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Writer's pictureDes Brown

How To Avoid Clipped Emails in Gmail

Updated: Aug 28, 2023

In the world of email marketing, every pixel and word counts. The last thing you want is for your carefully crafted emails to get clipped in Gmail.


Corner of a laptop screen showing a Gmail inbox

Why clipping matters in Gmail


As an email sender, one of the biggest pitfalls to navigate is the requirements of the various email inbox providers.


Most often, the focus is on navigating deliverability and ensuring you reach the inbox.


This is great, however, if your email does not display correctly, all those efforts may be in vain. This rings especially true if your emails are being clipped in Gmail.


This frustrating issue can lead to a compromised user experience and hinder your marketing efforts. In today's knowledge drop, we'll delve deeper into the reasons behind emails getting clipped in Gmail and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to prevent it.



Unveiling the Clipping Mystery: What's Happening in Gmail?


Gmail's email clipping issue is a result of size limitations imposed on incoming messages.


When an email's size exceeds approximately 102 KB, Gmail clips the message, causing subscribers to miss out on valuable content.


In a world where visual and textual harmony is paramount, a clipped email can disrupt your carefully designed user journey and hamper your communication goals.


The good news is you can avoid this and today, we'll learn a few ways to do so, so let's dive in and learn a little more about how to avoid clipped emails in Gmail.



Top Checks and Best Practices: How to avoid clipped emails in Gmail.


Here's a detailed breakdown of effective strategies to steer clear of Gmail's clipping predicament:


1. Trim Content Wisely: Prioritise the content that truly matters. Place essential information, such as your main message and call-to-action, within the first 102 KB to ensure it remains intact even if clipping occurs.

2. Optimise Images for Efficiency: Images contribute significantly to an email's size. Optimise them by compressing them without compromising quality. Use modern formats like JPEG and PNG to strike a balance between aesthetics and load times. Though GIFs in emails are great, they do tend to increase the size of email code quite a bit.

3. Streamline HTML and CSS: Bloated code can amplify the clipping issue. Keep your HTML clean by removing unnecessary tags, inline styles, and comments. Employ external CSS for complex styles, reducing the overall email size. This is generally if you're coding emails most email platforms such as TouchBasePro do this for you.

4. Embrace Minimalist Design: Less is more. Adopt a minimalist design approach, which not only enhances the visual appeal but also minimizes the email's size. Utilise whitespace strategically and consider text-based alternatives for heavy imagery.

5. Craft Responsive Designs: With mobile users on the rise, responsive design is crucial. Ensuring your email adapts to various screen sizes can aid in managing size-related challenges and offer a seamless experience. It also helps load time on mobile, especially in data-sensitive economies.

A banana cut in half on a yellow background

6. Introduce a Text-Only Version: A lightweight text-only version acts as a failsafe against clipping. Including a plain-text version provides an alternative that ensures essential content remains accessible.

7. Thorough Testing Across Clients: Don't leave anything to chance. Preview your emails across multiple clients, with a strong emphasis on Gmail, to identify and rectify clipping issues before your campaign goes live.

8. Monitor Engagement Metrics: Keep a watchful eye on your email metrics. A sudden drop in engagement might signal clipping. Address these issues promptly to prevent further setbacks.

9. Educate Subscribers for Primary Tab Placement: Encourage subscribers to mark your emails as important or move them to the primary tab. These actions can help Gmail recognise the relevance of your content, reducing the likelihood of clipping or future emails being sent to the junk folder.

10. Data-Driven Refinement: Regularly analyse email performance metrics and iterate on your strategies. Learning from real-world results allows you to adapt and optimise your approach over time. You'll notice fewer clicks in clipped campaigns, so use this metric as a guiding light to fixing potential clipping issues in Gmail.


Bolster Your Insights with Data


According to a recent study by Litmus, approximately 22% of marketing emails get clipped in Gmail due to size limitations. This statistic underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to enhance email deliverability and engagement.

As you embark on the journey of email marketing excellence, remember that conquering clipping challenges is a blend of creativity and technical finesse.


By following these best practices and continuously refining your approach, you'll not only overcome Gmail's clipping hurdle but also create impactful email experiences that resonate with your audience.



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