> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.impact.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.impact.com/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/advocate-program/advocate-program-settings/set-up-an-advocate-smtp-email-integration.md).

# Set Up an Advocate SMTP Email Integration

To manage notification emails, you can either set up your own Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server and disable Advocate's email notifications or use Advocate's built-in service with a custom *From* address by [configuring a custom domain](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/advocate-program/manage-advocate-participant-experiences/set-up-a-domain-for-advocate.md) for your emails.

#### Notification email types

Two actions can be used when configuring the [program rules](/brand/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/advocate-program/getting-started-with-advocate/advocate-program-rules-explained.md) that will trigger an email:

* **Email action:** This action will send an email when the email rule is triggered in the program rules.
* **Reward:** When a reward is created from a rule that is triggered, it will also trigger an email.

Additionally, some emails can be triggered for the following reasons:

* **Verification email:** Used by microsites and widgets to verify that the email provided by the user is valid.
* **Password Reset:** Used by microsites to reset the user's password.
* **W9 notification:** Used by the program to indicate that the user has earned more than $599 USD in rewards in a single calendar year and needs to provide a W9.
* **Payout Reminder Email:** Sent to users who have earned a cash reward and need to return to the widget or microsite to provide their tax and banking details.

#### Connect an SMTP server to your program

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** When you use a custom SMTP server, you are responsible for ensuring your custom SMTP server can appropriately authenticate emails for your chosen *From* domains to avoid emails from being put in recipients' spam folders or not being delivered at all.
{% endhint %}

1. From the left navigation menu, select ![](/files/DjOXWjXmcSgOhqdcnwJv) **\[User Profile]** → **Settings**.
2. In the left column below *Advocate Settings*, select **Integrations**.
3. Navigate to *Custom SMTP Email Server*, select ![](/files/TqIitC28MzeV7g6Ua9im) **\[Expand]** to expand the section, and input the details of your SMTP server. The required fields are:
   * **SMTP Server Hostname and Port:** The address of the outgoing mail server and port used to send emails.
   * **Authentication Method:** Options include *None*, *Transport Layer Security (TLS)*, and *Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)*.
   * **Test Connection from Address** (*Optional)*: Provide a *From* email address to test your SMTP server.
   * **Username and Password:** The username and password you would use to log in to your email address for the selected account.
4. Select **Connect** to connect the SMTP server to your program.
5. Once enabled, you can send a test to ensure the connection is set up correctly.


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