Email Threading is the process of extracting the relationships between email messages. This is typically done by looking at the headers of each message to determine which message is a reply to which another message. Email Threading can be used to understand the flow of a conversation or to extract important information from a large number of messages.
Methods of Email Threading
There are a few different ways that email threading can be done. Here are some of them:
Headers. The most common way is to look at the headers of each message to determine which message is a reply to which other messages.
Message-ID threading. This involves looking at the message IDs of each email, rather than the headers. Message-IDs are unique identifiers that are assigned to each email when it is sent. By looking at the message IDs, you can determine which emails are replies to other emails.
Subject lines. Email threading can also be done by looking at the subject lines of each email. This is not as reliable as looking at the headers or message IDs, but it can be helpful if you are trying to thread together a large number of emails.
Email Threading and Coding Schemes
When email threading, you may come across different coding schemes. These are used to code the messages in a way that makes it easier to understand the relationships between them. Here are some of the most common coding schemes:
In-Reply-To. This is a coding scheme that is used to indicate which message is a reply to which other message.
References. This is a coding scheme that is used to indicate which messages are part of the same conversation.
Message-ID. This is a coding scheme that is used to identify each message.
Manual vs. Software Email Threading
Email threading can be done manually, or with the help of software. Manual email threading is a time-consuming process, and it is not always accurate. Software can be more accurate, but it can also be more expensive.
Different Softwares for Email Threading
There are many software programs that can help with email threading. Some of them are free, and some of them are paid. Here are a few examples:
Gmail. Gmail has a built-in feature that can help you thread your emails. To use it, just click on the “More” button at the top of your inbox, and then click on “Conversation view.”
Outlook. Outlook also has a built-in feature that can help you thread your emails. To use it, just go to the “View” tab at the top of your inbox, and then click on “Show as Conversations.”
SaneBox. SaneBox is a paid service that can help you thread your emails. It costs $7 per month, and it works with Gmail, Outlook, and other email providers.