Did you know that many of the emails in your inbox contain sneaky tracking pixels? These little bits of code can gather information about your email habits and report back to the sender. Whether you’re dealing with spam, marketing messages, or regular correspondence, these tracking pixels can be blocked with some handy extensions.
One of the simplest and most effective options is PixelBlock. This extension requires no complicated setups—just head to the PixelBlock page in the Chrome Web Store, add it to your browser, and you’re good to go. You’ll notice a small red eye icon whenever PixelBlock identifies and blocks a tracking pixel in your emails.
However, there’s a catch: PixelBlock is only compatible with Gmail and works exclusively on Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Brave. If you’re using something different, don’t worry. Ugly Email is a great alternative for Gmail users. Open-source and with a user base exceeding 50,000, Ugly Email also has a version for Firefox users.
Once installed, Ugly Email functions similarly to PixelBlock. It scans your inbox for tracking pixels and marks any suspicious emails with an eye icon. Hovering over the icon reveals details about the tracker that’s been blocked. Importantly, Ugly Email stores all its data locally in your browser’s IndexDB, ensuring that your information remains private and secure. Still curious? You can always check the source code on GitHub.
If you’re searching for a more universal tracker-blocking solution, consider Trocker. This open-source extension works on Chrome and Firefox, and it aims to protect any webmail service you use. Trocker goes a step further, employing heuristic detection to catch even lesser-known tracking attempts across platforms like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.
Trocker also highlights where tracking pixels are located within emails and adds a distinctive "T" icon to tracked messages. As you hover over tracked links, they’re marked with a special icon, offering you greater visibility. Moreover, a basic settings menu allows users to manage tracker blocking preferences easily.
While uBlock Origin is primarily known as an ad blocker, it also effectively blocks email trackers in various webmail services. It works well out of the box, but to maximize its effectiveness, you might need to adjust some settings, like enabling AdGuard’s Tracking Protection.
Keep in mind that recent changes—like Google’s Manifest V3 update—have affected a number of Chrome extensions. For users facing compatibility issues, uBlock Origin Lite is designed to comply with the latest rules.
Whether you’re focused on a single email account or toggling between multiple, tracking pixels can be persistent. Thankfully, with these extensions at your fingertips, keeping your inbox free from prying eyes has never been easier. Just a few clicks, and you can regain your privacy.
