Template and content validation errors act as a safeguard to prevent campaign activation or mailing deployment when errors are detected in your email structure, tracking, or personalization. If your mailing is blocked from sending, this article will help you identify and fix the specific validation error.

How to identify the error

Click the Mailing Check button in the Email Editor and review the error message in the Mailing Check summary. It will specify the field, the section (Subject, Body, etc.), and the failure type (syntax or missing requirement).

Common validation errors and how to fix them

Missing Opt-Out link

Acoustic requires an Opt-Out link to be present in every mailing. Using a standard profile center link alone may not satisfy the One-Click Unsubscribe or specific compliance checks.

Fix: Ensure your template includes an Opt-Out link or the %%unsub_center_url%% tag. Insert it via the Insert Special Link menu in the Email Editor.

Invalid or missing personalization tags

Validation fails if you use personalization tags (e.g., %%First_Name%%) that do not exist in the associated database, or if the tag syntax is incorrect.

Fix: Ensure all personalization tags are enclosed in double percent signs (e.g., %%Field_Name%%) and that each field exists in the associated database.

Unnamed links

Every tracked hyperlink in the Email Editor must have a Link Name assigned in the Link Manager. A missing link name will trigger a validation error and block the send.

Fix: Open the Link Manager and ensure the Link Name column is fully populated for every link.

Dynamic Content with no Default rule

If a Dynamic Content rule has no Default content set, validation may fail or the mailing may not send for contacts who don't meet any of the defined criteria — resulting in those contacts receiving a blank mailing.

Fix: Review all Dynamic Content rules and ensure each one has a Default rule defined.

How to resolve validation errors

1. Click the Mailing Check button in the Email Editor.
2. Click the error link in the summary to jump directly to the problematic element.
3. Correct the error, click Save, and re-run the Mailing Check.
4. Once you see No errors found, you are cleared to Send or Automate.