# Consent checks, communication subscriptions and compliance duties

*Marketing Cloud Next Consultant Study Guide · Consent · Last updated November 6, 2026 · 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.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Next Consultant
- Exam section: Consent
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-next-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Explain consent management concepts and the role of consent in customer engagement and compliance.

## What the exam expects

- Predict whether a send runs a consent check, from its channel and message type.
- Explain what happens to records that have no consent value, and to CRM-held consent.
- Model marketing choices with communication subscriptions and channel types.
- Advise on disabling consent checks, and on who stays responsible afterwards.
- Advise on channel add-ons and whether SMS consent can carry over to RCS.
- Plan the compliance setup and preference pages, including the Custom Preference Pages switch.

**Key terms.** *Consent check*: the send-time test that each recipient is opted in to the selected subscription. *Communication subscription*: the kind of content someone signs up for. *Channel type*: a marketing channel such as email, SMS or RCS. *Contact point*: the address or number that holds the consent. *Preference page*: where subscribers manage their own choices.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Promotional email | Consent check runs against a selected subscription | [Consent concepts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_tools_ref.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| SMS, WhatsApp, RCS | Consent is required for any type of message | [Consent concepts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_tools_ref.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Transactional email | Checks are disabled by default; editable in Setup | [Consent concepts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_tools_ref.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| No consent value | Treated as opted out for all channels and subscriptions | [Consent considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| CRM consent | Separate, and not automatically recognized | [Consent considerations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Included channel | Email; all others are paid add-ons | [Consent concepts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_tools_ref.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Disabling checks | Allowed when consent is managed elsewhere; requires affirming responsibility | [Consent settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_admin_setup_consent.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Create a subscription | Marketing Cloud Manager or Admin; at least one channel | [Create a subscription](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_comm_sub_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Create or edit a preference page | Marketing Cloud Manager and any CMS workspace contributor role | [Manage Preference Pages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_manage_preference_pages.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Set a default page | Marketing Cloud Admin permission set | [Manage Preference Pages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_manage_preference_pages.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Custom Preference Pages | Orgs enabled before April 2026 turn it on; the change can't be undone | [Custom Preference Pages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_admin_create_customizable_preference_page.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Why would an edit to a live preference page not reach subscribers yet?
- When does an org need no Custom Preference Pages switch at all?
- What must a subscription with an RCS channel select before saving?
- Where can a page be edited once custom preference pages are on?
- Why is the Subscription List block still on every page you customize?

## Sources

- [Understanding Consent Concepts in Marketing Cloud Next](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_tools_ref.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Considerations for Managing Marketing Consent Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Ensure Compliance with Consent Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_admin_setup_consent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Comply with Privacy Regulations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_admin_compliance.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Create a Communication Subscription in Marketing Cloud Next](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_comm_sub_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Manage Preference Pages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_manage_preference_pages.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Turn On Custom Preference Pages](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_admin_create_customizable_preference_page.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Configure Consent Mapping from Marketing Cloud Engagement to Marketing Cloud Next](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mke_sync_consent_mce_mcn.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 10 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Next Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams