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How to Use the Inbox Checker

Email Features Updated on September 14, 2022

The Inbox Checker lets you see how your emails will appear in the inbox before sending an email to your contacts. You can test different email clients, browsers, screen types, and operating systems. You can even test certain spam filters to determine if your email will Pass or Fail.

If you prefer a video tutorial, watch this video.


How to create an inbox checker test

To create an Inbox Checker from the dashboard, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Benchmark account.
  2. Click on Emails from the Dashboard menu.
  3. Now select Inbox Checker.
  1. Click on the Create New Test button on the top-right of the page.
  1. On the Details page, select your desired email.
  2. Click on the Select Email Clients button on the bottom of the page.
  1. On the Inbox Checker pop-up, check the box next to the desired Email Clients and/or Spam Filters. To start the tests, just click Begin Inbox Checker.
  1. You will now have the option of going to the Inbox Checker dashboard to view the results or head back to the EDITOR to keep working on the email.

Test results are usually available within minutes; some test results can take a few hours. The testing and processing period depends on the number of tests chosen.

CONSIDER

Another way to initiate an Inbox Checker test is while editing an email using the drag & drop editor. Just click the test button and select Inbox Checker.

Benchmark offers 1 free test Gmail (Explorer). The Inbox Checker feature is $14 for 100 tests, and it is not a recurring fee. To see how to purchase and add on click here.

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How to see the test results

  1. Log in to your Benchmark account.
  2. Click on Emails from the Dashboard menu.
  3. Now select Inbox Checker.
  1. You’ll see a list of your email tests along with their status and the number of tests chosen. Click on the email name to see the test results.
  2. In the Results page, you will see individual screenshots for the email client, device or browser. You can click on a thumbnail to view it in full size.
  1. You can also select other options, such as seeing how the email will look without images and more.

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Email Clients and Spam Filters Available in the Inbox Checker

Email Clients

The following tests show you how your email will appear in the inbox. Some inboxes are known to display emails differently, and using these tests can help prevent any formatting issues.

  • Apple Mail 12 Dark
  • Apple Mail 13
  • Apple Mail 13 Dark
  • Outlook 2016

These services are based on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablet computers.

  • Android 6.0
  • Gmail app (Android 6)
  • Gmail app (Android 7)
  • Gmail app (Android 8)
  • Gmail App (Android 9)
  • Gmail App (Android 10)
  • Gmail App (Android 10) Dark
  • Gmail App (iOS)
  • Gmail App IMAP (Android 6)
  • Gmail App (iOS) Dark
  • IBM Notes 10
  • iPad (Gen 7)
  • iPad (Gen 7) Dark
  • iPad (Retina)
  • iPad Pro (10.5 in)
  • iPad Pro (11 in)
  • iPad Pro (12.9 in)
  • iPhone 11 Pro (iOS 13)
  • iPhone 11 Pro (iOS 13) Dark
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max (iOS 13)
  • iPhone 11 (iOS 14)
  • iPhone 11 (iOS 14) Dark
  • iPhone 12 (iOS 14)
  • iPhone 12 (iOS 14) Dark
  • iPhone 8 Plus (iOS 14)
  • iPhone SE (iOS 13) Gen 2
  • iPhone XR (iOS 12)
  • iPhone XS (iOS 12)
  • iPhone XS Max (iOS 12)
  • Microsoft Outlook app (iOS 11)
  • Samsung Mail (Android 6)
  • Samsung Mail (Android 7)

These services are based on inboxes accessed via a web browser, instead of an application stored in the device. 

  • AOL Mail (Chrome)
  • AOL Mail (Explorer)
  • AOL Mail (Firefox)
  • Comcast (Chrome)
  • Comcast (Explorer)
  • Comcast (Firefox)
  • freenet.de (Chrome)
  • freenet.de (Explorer)
  • Gmail (Chrome)
  • Gmail (Explorer) Free
  • Gmail (Firefox)
  • GMX.de (Chrome)
  • GMX.de (Explorer)
  • GMX.de (Firefox)
  • G Suite (Chrome)
  • G Suite (Explorer)
  • G Suite (Firefox)
  • Office 365 (Chrome)
  • Office 365 (Explorer)
  • Office 365 (Firefox)
  • Outlook.com (Chrome)
  • Outlook.com (Explorer)
  • Outlook.com (Firefox)
  • Outlook.com Dark Mode (Chrome)
  • Outlook.com Dark Mode (Firefox)
  • T-Online.de (Chrome)
  • T-Online.de (Explorer)
  • T-Online.de (Firefox)
  • Web.de (Chrome)
  • Web.de (Explorer)
  • Web.de (Firefox)
  • Yahoo! Mail (Chrome)
  • Yahoo! Mail (Explorer)
  • Yahoo! Mail (Firefox)
  • Color Blindness
  • IBM Notes 9
  • Lotus Notes 8.5
  • Outlook 2007
  • Outlook 2010
  • Outlook 2013
  • Outlook 2013 120 DPI
  • Outlook 2016
  • Outlook 2016 120 DP
  • Outlook 2019
  • Outlook 2019 120 DP
  • Outlook 365
  • Outlook 365 Dark Mode
  • Plain Text
  • Thunderbird latest
  • Windows 10 Mail
Spam Filters

The following tests scan your email to find any issues that can prevent you from landing in the inbox.

  • AOL Mail
  • Gmail
  • GMX
  • Mail.com
  • Outlook
  • Yahoo! Mail
  • Barracuda
  • Cloudmark
  • DKIM
  • DomainKeys
  • G Suite
  • GoDaddy
  • Google Inbox
  • Mail.ru
  • MailRoute
  • MessageLabs
  • Microsoft Exchange Online Protection
  • Sender ID
  • Sender Policy Framework
  • SpamAssassin
  • Web.de
  • Yandex

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Frequently Asked Questions

In short, every email client and browser renders HTML differently. Therefore, some email rendering issues will vary depending on the email client or browser and may or may not be rectified.

There are known rendering issues that can be easily fixed but some that, unfortunately, cannot be fixed. Remember, these issues are limited to that particular email client. So, for example, if you notice that some text is erroneously left justified in Outlook, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will appear that way in other email clients.

Fortunately, we have our Inbox Checker Tool to show you how your emails will appear in different email clients and browsers before sending it to your entire list. 

To see a full list of known rendering issues, click here.

You will find your remaining Inbox Checker tests in the following locations:

Plan Information page:

Inbox Checker window (found during the creation of an Inbox Checker test).


If you have any questions, please contact our support team.