To track an email, you can use two main approaches: tracing the email's origin via its headers or using email tracking tools to monitor when and how the email is opened.

1. Tracing an Email's Origin via Email Headers

Every email contains hidden metadata called the "email header," which includes routing information and IP addresses. Here's how to track the source of an email:

• Find the Email Header:
  Depending on your email provider, the method varies:

  • In Gmail, open the email, click the down arrow next to "Reply," and select "Show Original."
  • In Yahoo Mail, open the email, click "More," then "View Full Header."
  • Other providers have similar options to view full headers.

• Copy the Header: Select all the header text and copy it.

• Analyze the Header: Paste the copied header into an email header analyzer or trace tool (such as the Trace Email Analyzer on whatismyipaddress.com) to extract the sender's IP address and routing information.

• Interpret the Results: The tool will show the IP address of the sender's mail server, which you can then look up to find the approximate geographic location or ISP information.

Note that some emails may have forged headers, especially spam or malicious emails, which can make tracing unreliable

2. Using Email Tracking Tools to Monitor Email Opens

If you want to track whether your sent email has been opened and how many times, you can use email tracking software or extensions that embed tracking pixels or unique links in your emails:

• Mailtrack for Gmail: A popular Chrome extension that adds tracking to your Gmail messages. It shows one check mark if the email is sent but unopened, and two check marks when opened. It also provides real-time alerts and tracks individual recipients in group emails

• Other Tracking Tools:
  • Mailalert (Chrome extension) tracks email opens and link clicks.
  • HubSpot Sales, MixMax, and other email tracking platforms provide similar features, often with free tiers and paid advanced options

• How It Works: These tools insert invisible tracking pixels or unique URLs in your email. When the recipient opens the email or clicks a link, the tracker reports back to you.

Summary

• To trace where an email came from, extract and analyze the email header to find the sender's IP and routing info.
• To track if and when your sent email is opened, use email tracking tools like Mailtrack or Mailalert that embed trackers in your emails.

Both methods serve different purposes: header tracing helps identify the email's origin, while tracking tools help monitor recipient engagement with your emails