Overview
Dynamic content lets you show different email content to different audiences. Knak connects to Marketo variables and segmentations to control these variations.
Prerequisites
Before configuring dynamic content, update the API user role permissions in Marketo.
Required permissions:
Read-Only Lead (sometimes listed as Read-Only Person)
Read-Only Custom Object
Without these permissions, dynamic content variables may not sync correctly.
Set-Up Dynamic Content Video
Walkthrough video of Dynamic Content from Knak to Marketo:
Configure Marketo Dynamic Content
Follow these steps to connect Marketo variables and segmentations to Knak.
1. Open Dynamic Content Settings
Navigate to Admin → Integrations → Platforms.
Locate the Marketo integration tile.
Click Dynamic Content Settings Icon.
2. Create the Knak Variables Configuration Token
Create a configuration token to store the Marketo variables used for dynamic content.
Select the Marketo folder where the token will be created.
Create this token in a top-level folder within your default workspace.
Accessible to all subfolders
Easier to manage across multiple programs
Click Create New Config.
Knak automatically creates a Marketo token called:
{{my.Knak Variables}}This token stores the variables and segmentations that Knak can access for dynamic content.
3. Add the Tokens in Marketo
Click Add beside the configuration token.
A new Marketo tab will open.
Navigate to the selected folder.
Locate and edit the token: {{my.Knak Variables}}
Double-click the token to enable editing
4. Add Variables or Segments
Add the variables or segmentations you want to use for dynamic content.
Steps:
Drag variables from the right panel into the Script Editor.
Confirm the variables appear in the script area.
Ensure each variable is checked in the right panel.
You can add:
Lead variables (example:
Lead.City)Marketo segmentations
Click Save.
You have to save in both the popup modal and from the My Tokens page.
5. Sync Variables From Marketo Into Knak
After saving the token:
Return to Dynamic Content Settings in Knak.
Click Sync.
Knak imports the configured variables from Marketo. Hover over a variable to see:
Variable syntax
Variable type
Variables may have different colors:
Blue (Segmentation) - Marketo segmentation variables
Orange (Custom) - Custom object variables
Grey (Default) - Standard variables
How Dynamic Content Sync Works
When you sync an email that contains dynamic content from Knak to Marketo, Knak automatically creates a Knak Dynamic Element token at the Program level.
The token appears as:
{{my.Knak Dynamic Element}}This token contains the velocity script used to render the dynamic content blocks in the email. Marketo uses this token to determine which content variation should appear for each audience segment.
⚠️ Important: Do not remove or edit this token. Removing the token will break the rendering of dynamic content.
Where the Token Appears in Marketo After Syncing an Email to Marketo
The token is created in the Program that contains the synced email.
To locate the token:
Open your Marketo Program.
Click the My Tokens tab.
Locate: {{my.Knak Dynamic Element}}
Using Tokens in Dynamic Segments
Configure Merge Tags in Admin Settings
If you want to use Marketo tokens inside dynamic content segments, you must configure the merge tags in Admin Settings.
This step allows Knak to recognize the variables stored in the {{my.Knak Variables}} token.
Open Merge Tag Settings
Navigate to Admin → Settings.
Locate the Merge Tags section.
Edit a merge tag or create a new one. Learn more about Merge Tags.
Add the variables you want to use in dynamic content.
When using tokens inside dynamic segments, use this syntax:
${<Velocity Script Token Name>}Example:
${Lead.Country}If you’re unsure what the velocity script token should be, review script tokens in Marketo:
Points to Consider
Program Location
Tokens are created at the Program level
Send emails from the same Program
Smart Campaign must match the Program
Workspace Access
Ensure segmentations are shared across workspaces
Token Size Limit
Max size: 100 KB
Use the Optimize tab in Knak to review the Velocity script used in your email
Check the script size before sending to avoid exceeding the limit
Reduce Token Size
Split dynamic and static content
Remove tokens from plain text version
Limit dynamic content usage
Next Steps
Your Marketo integration is now configured for Dynamic Content.
Once your integration is configured, the workflow for building Dynamic Content in Knak is the same across all supported integrations. Use the resources below to learn how to create audience segments, add Dynamic Content to emails, and manage Dynamic Content experiences in Knak.
Add Dynamic Content to Emails
Learn how to:
Add Dynamic Content to content blocks
Add Dynamic Content at the email level
Prioritize audience segments
Preview Dynamic Content in Knak
Remove Dynamic Content from content blocks
Global and Local Segments
Learn how to:
Understand the differences between Global and Local Segments
Create Global Segments and Local Segments
Define segment rules and conditions
Review segmentation examples and use cases
➡️ Dynamic Content | Global and Local Segments
Troubleshooting Marketo Dynamic Content
Having trouble with Dynamic Content? Review Marketo FAQs and Troubleshooting for help with:
Variable syncing issues
Global Segment mapping issues
Default content displaying unexpectedly
Token size limitations
Marketo token configuration
Need more help? Contact Support via live chat within Knak using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com.