# Email testing, HML merge fields and footers

*Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist Study Guide · Email Marketing · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-account-engagement-specialist/email-marketing/email-testing-hml-merge-fields-and-footers*

How to test classic and enhanced emails (test lists, individual tests, Preview As, inbox previews), personalize with Handlebars Merge Language instead of legacy variable tags, control link tracking, follow the email design guidelines, include the required unsubscribe link, link files and images, and choose classic or enhanced for a recurring program.

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

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, identify the capabilities and use cases for email.

## What the exam expects

- Test a classic email with a test list or individual addresses, and an enhanced email with Preview As and test sends, knowing what each records.
- Personalize with Handlebars Merge Language (HML), know when legacy variable tags exist, and fix a field that isn't available in enhanced email.
- Stop one link from being rewritten without turning off click tracking.
- Apply the design guidelines for hand-coded emails, keep the required unsubscribe link, and deliver files and images correctly.
- Choose the classic builder or the enhanced experience for a recurring program from the tools it needs.

Key terms:
- **Email test list**: a list of test prospects created from Account Engagement users, used only for test sends.
- **HML**: Handlebars Merge Language, merge fields such as `{{Recipient.FirstName}}`.
- **Variable tags (PML)**: the legacy merge language, unavailable in business units created after June 12, 2020.
- **Inbox preview**: a render of the email across email clients with a spam analysis.
- **Link rewriting**: replacing email links with tracker-domain links so clicks are tracked per prospect.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Test list size | Up to 100 recipients; no regular prospects | [Email Test List](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_create_email_test_list.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Individual test sends | Opens and clicks not tracked | [Send Test Emails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_classic_email_send_test.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Inbox preview renders | Stored 90 days; Advanced Email Analytics package | [Inbox Previews](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_classic_email_previews.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Enhanced test limits | 10 test lists of 100, or 50 individual addresses | [Considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_eilex_content_builder_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Enhanced test merge data | None; use Preview As | [Preview and Test](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_eilex_preview_test.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| HML limits | 200 merge fields and 10 pieces of dynamic content per email or template | [HML Guidelines](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_guidelines_hml.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Variable tags | Not in business units created after June 12, 2020 | [Variable Tags](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_variable_tags.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Salesforce-only field in enhanced email | Selectable, but the email can't be sent | [HML in Enhanced Email](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_eilex_hml_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Untracked link | Remove http/https or wrap in `<blockquote>` | [Link Tracking](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_emails_link_tracking.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Design width | About 600 pixels | [Sending Guidelines](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_classic_email_guidelines.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Required footer link | Unsubscribe or email preference page | [Unsubscribe Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_emails_unsubscribe_page.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- When does an enhanced test go out from a test@ address?
- Why might a spacer built from empty HTML tags disappear from a classic email?
- How long can an inbox preview render be reopened?
- What does two-click unsubscribe add to the unsubscribe flow?

## Sources

- [Create an Email Test List](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_create_email_test_list.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Send Test Emails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_classic_email_send_test.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Test with Inbox Previews](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_classic_email_previews.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Preview and Test Emails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_eilex_preview_test.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Personalize Content with Handlebars Merge Fields](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_handlebars_merge_language.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Guidelines for Using Handlebars Merge Language in Account Engagement](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_guidelines_hml.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Handlebars Merge Fields in Account Engagement](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_handlebars_merge_fields.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Personalize Account Engagement Emails with Variable Tags](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_variable_tags.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Considerations for Using HML Fields in the Enhanced Email Experience](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_eilex_hml_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Considerations for Designing and Sending Emails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_eilex_content_builder_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Email Link Tracking](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_emails_link_tracking.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Guidelines for Sending Emails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_classic_email_guidelines.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Manage Email Unsubscribe Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_emails_unsubscribe_page.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Include Files in Emails](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_emails_link_to_files.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 12 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