No Code Merge Tags
Personalizing emails in Knak no longer requires viewing or editing raw code.
Merge tags appear as visual pill-shaped elements instead of raw code like {{##FirstName##}}.
This keeps your emails clean. It also makes editing easier.
Multi-Map Merge Tags
Use multiple sets of merge tags across platforms without changing your workflow.
How It Works
Each platform-specific tag maps to a single pill in Knak. When you sync the asset, Knak translates it into the correct syntax for each platform automatically.
Example
If you use both Marketo and Pardot, Knak outputs the correct merge tag syntax for each platform from the same email.
Key Benefits
Create once
Deploy everywhere
No manual syntax updates
Scale across business units
Create and Edit Merge Tags
Use merge tags to personalize your content with dynamic data from your integration.
Create a New Merge Tag
Go to Admin > Integrations > Merge Tags.
Click Create Merge Tag.
Enter the token values in the input fields.
If you use Marketo and plan to add this merge tag to a dynamic section, enter the Velocity script syntax in the Velocity Script Token field. Velocity script is Marketo’s scripting language. It controls how dynamic content displays.
Edit an Existing Merge Tag
Go to Admin > Integrations > Merge Tags.
Click the merge tag you want to update.
You can click the merge tag name or the edit icon to update.
Update the token values in the input fields.
Merge Tag Preview Values in Studio
Note: This feature is currently in Alpha testing. Please reach out to maral.artang@knak.com if you would like to participate.
Assign preview values to merge tags. View them directly in Studio before sending.
This feature helps you understand exactly how your email will render. It improves visibility. It reduces guesswork when working with dynamic content.
Step 1: Set a Preview Value for a Merge Tag
Go to Admin.
Scroll down. Click Integrations.
Select Merge Tags.
Choose one option:
Click Create Merge Tag to add a new tag.
Select an existing tag to edit it.
Enter a value in the Preview Value field.
Example: If your merge tag is Lead Country, enter “Canada” as the preview value.
The preview value becomes the global default for the merge tag. You can update this value at the individual asset level if needed.
Click Save.
Note: This example value is used when previewing emails that contain merge tags, this value does not sync over to your Marketing Automation Platform.
Step 2: Use the Merge Tag in Studio
Add a Merge Tag to a Text Box
Open an asset in Studio.
Add or edit a Text Box.
Click the Tag drop down menu.
Select your merge tag to add it to your text box.
Add a Merge Tag to a Subject Line or Preview Text
Open the Subject Line or Preview Text field.
Type the # symbol.
Begin typing your merge tag name.
Select the merge tag from the list to insert it.
Step 3: Preview the Email
Click Preview.
Use the merge tag preview options to control how preview values appear:
Highlight merge tags
Show preview values
Highlight both merge tags and preview values
To update the preview value for a specific asset, enter a new value in the preview input field and press Update.
To restore the default preview value set at the merge tag level, click Reset.
This helps you confirm personalization and review formatting before you publish or export your asset.
Tag Management Options
Clean Up Tags: Remove unused system fields to simplify tag options by clicking the trash icon:
Rename Tags: Customize tag names to match internal language
Permission Control: Allow non-admins access to the Merge Tags page via role permissions.
Merge tag related permissions are:
Allow the user to view merge tags
Allows the user to create, update, and delete merge tags.
Allows the user to override merge tag default values
Adding Merge Tags to Assets
Email Body
Use the text editor’s popup tool. Click Tags to insert a merge tag into a Text Bar.
Subject Line and Preview Text
Type # followed by the tag name. Example: #FirstName.
This works in:
Theme Builder
Email Builder
Use Merge Tags for Links
You can add merge tags to links in the Link Review section to make your UTM parameters dynamic.
Add Merge Tags to UTM Fields
Use this method to dynamically populate tracking parameters.
Steps
Open your email or landing page
Click Link Review in the Actions Menu
Choose how you want to apply the parameter:
Select a single link to update one URL
Use the Global UTM section to apply parameters to all links
Enter your merge tag using this format:
{{!tag name!}}
Example
Merge tag name:
Campaign_NameUTM field value:
{{!Campaign_Name!}}
In Knak, your link will appear as:
https://example.com?utm_campaign={{!Campaign_Name!}}
At send time, Knak replaces the merge tag with the actual value. For example:
https://example.com?utm_campaign=spring_sale
Add Merge Tags Directly in a Link
Use this method when you want the merge tag inside the URL path or as a custom parameter. This option is available in the link editor, not in the Link Review section.
Steps
Open your email or landing page
Select the link in the editor
Open the Insert/Edit Link settings panel
Click the Merge Tag icon in the link field
Select your merge tag from the list
Insert the tag into your URL
Example
If your merge tag is user_id, your link may look like:
https://example.com/profile/{{!user_id!}}
At send time, the merge tag is replaced with the actual value. Example:
https://example.com/profile/12345
Troubleshooting
If a merge tag inserts an email address or URL, it will not appear clickable in Studio.
Use a Special Link to apply correct link formatting.
Need more help? Contact support via live chat within Knak using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com