The Bottom Line
Pros
- DidTheyReadIt is very easy to use and convenient, includes an Outlook plug-in
- The receipts generated by DidTheyReadIt include many details
- A small Windows app can automatically add DidTheyReadIt return receipts to all mail you send
Cons
- DidTheyReadIt is not transparent to the recipient
- There is no way to opt out of DidTheyReadIt
- DidTheyReadIt lacks return receipts that work under all circumstances
Description
- DidTheyReadIt lets you know when an email you sent is opened.
- You can send DidTheyReadIt tracked email by adding ".didtheyreadit.com" to the recipient's address.
- A Windows app that automatically does that for you and an Outlook add-on are also available.
- DidTheyReadIt can notify you whenever the message is opened or only the first time.
- You can find out about the recipient's IP and geographic location through DidTheyReadIt.
Guide Review - DidTheyReadIt - Certified Email Service
DidTheyReadIt is a powerful service that lets you know whether your email was received and opened in great detail — in too great detail maybe. Not only do you learn when the message was opened, DidTheyReadIt also tells you the location of the reader, their IP address, which browser or email client they were using and for how long the message was open.
You can either install a handy Outlook add-on, have a small Windows app send all mail through DidTheyReadIt to be tracked automatically (no matter what email program you use) or, and this is just as easy, append ".didtheyreadit.com" to the email address when sending a message.
DidTheyReadIt is certainly a slick service. Unfortunately, it is a bit too slick. DidTheyReadIt works by inserting a images in tracked messages. When such a message is opened by the recipient, the image is downloaded in the background and DidTheyReadIt records all the details the sender gets to see.
Unlike other email return receipt services DidTheyReadIt does make this transparent to the recipient, not even after the fact. Both the image and DidTheyReadIt are invisible to the unsuspecting reader. There is also no way to opt out of having DidTheyReadIt record your email actions. The only way to stop DidTheyReadIt from letting senders know you opened their messages is to prevent your email program from downloading images automatically.
