---
title: "Frequently asked questions about the tracking pixel"
description: "This FAQ answers the questions most frequently asked of our support team."
url: https://help.sarbacane.com/en/articles/427-frequently-asked-questions-about-the-tracking-pixel
collection: "Pixel de tracking"
updated: 2026-11-05
language: en
alternates: [fr, es]
---

# Frequently asked questions about the tracking pixel

This FAQ answers the questions most frequently asked of our support team.

## How do I apply the CNIL recommendation in Sarbacane?

Sarbacane already takes care of most of it for you: the pixel is only inserted for contacts who have given their consent (who are marked as “active” in your address book), and the tracking opt-out link is automatically added when you create new campaigns or templates. You only have 3 things to do:

1.  **Check your tracking preferences** in _Settings > Campaigns > Pixel tracking preferences_ (standard page or redirect to your own page). This setting applies to the entire account. [View the article](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/402-comment-configurer-les-preferences-de-suivi-de-vos-campagnes-dans-sarbacane.md)
    
2.  **Update your contacts' consent** that you can prove: by importing it, from the address book, or by requesting it via a campaign or form.
    
3.  **Add an unchecked-by-default checkbox to your signup forms** for new contacts, and keep proof of consent.
    

To learn more: [Email tracking pixels: what you need to know and do](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/414-pixels-de-suivi-email-ce-que-vous-devez-savoir-et-faire.md).

## Does Sarbacane automatically remove the pixel when a contact is inactive? Do I need to duplicate my campaigns?

Yes, it's automatic, and you don't have **to duplicate anything**. When you send, Sarbacane inserts the pixel only for “Active” contacts. “Inactive” contacts receive the same email, without a pixel.

-   **Active contact** : their opens are tracked.
    
-   **Inactive contact** : their opens are not tracked.
    

So, one campaign is all you need for all your contacts. [See the article](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/409-mon-taux-d-ouverture-est-a-0-depuis-la-mise-a-jour-du-pixel-cnil-que-se-passe-t-il.md)

## Do my contacts receive the communication if they are inactive?

Yes. Whether they are active or inactive, they receive your campaigns. The Active / Inactive status only affects open tracking, not sending.

-   **Active** : the contact receives the email, and their open is tracked.
    
-   **Inactive** : the contact receives the same email, but their open is not tracked.
    

Only contacts who have **unsubscribed from your emails** will no longer receive your campaigns, just as before the update.

## Will we receive the link to watch the webinar again?

The replay of the September 25, 2026 webinar, “Tracking Pixels and the CNIL Recommendation,” is available at any time: [watch the replay](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/412-replay-du-webinaire-pixels-de-suivi-et-recommandation-de-la-cnil.md). It covers the CNIL recommendation, its impact on your statistics, the changes to your campaigns, and Sarbacane tools.

## Does the pixel opt-out link lead to a specific list?

No. This link, automatically added to the footer just after the unsubscribe link, leads to a secure page where the contact opts out only of having their opens tracked. They **remain subscribed** and continue to receive your emails; they are not added to any unsubscribe list. Their consent simply changes to “Inactive.”

These opt-outs are tracked separately in the statistics, through the pixel opt-out rate. [Pixel unsubscribe link](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/408-lien-de-desabonnement-au-pixel-de-suivi-pourquoi-apparait-il-comment-l-activer.md) · [Analyze the pixel opt-out rate](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/405-comment-analyser-le-taux-de-desinscription-au-pixel-dans-sarbacane.md).

## What is the difference between “unsubscribed from email” and “unsubscribed from pixel tracking”?

The first no longer wants to receive your emails; the second still receives them but does not want their opens to be measured.

Unsubscribed from email Unsubscribed from pixel

<table style="min-width: 75px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Still receives your emails</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>No</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Yes</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Measured opens</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>—</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>No</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Link used</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Unsubscribe link</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Tracking opt-out link</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Status in Sarbacane</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Unsubscribed</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Consent “Inactive”</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Statistic</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Unsubscribe rate</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Pixel unsubscribe rate</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

## How to collect consent?

Four methods, depending on what you already know about your contacts. In all cases, only set a contact to “Active” if you can **prove** their consent.

Method When to use it How to do it

<table style="min-width: 75px;"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"><col style="min-width: 25px;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="linktype-link link" data-linktype="link" href="https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/404-comment-importer-le-consentement-au-pixel-de-suivi-dans-sarbacane.md">Import CSV</a></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>You already have the consent (CRM, file)</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>In Contacts, start an import, choose the “complete” option, and map your column to the “email tracking pixel consent” field. Values: yes / true / 1 / True or no / false / 0 / False.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="linktype-link link" data-linktype="link" href="https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/411-comment-recueillir-le-consentement-au-pixel-de-suivi-depuis-une-campagne-dans-sarbacane.md">Button in a campaign</a></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>You want to ask your contacts for consent</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>In the editor, insert a button of the type “Go to tracking pixel preferences management.” The contact answers yes or no; their status is updated immediately. The pixel must be in “standard” mode.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="linktype-link link" data-linktype="link" href="https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/410-comment-recueillir-le-consentement-au-pixel-via-un-formulaire-dans-sarbacane.md">Form</a></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>New subscribers</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Link an unchecked box to an intermediate column, then export and reimport the list, mapping it to the consent field. The update is not automatic: repeat this after each wave.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="linktype-link link" data-linktype="link" href="https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/403-comment-gerer-le-consentement-de-suivi-dans-l-annuaire-de-contacts-sarbacane.md">Contact directory</a></p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>A few contacts to correct</p></td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1"><p>Click the contact’s Active / Inactive toggle, then click “Confirm.” The consent date is updated.</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

The most effective approach for most customers: send a dedicated campaign with the consent button, and keep this button in the footer of all your campaigns. Synced lists: see [this article](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/413-comment-gerer-le-consentement-au-pixel-de-suivi-sur-des-listes-synchronisees-dans-sarbacane.md).

## What happens next with my campaigns?

You continue creating and sending your campaigns as before; Sarbacane applies the right treatment to each contact.

-   **One campaign** for everyone: the pixel is added for Active contacts and removed for Inactive contacts.
    
-   **The tracking opt-out link** is automatically added to the footer.
    
-   **Your tracking preferences** apply to future campaigns, not to those already sent.
    
-   **Your open rates will rise** as your contacts give their consent. They can no longer be compared with those from before the update.
    
-   **Diversify your indicators**: also rely on conversions, replies or sales generated to assess the overall performance of your sends.
    
-   **Check your settings based on opens** (resending to non-openers, A/B test winner, scenario triggered by an open, inactive contact cleanup): they only take into account opens from “Active” contacts.
    

## Sources

-   [Sarbacane Help Center – Tracking Pixel collection](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/collections/118-pixel-de-suivi-sarbacane)
    
-   [Configure your campaign tracking preferences](https://help.sarbacane.com/fr/articles/402-comment-configurer-les-preferences-de-suivi-de-vos-campagnes-dans-sarbacane.md)
