Email Click Tracking Explained

Discover how tracking links are generated uniquely for each recipient and how clicks are intercepted, counted, and redirected through proxy servers.

Why Tracking Links?

Unlike web analytics, email systems don't natively support click tracking. Emails are essentially static messages - once sent, there's no built-in way to know if recipients are clicking on links.

To solve this limitation, email service providers like Batch use tracking links that act as a proxy. These special links allow us to:

• Intercept and count each click before redirecting to the destination
• Identify which specific recipient clicked
• Measure engagement metrics that would otherwise be invisible

This is why the links in your marketing emails point to a tracking domain first, before redirecting to the actual destination.

How Click Tracking Work?

Here is a simplified version of the whole click tracking process:

1

Email Sending & Tracking Link Generation

Batch generates unique tracking links to replace all the original links in your email. These tracking links are generated differently for each recipient.

When a recipient receives an email containing links (e.g. link to an article, product page, etc.), all these links have been replaced during the email construction process by tracked links generated specifically for that recipient by Batch.

2

Click Event

The recipient receives the email and clicks a tracked link. That link points to Batch servers, which will:

1. Count a click for that specific recipient
2. Provide the content behind the tracked link to the recipient's browser

This redirection step is almost invisible to the recipient and happens in milliseconds.

3

Link Opened

The recipient is directed to the intended destination page. Batch records this event which will be displayed in the analytics dashboard and exportable events logs.

The entire process is transparent to the user while providing valuable engagement metrics for the sender.

Link tracking can be disabled on demand, as documented here: How to handle link tracking in emails?

Why Using a Custom Tracking Subdomain?

Default Tracking Subdomain

If you haven't configured a custom tracking subdomain during implementation, Batch will use a default tracking subdomain to generate tracking links. While this allows you to start tracking immediately, it should be considered a temporary solution.

Default tracking links look like this:

https://post.eu.spmailtechnol.com/f/a/[random-tracking-ID]

Here is how the click tracking process looks like with Batch's default tracking domain:

All tracking links use HTTPS to ensure encrypted, secure connections when recipients click through from emails.

Why You Need a Custom Tracking Subdomain

We strongly recommend setting up a custom tracking subdomain for three critical reasons:

→ User Experience

Recipients are more likely to trust and click links from your own domain. This is especially important for sensitive communications like:

• Order confirmations & payment receipts
• Password reset emails
• Account notifications

Using unfamiliar domains may cause recipients to hesitate or contact support, concerned about the legitimacy of your emails.

→ Security & Trust

Training your recipients to click on links from unknown domains creates dangerous habits. When users become accustomed to clicking third-party links in your emails, they become more vulnerable to phishing attacks that exploit this behavior.

→ Deliverability Impact

Email providers and security filters evaluate the alignment between your sending domain and the domains used in your email links. Misalignment can:

• Trigger spam filters
• Reduce inbox placement rates
• Damage your sender reputation

How to Setup a Custom Tracking Subdomain

To use your own subdomain for tracking links (such as click.yourdomain.com or track.yourdomain.com), you need to configure a CDN/proxy that:

• Intercepts clicks on your tracking subdomain
• Forwards the requests to Batch servers
• Maintains the tracking functionality while preserving your domain branding

Here is how this would work:

You will find more information on how to setup your click tracking subdomain here: Setting Up a Click Tracking Subdomain