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:
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.
Click Event
The recipient receives the email and clicks a tracked link. That link points to Batch servers, which will:
Count a click for that specific recipient
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.
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:
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
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