Forward to a friend function - sharing of content

[Anonymous]

We currently have been using the 'forward to a friend' function within our emails; however with GDPR around the corner I assume this way of sharing content is no longer allowed as the individual who receive it has not opted in? Have asked Marketo support on several occasions but with no solution as yet. Does anyone else know how this function will work post GDPR?

In the meantime I wanted to enquire about other potential solutions for sharing email content. Within our company there is a high demand from our partners to see/be sent the emails we send to our external audience. We avoid adding them to our audience lists as we have found that they often forward their email to other clients (via outlook) and with the Marketo tracking has caused some issues for our reporting. Is there an option in Marketo to share a HTML link with our partners that has no tracking on it? Ie a preview of the email. That way they can view the content and share with others without the worry of tracking code. Does anyone else have this problem and have a solution?

[Grégoire_Miche2]

Hi Rachel,

Clearly, this feature is not GDPR compliant

AFAIK, there is not standard solution from Marketo to do what you would like to do.

-Greg

[Anonymous]

Thanks Gregoire.

Hopefully Marketo will provide some guidance on what they advise doing about the 'forward to a friend' function; whether it be removing the function from the system.

[Grégoire_Miche2]

Hi again Rachel,

Honestly, very few people do use it. It does not drive good results anyway : people are used to hit the "forward" button on their email client.

-Greg

[Dan_Stevens_]

agree with Greg here - when we did include this function, no one used it.  Think about it, would you prefer clicking the "forward" button in your email client; or spending time to fill out the form that pops up when clicking the FTAF link?  And I agree, when someone simply forwards an email, it can really skew your reporting (if those that receive the forwarded email engage/take action).  It's not a Marketo issue, but rather a common behavior of email in general.  Now if the call-to-action within an email includes a link to a form (e.g., gated content), that form submit should reassociate all activity from this new user and create a new lead record in Marketo.

[SanfordWhiteman]

when we did include this function, no one used it

Agreed that it's little-used, but if you say "Send this offer to a friend and get $50 if they sign up" that might change things...