Outlook - Request a read receipt or confirmation of delivery Tutorial

In this video, you will learn how to request a read receipt or confirmation of delivery for your emails.
The video explains the difference between a delivery confirmation and a read receipt.
It also shows you how to enable these features in Outlook and track the status of your sent messages.
Requesting a read receipt or confirmation of delivery can help you ensure that your important messages have been received and read.

2:18
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Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This document aims to clarify the differences between read receipts and delivery confirmations in email communication, as well as provide guidance on how to enable these features in Outlook. It also discusses best practices for tracking important messages and understanding the limitations of these notifications.

Chapitres :

Understanding Delivery Confirmations and Read Receipts
Delivery confirmations and read receipts serve different purposes in email communication. A delivery confirmation acknowledges that your email has been delivered to the recipient's inbox, but it does not indicate whether the message has been read. In contrast, a read receipt confirms that the recipient has opened and read your message.
Enabling Delivery Confirmations in Outlook
To enable delivery confirmations for all sent messages in Outlook, follow these steps: 1. Open Outlook and go to the 'File' tab. 2. Select 'Options' and then click on 'Mail'. 3. In the 'Tracking' section, check the box for 'Delivery receipt confirming the message was delivered to the recipient's email server' or 'Read receipt confirming the recipient's message'. It is advisable to track only important messages rather than all messages, as frequent requests for confirmations may lead to recipients ignoring them.
Requesting Receipts for Individual Messages
If you want to request receipts for a specific message, you can do so when composing the email: 1. In the message window, navigate to the 'Options' tab on the ribbon. 2. Check the boxes for 'Request a Delivery Receipt' and 'Request a Read Receipt'. You will receive notifications in your mailbox once the recipient acknowledges the message.
Tracking Receipt Acknowledgements
To track delivery receipts, you can open the original message in your 'Sent Items' folder. Follow these steps: 1. Open the sent message. 2. In the 'Message' tab, select the 'Tracking' option. Note that this option will only be available after at least one acknowledgment has been received. For read confirmations, similar timing applies; you may receive a confirmation message indicating when the email was read.
Understanding Limitations of Receipts
It is important to note that not receiving a confirmation does not necessarily mean that the message was not delivered, opened, or read. Several factors could explain this: - The recipient may choose not to confirm receipt or reading of the message. - The recipient's mail server may filter out emails, preventing the sending of confirmations.

FAQ :

What is the difference between a read receipt and a delivery confirmation?

A delivery confirmation indicates that your email has been delivered to the recipient's inbox, while a read receipt confirms that the recipient has opened and read the message.

How can I request a read receipt in Outlook?

To request a read receipt in Outlook, create your email, go to the Options tab in the ribbon, and check the 'Request a Read Receipt' box before sending.

Can I track all my sent messages in Outlook?

While you can set Outlook to track delivery receipts for all sent messages, it is recommended to only track important messages to avoid overwhelming recipients with confirmation requests.

What should I do if I don't receive a read receipt?

Not receiving a read receipt does not necessarily mean the message was not delivered or read. The recipient may have chosen not to send a confirmation, or their mail server may filter out such notifications.

How do I check the tracking status of my sent emails?

To check the tracking status, open the original message in your Sent Items, and select the Tracking option in the Message tab. This will show you any acknowledgments received.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Email Communication in Corporate Settings

In a corporate environment, using read receipts can help ensure that important emails, such as project updates or critical announcements, are acknowledged by recipients, enhancing communication efficiency.

Client Follow-ups

When sending proposals or contracts to clients, requesting read receipts can provide assurance that the documents have been reviewed, allowing for timely follow-ups and discussions.

Team Collaboration

In team projects, tracking delivery confirmations for emails containing updates or tasks can help project managers ensure that all team members are informed and accountable for their responsibilities.

Managing Important Notifications

For important notifications, such as policy changes or compliance updates, using delivery confirmations can help organizations verify that all employees have received critical information.

Handling Client Feedback

When soliciting feedback from clients, using read receipts can help gauge engagement and prompt timely responses, ensuring that client concerns are addressed promptly.

Glossaire :

Read Receipt

A notification sent to the sender of an email indicating that the recipient has opened and read the message.

Delivery Confirmation

A notification that confirms the email has been successfully delivered to the recipient's inbox, but does not indicate whether the message has been read.

Outlook

A personal information manager from Microsoft, primarily used as an email application, which includes features for managing emails, calendars, tasks, and contacts.

Tracking Section

A part of the Outlook options where users can select preferences for receiving delivery and read receipts for sent emails.

Acknowledgement of Receipt

A confirmation that the recipient has received the email, which can be either a delivery confirmation or a read receipt.

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a read receipt or a delivery confirmation?

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The delivery confirmation acknowledges delivery

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of your email in a recipient's inbox,

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but does not inform you of the reading

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or view of the message.

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It is a reading confirmation that reassures you

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that your message has been read.

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First thing, if you want to forward all your sent messages

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you can ask Outlook in the file tab,

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then options + mail.

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Under the tracking section select the

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delivery receipt confirming the message

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was delivered to the recipient's email server checkbox,

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or the receipt confirming the recipient's message checkbox.

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However, it is recommended that you

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only track important messages, not all messages.

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Recipients occasionally receiving a confirmation

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of read back are more likely to send the confirmation

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than if they are invited for each of your messages.

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If you want to forward only one of your messages,

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when you create it, the request a receipt

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and request a read receipt boxes

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are available on the options tab of your ribbon.

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You will then receive the notifications in your mailbox.

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To track the delivery receipts you can also open

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the original message containing an acknowledgement

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of receipt or read receipt in your sent items.

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In the message tab select tracking.

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Note that the tracking option will not be available

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until at least one acknowledgement has been received.

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After receiving the first charge in your inbox

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the tracking button may only be available

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after a few minutes.

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For read confirmations the same will apply.

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You will receive a confirmation message

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on the date or time of reading or when it

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must have been read.

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If, however, you do not receive a confirmation

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it does not necessarily mean that the message

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has not been delivered, opened or read.

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A series of possibilities can explain this.

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The first one may simply mean that the person

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did not want to confirm receipt or reading of the message.

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It is also possible that the mail server

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used by this person filters out the mails,

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preventing the sending of these confirmations.

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