Open Tracking Pixel and Accessibility

[jessbib1]

Marketo uses a tracking pixel to register email opens. This pixel is being picked up by screen readers as an indiscernible link. I would like to know if there is a way to hide the pixel from screen readers without disabling open tracking.

[Darshil_Shah1 · Accepted solution]

Well, I don't think you can do anything such as hide links from email scanners or mask tracking pixels, as even if you do so and the platform somehow sends an email masking the tracking pixels or links from the scanners, then the scanners will evolve to still check emails (and click-through) the links. Also, if this proves possible, then mail scanners as a whole are useless. The major purpose of email scanners is to check the links and email content for spam or suspicious content. The fundamental idea behind a mail scanner is to mimic human behavior seamlessly. Any detectable deviation indicates a flaw.

[jessbib1]

Thanks for the response.

I should clarify my intention. I don't want to hide the link from security scanners. Rather, I'm looking for a way to hide it from screen readers used by people who have visual impairments, similar to the way in which tables can be hidden by adding an attribute such as:

aria-hidden="true"

  Perhaps, though, the impact would be the same. Either way, it seems as though it's not possible anyway.