# Marketing Cloud Next Consultant Study Guide *Last updated November 6, 2026 ยท https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant* The Certifyforce Marketing Cloud Next Consultant study guide covers the official Salesforce Marketing Cloud Next Consultant exam outline in 24 units across all 6 exam sections, one unit per exam-guide topic. The exam itself has 60 scored questions plus 5 unscored, a 105-minute limit and a 72% passing score, and its largest section is Campaign Design, Flow Orchestration & Content at 30%. Every unit is verified against official Salesforce documentation, cites its sources, and links to the practice questions that test it. Last updated November 6, 2026. ## Contents ### Platform Setup & Governance (13% of the exam) - [Editions, Data 360 provisioning, data kits and permissions](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/platform-setup-and-governance/editions-data-360-provisioning-data-kits-and-permissions): What a Marketing Cloud Next org needs before anyone sends: core and Next editions, adoption paths, the order of Data 360 enablement and Basic Settings, required and optional data kits, and the permission sets that control who can do what. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/platform-setup-and-governance/editions-data-360-provisioning-data-kits-and-permissions)) - [Business units, data spaces and workspace governance](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/platform-setup-and-governance/business-units-data-spaces-and-workspace-governance): When a division needs a business unit and when workspaces are enough, how the one-to-one data space mapping isolates data, and how member roles, contributor roles, sharing, common assets and channels govern content and users. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/platform-setup-and-governance/business-units-data-spaces-and-workspace-governance)) - [Sending domains, DNS records and IP reputation](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/platform-setup-and-governance/sending-domains-dns-records-and-ip-reputation): How to pick and authenticate a sending subdomain, what each generated DNS record does, when a domain is authorized instead of authenticated, how to share an Engagement domain, and how managed dedicated IPs and warming protect reputation. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/platform-setup-and-governance/sending-domains-dns-records-and-ip-reputation)) ### Consent (13% of the exam) - [Consent checks, communication subscriptions and compliance duties](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/consent-checks-communication-subscriptions-and-compliance-duties): How Marketing Cloud Next decides who may receive a message: consent checks by channel and message type, the opted-out default, communication subscriptions, compliance setup and preference pages. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/consent-checks-communication-subscriptions-and-compliance-duties)) - [Consent objects and how they relate](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/consent-objects-and-how-they-relate): The four objects that store Marketing Cloud Next consent, how the separate CRM consent data model and its purpose and brand records differ, and where to review consent status and its change history. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/consent-objects-and-how-they-relate)) - [Importing, flowing and syncing consent records](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/importing-flowing-and-syncing-consent-records): How to choose among consent imports, record imports, flow actions, Account Engagement matching and Engagement+ Consent Mapping, with the file, date and phone format rules each path enforces. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/importing-flowing-and-syncing-consent-records)) - [Consent banners and activity tracking setup](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/consent-banners-and-activity-tracking-setup): The four web tracking configurations, with and without a consent banner, on marketing landing pages and external sites, plus republishing, custom domains, third-party platforms, cookies and banner permissions. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/consent/consent-banners-and-activity-tracking-setup)) ### Data Modeling, Identity Resolution & Segmentation (25% of the exam) - [Data streams, DLOs and DMO mapping](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/data-streams-dlos-and-dmo-mapping): How customer data moves from a data stream into data lake objects and data model objects, which mappings a custom stream must have, what Simple Start leaves for you to do, and how to check each stage of the pipeline. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/data-streams-dlos-and-dmo-mapping)) - [CRM data, people records and Actionable Lists](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/crm-data-people-records-and-actionable-lists): Which people record fits each stage, how records become unified individuals, how to build and maintain Actionable Lists, and how CRM objects reach segments and content through data streams, streaming eligibility and data graphs. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/crm-data-people-records-and-actionable-lists)) - [Identity resolution rulesets, match rules and reconciliation](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/identity-resolution-rulesets-match-rules-and-reconciliation): How to generate or build rulesets for Marketing Cloud Next, which match rules and methods link sources, how filters and reconciliation differ from matching, and how to read processing cadence, run results and billing guidance. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/identity-resolution-rulesets-match-rules-and-reconciliation)) - [Data 360 credits, license models and allocations](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/data-360-credits-license-models-and-allocations): Separate Data 360 processing charges from edition allocations, then estimate how segmentation, identity resolution, ingestion, messaging and flow design affect usage. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/data-360-credits-license-models-and-allocations)) - [Data graphs, segment publishing and DMO activation](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/data-graphs-segment-publishing-and-dmo-activation): Connect mapped Data Model Objects through identity resolution, prepare selected attributes for Marketing Cloud Next personalization, and choose between campaign segments and DMO activation. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/data-modeling-identity-resolution-and-segmentation/data-graphs-segment-publishing-and-dmo-activation)) ### Campaign Design, Flow Orchestration & Content (30% of the exam) - [Merge fields, variations, repeaters and Handlebars](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/merge-fields-variations-repeaters-and-handlebars): How to pick the right personalization method for a message: merge fields and expressions, content variations and linked personalization points, repeaters, and when code view with Handlebars or AMPscript is worth its cost. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/merge-fields-variations-repeaters-and-handlebars)) - [Flow types, triggers and re-entry settings](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/flow-types-triggers-and-re-entry-settings): How to match a marketing requirement to an audience, automation event-triggered, on-demand, broadcast or activation-triggered flow, then configure its source, event, schedule, segment update and re-entry settings. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/flow-types-triggers-and-re-entry-settings)) - [Data sources for personalized message content](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/data-sources-for-personalized-message-content): How to choose the data source a message needs, from data graphs and events to activations, Apex classes, content variables, Salesforce records, offers and recommenders, plus channel limits and what happens when a source changes. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/data-sources-for-personalized-message-content)) - [Flow elements for branching, waiting and handoffs](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/flow-elements-for-branching-waiting-and-handoffs): Which marketing flow element to use for branching, waiting, experimenting, removing people or handing them to another flow or journey, plus exit rules, completion actions, Send Email settings and element permissions. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/flow-elements-for-branching-waiting-and-handoffs)) - [Activation templates and contact point selection](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/activation-templates-and-contact-point-selection): Choose and configure activation templates, source priority, contact point filters and mappings, including their use in segment flows. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/activation-templates-and-contact-point-selection)) - [Landing page assembly, publishing, URLs and SEO](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/landing-page-assembly-publishing-urls-and-seo): Assemble and publish landing pages, configure preview access and SEO, and manage public URLs, aliases and redirects. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/landing-page-assembly-publishing-urls-and-seo)) - [Forms, hidden fields and form flows](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/forms-hidden-fields-and-form-flows): Connect forms to landing pages and processing flows, configure CRM field capture, and manage hidden fields, mappings and republishing. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/campaign-design-flow-orchestration-and-content/forms-hidden-fields-and-form-flows)) ### Agentforce & AI Innovation (11% of the exam) - [Campaign Creation, content and segment agents](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/agentforce-and-ai-innovation/campaign-creation-content-and-segment-agents): How marketing agents draft briefs, campaigns, content and segments in Marketing Cloud Next: agent setup, brief grounding, preview refinement and its save boundary, flow-backed actions, Einstein segment filters and the Account Discovery agent. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/agentforce-and-ai-innovation/campaign-creation-content-and-segment-agents)) - [Conversational Email and WhatsApp messaging setup](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/agentforce-and-ai-innovation/conversational-email-and-whatsapp-messaging-setup): How replies reach an agent or a human: Conversational Email prerequisites, escalation, agent connection, From Address routing and unsubscribe handling, plus WhatsApp setup, session messages and forwarding a conversation to Service Cloud. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/agentforce-and-ai-innovation/conversational-email-and-whatsapp-messaging-setup)) - [Predictive AI: scoring, frequency, send time and bots](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/agentforce-and-ai-innovation/predictive-ai-scoring-frequency-send-time-and-bots): How to pick Engagement Scoring, Engagement Frequency, Send Time Optimization or Metrics Guard from a requirement, with each feature's edition, setup and data needs, and how the Einstein Decision element uses scores in a flow. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/agentforce-and-ai-innovation/predictive-ai-scoring-frequency-send-time-and-bots)) ### Analytics & Performance Insights (8% of the exam) - [Pre-built dashboards, analytics packages and Flow Performance](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/analytics-and-performance-insights/pre-built-dashboards-analytics-packages-and-flow-performance): Match a reporting requirement to the right pre-built dashboard and its location, then plan the setup behind it: managed analytics packages or Marketing Performance Intelligence, Flow Performance, permissions and metric definitions. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/analytics-and-performance-insights/pre-built-dashboards-analytics-packages-and-flow-performance)) - [Marketing scores, record components and Marketing Intelligence](https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/analytics-and-performance-insights/marketing-scores-record-components-and-marketing-intelligence): How marketing data reaches the people who use it: score and engagement components on records, scores in segments, Data 360 reports on Einstein data, Marketing Performance Intelligence versus Marketing Intelligence, and the Marketing Insights for Sales Cloud app. ([markdown](https://www.certifyforce.com/md/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant/analytics-and-performance-insights/marketing-scores-record-components-and-marketing-intelligence)) ## Common questions about the Marketing Cloud Next Consultant study guide ### Is the Marketing Cloud Next Consultant study guide free? Partly. Every unit's summary and its "What the exam expects", "Key facts" and "Check yourself" sections are free to read without an account. The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections, reading progress and unlimited timed mock exams come with the Marketing Cloud Next Consultant pack (USD $19). ### How current is the Marketing Cloud Next Consultant study guide? It is written to the current official Salesforce Marketing Cloud Next Consultant exam outline, and each unit is checked against Salesforce documentation before it is published. The most recent update was November 6, 2026, and every unit shows its own last-updated date. ### How does the study guide map to the official Marketing Cloud Next Consultant exam guide? There is one unit per topic in the official exam guide, grouped under its 6 weighted sections: Platform Setup & Governance (13%), Consent (13%), Data Modeling, Identity Resolution & Segmentation (25%), Campaign Design, Flow Orchestration & Content (30%), Agentforce & AI Innovation (11%), Analytics & Performance Insights (8%). Each unit quotes the exam objective it covers word for word. ### How do the practice questions link to the study guide? Each unit lists the reviewed practice questions that test it (300 questions are linked across the guide), so you can read a topic and practice it in one click. After a practice exam, every missed question links back to the unit that teaches it.