Tracking Pixels

Open tracking sounds simple: drop an invisible pixel into the email and count every time it loads. In reality, where that pixel lives can radically change reported performance. Here is how providers differ and why Bento keeps its tracking pixel in the footer.

Placement matters

Some ESPs inject the pixel at the very top of the HTML, before any other content loads. If the header renders—even for a split second—the open fires. Bento anchors the pixel in the footer so it records only after the entire message loads.

Why it matters: A pixel that sits above the fold can trigger an open even if the reader never scrolls, closes the preview pane, or the email is clipped.

Mobile quirks amplify the problem

iOS mail clients are notorious for loading header content inside push notifications. When the pixel sits in the header, the notification alone can count as an open—no tap required. A footer-based pixel avoids that false signal.

Use opens as a debugging signal

The real value of opens is spotting outliers: a sudden drop usually points to content or rendering issues. Inflated data hides those clues and makes it harder to decide whether a campaign needs attention or a segment needs pruning.

Switching providers? Compare apples to apples

If you are migrating from a platform that places pixels in the header, tell us. We can temporarily toggle Bento’s pixel placement so performance comparisons stay consistent while you transition.

Accurate analytics beats inflated bragging rights every time. Keep an eye on open trends, correlate them with clicks and conversions, and reach out in the Bento Discord if you need help interpreting the data.