Gmail Privacy Extensions Compared

Why Go Beyond Basic Pixel Blocking?

Most “tracker blockers” rely on a static list of known tracking urls. That stops yesterday’s pixels, but leaves you exposed to new services launched tomorrow. Worse, the moment you click a tracked link, click tracking reveals your read-receipt, IP address and location.

Gblock solves these gaps with real-time spy pixel detection, click tracking protection, an optional privacy proxy and user-defined rules. Let’s see how each extension stacks up.

Three Ways Gblock Keeps You Ahead of Trackers

1. Automated Spy Pixel Detection

Every time Gblock detects a previously unseen spy pixel, it flags and submits it to our spy trackers detection API. The global blocklist updates automatically in seconds, no manual updates, or waiting for the next extension release.

2. Smart Click Tracking Protection

Gblock strips known tracking parameters (like ?utm_source=newsletter) and follows shortened or obscured URLs through our proxy, masking your IP and anonymizing your activity. The proxy never stores personal data, and can be disabled in your account settings. We’re confident this protects you in 99% of cases.

3. Per-Account Custom Rules

Need to allowlist a known URL or block a niche Email Service Provider? Create custom rules using simple strings or full Regex (the same syntax Chrome’s declarativeNetRequest uses). Your personal rules always override defaults, ensuring complete customization over Gblock default behaviour.

Where the Others Fall Short

Trocker

Trocker tries to automatically detect trackers, but it often goes too far, blocking legitimate images along with spy pixels. This overblocking can break email layouts or hide important content. Gblock takes a smarter approach: It detects only real spy pixels thanks to its dedicated tracker detection API, ensuring precise blocking without collateral damage.

Email Privacy Protector

CloudHQ’s extension relies on a static blocklist that must be manually updated and only detects a limited number of known spy trackers. It doesn’t offer click tracking protection, so your IP remains exposed.

Ugly Email

Ugly Email scans your inbox and marks known trackers with an eye icon, but it lacks real-time updates and offers zero protection once you click links in a message.