability without relying solely on click data.

Documentation from Microsoft Sender Support shares that Microsoft monitors sender reputation based on factors like spam complaints, blocklist status, and user engagement (e.g., marking as 'not junk'). Positive sender reputation improves deliverability, even if click rates are not high, as it indicates that users find the emails valuable.

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that Google tracks spam complaints, sender reputation, and authentication status to evaluate email senders. Low spam complaint rates and proper authentication practices can positively influence inbox placement, even if recipients do not frequently click on links in the emails.