Email tracker blocker for Gmail
Gmail's built-in image proxy masks your IP but still loads tracking pixels, so a sender can still learn that you opened a message. After you opt into mail.google.com, Mailshade uses Chrome's declarativeNetRequest to cancel requests to known tracker-pixel domains before they fire. A local DOM scan detects pixels and supported tracking-link patterns in opened messages; recognized links offer the extracted direct destination or the original URL. Detected tracker occurrences are stored in local IndexedDB and charted by sender. This page covers why Gmail's proxy is not enough and what known-domain blocking plus detection history looks like.
Why Gmail needs a dedicated blocker
Gmail's proxy hides your IP but still fetches the pixel, so the open event fires and the sender records the read. Gmail offers no way to block the tracker itself, only to proxy or disable all images.
What Mailshade does in Gmail
- After opt-in, cancels requests to known tracker-pixel domains via declarativeNetRequest.
- Shows a red-eye overlay naming the tracker domain detected in an opened message.
- Detects supported tracking-link patterns locally and lets you choose direct or original.
- Logs detected tracker occurrences to a per-sender dashboard in IndexedDB.
How it compares in Gmail
Ugly Email flags but does not block; PixelBlock blocks but is closed and offers no reporting. Mailshade blocks known domains at the network layer, is open source under AGPL-3.0, and adds per-sender detection history.
Keep your images
Only known tracker domains are blocked, so images from other domains still load. There is no need to turn off all images in Gmail settings.
FAQ
Doesn't Gmail already block tracking pixels?
No. Gmail proxies remote images to hide your IP, but a tracker pixel can still load. Mailshade cancels requests to known tracker-pixel domains via DNR, so those requests send no open signal.
How is Mailshade different from Ugly Email or PixelBlock in Gmail?
Ugly Email only flags trackers and PixelBlock is closed source with no reporting. Mailshade network-blocks known tracker-pixel domains, is AGPL-3.0, and keeps a local per-sender detection dashboard.
Does it work in the Gmail mobile app?
No. Mailshade is a Chrome MV3 extension for the Gmail web client at mail.google.com. The native mobile app does not support browser extensions.
Will blocking trackers break Gmail images?
Mailshade blocks known tracker domains rather than disabling all images, so images from other domains can continue to load.
How much does the Gmail tracker blocker cost?
Core protection remains free after a 14-day Pro trial. Paid Pro starts at $3.99 per month or $19 one-time for Founders Lifetime, capped at the first 1000 seats.