# Importing, flowing and syncing consent records

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

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

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a business requirement, determine the appropriate method for creating, managing, and updating consent records.

## What the exam expects

- Choose among a consent import, a record import, a flow action, consent matching and Consent Mapping for a stated requirement.
- Prepare consent files that meet the single-status, date and phone rules.
- Configure a flow to update consent for one or several contact points.
- Choose an Account Engagement match type, and know its limits and timing.
- Move an Account Engagement preference list by hand and avoid missed opt-outs.
- Sync Marketing Cloud Engagement lists through Consent Mapping.

**Key terms.** *Consent import*: a CSV for one channel, one subscription and one status. *Consent Request and Create Consent*: equivalent flow actions that set a contact point's status. *Email Consent Matching*: the Account Engagement feature that aligns email consent automatically. *Public list*: a static Account Engagement list available in the Email Preference Center. *Consent Mapping*: the Consent tab feature that maps Engagement lists to subscriptions.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Create a consent import | Marketing Cloud Admin or Marketing Cloud Manager | [Import consent data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_import_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Import scope | One channel, one subscription, one status per file | [Format consent files](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_import_format.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Record-creating import | Leads or Contacts tab with OptIn and OptOut values | [Format consent files](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_import_format.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Earlier consent date | Ignored by the importer | [Import consent data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_import_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Public List limit | Fewer than 250,000 active, opted-out prospects | [Automatic matching](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_match_email_consent_with_marketing_cloud.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Lists per match setup | Up to 100 public lists | [Automatic matching](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_match_email_consent_with_marketing_cloud.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Matching time | Up to 48 hours; status shows Active when done | [Automatic matching](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_match_email_consent_with_marketing_cloud.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Turn on matching | Page lists the Account Engagement Administrator role or Manage Email Consent Matching, with Modify All Data or Marketing Cloud Admin | [Automatic matching](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_match_email_consent_with_marketing_cloud.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Consent Mapping for SMS | Also asks for a Sender Code | [Consent Mapping](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mke_sync_consent_mce_mcn.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Why might an imported status not show in Data 360 straight away?
- When does Account Engagement's status override existing consent history under the Opted Out match type?
- Who is told when a consent import finishes?
- What extra selection appears in Consent Mapping if the org uses business units?

## Sources

- [Import Consent Data to Marketing Cloud Next](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_import_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Formatting Marketing Consent Import Files](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_import_format.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Automatically Match Email Consent Between Account Engagement and Marketing Cloud Next](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_match_email_consent_with_marketing_cloud.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Manually Match Consent and Subscriptions Between Account Engagement and Marketing Cloud Next](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mcae_mc_campaigns_consent.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Create Consent Marketing Flow Element](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_ref_elements_mktg_consent_request.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)
- [Considerations for Managing Marketing Consent Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mktg_consent_considerations.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [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)

## 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