A/B Testing Functionality for Emails

A/B Testing Functionality for Emails

I think it should be possible to run A/B testing on emails in the same way that the current landing page A/B testing works. Basically, create the ability to convert an email asset to a test group, and when sent by a smart campaign, send version A to a fraction of the list, version B to a fraction, and so on.

I know AB testing is possible using the Random Sample function in a smart campaign, or by manually segmenting the list through smart lists, but this isn't terribly user friendly, and can be time consuming. As a user who likes tests everything, the addition of this feature would be a huge timesaver for me, and would likely make it a whole lot easier to track results later.
18 Comments
Anonymous
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Great suggestion!
Anonymous
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-- voted
Anonymous
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This functionality along with email staggering is critical and considered basic email 101 functionality - there are many basic and inexpensive email marketing tools where A/B testing and staggering capabilities. It's evident that Marketo has some work to do on their basic email functionality (irrespective of automation).
Anonymous
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Plus 1
Anonymous
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Marketo, do you have any guidance on when this might be available?
Michelle_Tizian
Level 10
Count me in for this! 
Anonymous
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Amazed this isn't complete yet.
Anonymous
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Would love to hear from Marketo on this idea!
Anonymous
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Agreed. Many other very basic ESP's offer easy to use AB testing functionality. Marketo's solution is time consuming and not user friendly.
Anonymous
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One thing I've found is to use the 'Random Sample' in the 'Send Email' flow step instead of the smart list.  There you can add choices and put down the percentage breakdown you want.  Here's what I mean:

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It's a very quick and easy way to set up your testing.  I don't know if that's what you're looking for, but I hope it helps!