Gmail automatically clips emails larger than 102 KB. When this happens, recipients see a "View entire message" link where the content cuts off, and they must click it to see the full email. This affects all emails sent to Gmail addresses, regardless of which email service sends them.
Why This Happens
Email size is measured by the total HTML code in your email, not just what appears on screen. Each element—images, formatting, tracking pixels, and text—adds code that counts toward the 102 KB limit.
How to Reduce Email Size
Minimize Images
Images generate significant HTML code, even when they appear small. Each image adds code for sizing, positioning, alt text, and links.
Remove unnecessary images from your email to eliminate their reference code entirely. Resizing an image without removing it won't reduce message size because the code remains the same.
Use External Image Hosting
Images hosted on external servers (like ContactMonkey's servers) only add a reference link to your code rather than embedding the full image. This keeps your email size smaller and improves load times. ContactMonkey automatically hosts images externally when you add them through the File Manager.
Replace Attachments with Links
Attachments dramatically increase email size. Consider uploading files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive instead, then adding the link to your email. This reduces code and gives you better tracking of who accesses your files.
Simplify HTML Formatting
Complex formatting adds hidden code to your email. Use basic text styles and avoid excessive inline CSS. Each font change, color variation, and spacing adjustment adds code.
Streamline Email Signatures
Large signatures with multiple images and formatting can consume significant space. Create a simplified signature with essential information only, or link to a web-based signature card instead.
Test Before Sending
Send a test email to a Gmail account you control to see exactly how Gmail will display your email and whether clipping will occur. If you see clipping in your test, reduce your email size using the methods above and test again until the clipping disappears.
What Recipients Experience
When your email is clipped, recipients see:
- A truncated email with a "View entire message" link
- The mobile-optimized version is disabled (recipients on phones and tablets see the desktop version)
- Tracking may be incomplete if recipients don't click to view the full message
- A potentially poor user experience, especially on mobile devices