# Salesforce connector v2, sync errors and app access

*Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist Study Guide · Administration · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-account-engagement-specialist/administration/salesforce-connector-v2-sync-errors-and-app-access*

How Account Engagement connects to Salesforce: connector v1 versus v2, the integration user, pausing sync, business units and Marketing Data Sharing, sync error categories and fixes, and which app, licence and role a user needs.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist
- Exam section: Administration
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-account-engagement-specialist

**Official exam objective:**

> Explain the relationship between Account Engagement and Salesforce.

## What the exam expects

- Compare Salesforce connector v1 and v2 and state what the upgrade changes permanently.
- Say how records are created in each system: assigned prospects, the automatic prospect creation setting, and importing existing leads and contacts.
- Choose between the integration user and an existing connector user, including with Marketing Data Sharing, and know when to pause syncing.
- Explain business units, Salesforce User Sync and the Business Unit Switcher.
- Classify a prospect sync error (data formatting, access, process alignment, customization) and plan the fix.
- Pick the right access path: Lightning App, standalone pi.pardot.com, permission set license and default user roles; name what Sales Emails and Alerts and Connected Campaigns add.
- Key terms: **connector user** (the licensed Salesforce user a connector syncs as); **integration user** (the automatically provisioned, licence-free sync user); **pause sync** (a v2 temporary stop of most syncing); **Marketing Data Sharing** (rules that sync a subset of records to a business unit); **sync error** (a prospect that failed to sync, originating in Salesforce).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade to v2 | Not reversible; connected org can't change afterwards | [Upgrading to Connector v2](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_v2_upgrade_connector_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| New business units | Created with a v2 connector, in a paused state | [Upgrading to Connector v2](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_v2_upgrade_connector_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US), [Managing Multiple Business Units](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_pbus_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| v1 metadata refresh | Background process every 4 hours; v2 refreshes on demand | [Upgrading to Connector v2](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_v2_upgrade_connector_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Integration user licence and login | No standard licence, no password, can't log in | [Integration User](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_integration_user.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Still syncing while paused | Campaign, User and Metadata | [Pause the Connector v2](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_v2_pause_connector.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Business Unit Switcher | Requires connector v2 and Salesforce User Sync | [Upgrading to Connector v2](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_v2_upgrade_connector_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| One lead or contact | Syncs with a prospect in one business unit only | [Managing Multiple Business Units](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_pbus_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Existing leads and contacts | Not made into prospects by the connector; import them | [Initial Prospect Sync](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_initial_prospect_sync.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Clearing a sync error | Only after the cause is resolved | [Common Prospect Sync Errors](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000383308&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Pardot Classic app | Retired October 17, 2022; pi.pardot.com remains | [Classic App Retirement FAQ](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000389663&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Default user roles | Four, and they can't be edited | [Default User Roles](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_default_user_roles.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Why can't anyone sign in as the B2BMA Integration user?
- When does a v2 upgrade show the status Upgrading?
- Why shouldn't two business units both read the same contact?
- Which default role sees only its own assigned prospects?

## Sources

- [Considerations for Upgrading to v2 of the Salesforce Connector](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_v2_upgrade_connector_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Account Engagement Integration User](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_integration_user.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Pause the Salesforce Connector v2](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_v2_pause_connector.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Managing Multiple Business Units](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_pbus_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Marketing Data Sharing](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_selective_sync_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Manage Users with Salesforce User Sync](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_user_sync_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Common Account Engagement prospect sync errors](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000383308&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Pardot Classic App in Salesforce Retirement FAQ](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000389663&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Default User Roles](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_default_user_roles.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Using Account Engagement with Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_using_pardot_parent.htm&language=en_US)
- [Account Engagement Campaigns](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_campaigns_parent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Salesforce Campaigns in Account Engagement](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_campaigns_salesforce_campaigns.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Salesforce Connector Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_settings_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Trigger the Initial Prospect Sync](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_setup_initial_prospect_sync.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Considerations for Using the Salesforce Connector](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_sf_connector_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 14 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams