Summary
The impact of disabling email forwarding between SFMC and Service Cloud on deliverability is multifaceted. While internal routing shouldn't directly affect sender reputation if proper authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is in place, several factors warrant consideration. These include the SFMC connector's efficiency, the presence of filtering or reputation checks during forwarding, and the specific configuration of authentication records. Monitoring bounce rates, sender reputation, and email headers post-change is advisable, and verifying the SFMC's handling of internal reputation with their support is recommended.
Key findings
- SFMC Connector Handling: The SFMC connector's efficiency in internal routing significantly impacts deliverability post forwarding disablement.
- Authentication is Key: Proper configuration and maintenance of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for preserving deliverability.
- Experience Matters: Long-term SFMC users report minimal deliverability issues with connected systems, assuming proper setup.
- Internal Reputation: If SFMC doesn't monitor reputation for internal messages, disabling forwarding *may* not impact deliverability.
Key considerations
- Forwarding Processes: Determine if disabling forwarding removes essential filtering or reputation checks.
- Authentication Checks: Verify authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) setup is robust *before* disabling forwarding and re-check after.
- Post-Change Monitoring: Monitor bounce rates, sender reputation, and analyze email headers *after* disabling forwarding.
- SFMC Verification: Confirm with Salesforce support the best practices and potential impact of disabling forwarding on their systems.
- Testing: Test deliverability thoroughly in a sandbox environment before making changes in production.
What email marketers say
6 marketer opinions
Disabling email forwarding between SFMC and Service Cloud may or may not impact deliverability. Several factors influence the outcome, including the connector's internal routing mechanisms, the presence of filtering or reputation checks during forwarding, and the correct configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. It's generally recommended to monitor bounce rates, sender reputation, and email headers after disabling forwarding to ensure no adverse effects occur.
Key opinions
- SFMC Connector: If the SFMC connector handles internal routing efficiently, disabling forwarding might not directly affect deliverability.
- Proper Setup: If SFMC is set up correctly, there should be no issues for internal forwarding between SFMC and Service Cloud.
- SPF/DKIM/DMARC: Correct configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records is crucial to maintain deliverability regardless of forwarding settings.
- Experience: Experience suggests no deliverability issues when passing emails between SFMC and Service Cloud connector.
Key considerations
- Reputation Checks: Consider whether the forwarding process includes any filtering or reputation checks that would be lost upon disabling forwarding.
- Email Headers: Check email headers after disabling forwarding to confirm correct authentication.
- Bounce Rates/Reputation: Monitor bounce rates and sender reputation after any configuration change.
- Authentication: Ensure all emails sent from SFMC are properly authenticated to maintain deliverability.
- Testing: It is important to test deliverability after disabling email forwarding.
Marketer view
Email marketer from EmailGeeks Forum says that turning off email forwarding between SFMC and Service Cloud should not impact deliverability, provided that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly configured. They recommend checking the email headers after disabling forwarding to confirm correct authentication.
22 Jun 2023 - EmailGeeks Forum
Marketer view
Email marketer from StackExchange suggests testing the deliverability after disabling email forwarding. They note that some configurations can inadvertently affect SPF records or introduce other authentication issues that might impact deliverability.
20 Jan 2023 - StackExchange
What the experts say
1 expert opinions
An expert from Word to the Wise suggests evaluating whose reputation is at stake during internal forwarding. If SFMC doesn't track reputation for these messages, disabling forwarding might not harm deliverability. However, confirming this with SFMC support is essential.
Key opinions
- Reputation Importance: The impact depends on whether SFMC monitors reputation for internally forwarded messages.
- Potential Impact: If SFMC isn't monitoring reputation, disabling forwarding might not impact deliverability.
Key considerations
- Verification: Verify with SFMC support whether internal forwarding affects deliverability monitoring.
- Reputation Focus: Determine whose reputation is relevant in the forwarding process (SFMC's or the sender's).
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise recommends considering whose reputation matters in the internal forwarding process. If SFMC isn't monitoring reputation for internally forwarded messages, disabling forwarding might not impact deliverability, but this should be verified with SFMC support.
20 Jan 2023 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
3 technical articles
Salesforce documentation emphasizes the importance of proper authentication for email deliverability. While internal email routing (like forwarding to Service Cloud) should not impact sender reputation if domains are properly authenticated, regular monitoring is recommended. Following email deliverability best practices, including checking settings related to forwarding and ensuring compliance with SPF/DKIM/DMARC standards, is essential regardless of routing configurations.
Key findings
- Authentication is Key: Correct configuration of the Sender Authentication Package (SAP) is crucial for deliverability.
- Routing Independence: Internal email routing should not impact core sender reputation if domains are properly authenticated.
- Best Practices: Following email deliverability best practices within SFMC is essential.
Key considerations
- Regular Monitoring: Monitoring the sending domain reputation regularly is recommended.
- Forwarding Settings: Check Email Deliverability settings related to forwarding.
- Authentication Standards: Ensure any forwarding rules do not violate email authentication standards (SPF/DKIM/DMARC).
Technical article
Documentation from Salesforce Trust emphasizes the importance of email authentication and maintaining a good sender reputation. It does not directly address forwarding, but suggests ensuring all emails sent from SFMC are properly authenticated to maintain deliverability, regardless of internal routing configurations.
21 Mar 2025 - Salesforce Trust
Technical article
Documentation from Salesforce Documentation mentions following email deliverability best practices within SFMC setup. It recommends checking Email Deliverability settings related to forwarding and ensuring that any forwarding rules do not violate the email authentication standards. Specifically it recommends looking into SPF/DKIM/DMARC records
16 Mar 2025 - Salesforce Documentation
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