Are your subscribers missing parts of your emails? That’s likely due to Gmail’s clipping feature. When Gmail clips your email, it not only hides content but also disrupts your tracking, leading to skewed analytics and poor decision-making. This happens frequently, and the good news is that fixing it is straightforward once you understand the issue.
Table of Contents
- What Is Gmail Clipping?
- Why Does Gmail Clipping Happen?
- How to Avoid Email Clipping
- Solution 1: Keep Email Size Under 102KB
- Solution 2: Optimize Images
- Solution 3: Minimize HTML Code
- Solution 4: Limit Tracking Code
- Solution 5: Use Web-Safe Fonts
- Solution 6: Use Inline CSS Sparingly
- Solution 7: Simplify Content
- Solution 8: Avoid Excessive Personalization
- Solution 9: Test Before Sending
- Solution 10: Split Content or Include a “View in Browser” Link
What Is Gmail Clipping?
Take a moment to check your Gmail inbox. You might notice a message at the bottom of some emails indicating that parts have been clipped. This means that significant portions of your content are hidden from view, and many subscribers might not even realize it. Consequently, you’re missing out on crucial data because most open rate pixels—those invisible images that track email opens—are typically located at the bottom of an email. Clipping results in inaccurate analytics and misguided marketing decisions.
Why Does Gmail Clipping Happen?
Gmail has strict limits on email size. If your email exceeds 102KB, it gets clipped. Unfortunately, this limit is quite low for modern email designs. Here are some common reasons why emails become too large:
- Use of HTML5 code by many eCommerce providers, which isn’t responsive across various clients.
- Inclusion of numerous links, images, and formatting styles that inflate the size.
To mitigate this issue, consider using modern coding languages like MJML (Mailjet Markup Language) that help create responsive designs.
How to Avoid Email Clipping
You don’t have to resort to sending plain text emails; visuals are essential for eCommerce brands. Here’s how to keep your emails under the clipping limit:
Solution 1: Keep Email Size Under 102KB
Use tools like Litmus or Chrome DevTools to check your email size before sending. Avoid large images and heavy inline styles.
Solution 2: Optimize Images
Use compressed images to maintain quality while reducing file size. Host images externally instead of embedding them directly.
Solution 3: Minimize HTML Code
Clean up unnecessary tags and comments in your HTML code. Avoid excessive nesting and spacing.
Solution 4: Limit Tracking Code
Consolidate tracking pixels to reduce bloat in your email size.
Solution 5: Use Web-Safe Fonts
Stick to standard fonts to avoid increasing file size with custom fonts.
Solution 6: Use Inline CSS Sparingly
Keep inline CSS efficient; don’t overuse blocks or frames.
Solution 7: Simplify Content
Reduce overall content size; avoid complex designs or large attachments.
Solution 8: Avoid Excessive Personalization
Limit detailed dynamic content as it can add unnecessary size.
Solution 9: Test Before Sending
Use testing tools to preview how Gmail will handle your email and fix any clipping issues beforehand.
Solution 10: Split Content or Include a “View in Browser” Link
If necessary, break up larger emails into smaller ones or add a link for recipients to view the full content online.
Remember, even with these strategies, clipping can still occur. A recent lesson learned: too many links can significantly increase email size due to formatting changes like bolding or color adjustments. By keeping these tips in mind, you can enhance your email campaigns and ensure your subscribers receive all the valuable content you intend for them.