> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.markifact.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Send Email (SMTP)

> Send emails using your own SMTP server like Gmail, Outlook, or any custom email provider with full control over your email delivery.

**Send Email (SMTP)** allows you to send emails through your own email provider's SMTP server, giving you complete control over email delivery. Connect Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any custom SMTP server to send professional emails directly from your workflows.

***

## When to Use It

Use this node when you:

* Want to send emails from your own domain or email address
* Need higher email delivery rates than generic email services
* Require branded email communications from your organization
* Want to use your existing email provider's infrastructure
* Need to send emails with your organization's email reputation

***

## SMTP Connection Setup

Before using this node, you need to connect your SMTP server. The setup process varies by email provider.

**💡 Pro Tip:** Consider creating a dedicated email account specifically for sending automated emails (e.g., `workflows@yourdomain.com` or `reports@yourcompany.com`). This keeps your automated emails organized and separate from your personal correspondence, while maintaining professional branding.

### Gmail Setup

**Step 1: Enable App Passwords**

1. Go to your [Google Account settings](https://myaccount.google.com/)
2. Select **Security** from the left panel
3. Under "How you sign in to Google," select **2-Step Verification** (must be enabled first)
4. At the bottom, select **App passwords** (or visit directly: [https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords](https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords))
5. Create a new app password for "Mail"

**Step 2: Configure SMTP Settings**

* **SMTP Host:** `smtp.gmail.com`
* **Port:** `587` (recommended) or `465`
* **Username:** Your full Gmail address (e.g., `yourname@gmail.com`)
* **Password:** Use the **app password** from Step 1 (not your regular Gmail password)
* **From Name:** Your name or organization name (optional)

**Important Gmail Notes:**

* Never use your regular Gmail password - always use app passwords
* If you get authentication errors, ensure 2-Step Verification is enabled
* Port 587 with TLS is recommended over port 465 with SSL

### Outlook/Hotmail Setup

**Step 1: Enable App Passwords (if 2FA is enabled)**

1. Sign in to your [Microsoft Account](https://account.microsoft.com/)
2. Go to **Security** → **Advanced security options**
3. Under **App passwords**, select **Create a new app password**
4. Choose **Email** as the app type

**Step 2: Configure SMTP Settings**

* **SMTP Host:** `smtp-mail.outlook.com`
* **Port:** `587`
* **Username:** Your full Outlook email address
* **Password:** Your Outlook password (or app password if 2FA is enabled)
* **From Name:** Your name or organization name (optional)

### Yahoo Mail Setup

**Step 1: Generate App Password**

1. Go to [Yahoo Account Security](https://login.yahoo.com/account/security)
2. Select **Generate app password**
3. Choose **Other app** and enter "Markifact"

**Step 2: Configure SMTP Settings**

* **SMTP Host:** `smtp.mail.yahoo.com`
* **Port:** `587` or `465`
* **Username:** Your full Yahoo email address
* **Password:** Use the app password from Step 1

### Custom SMTP Server

For other email providers or custom SMTP servers:

1. Contact your email provider or IT administrator for SMTP settings
2. Common settings to ask for:
   * SMTP server hostname (e.g., `mail.yourdomain.com`)
   * Port number (usually 587, 465, or 25)
   * Authentication method (usually username/password)
   * Encryption type (TLS/SSL requirements)

**Typical Port Configurations:**

* **Port 587:** STARTTLS encryption (most common and recommended)
* **Port 465:** SSL/TLS encryption (alternative)
* **Port 25:** No encryption (rarely used, often blocked)

***

## Connection Troubleshooting

### Common Issues and Solutions

**"Invalid username or password" Error:**

* For Gmail: Ensure you're using an app password, not your regular password
* For Outlook: Try generating an app password even without 2FA
* Verify the email address is typed correctly

**"Cannot connect to SMTP server" Error:**

* Verify the SMTP host address is correct
* Check if your network/firewall blocks SMTP ports
* Try different ports (587 vs 465)

**"Encryption error" Messages:**

* Port 587 typically uses STARTTLS
* Port 465 typically uses SSL/TLS
* Try switching between ports if one doesn't work

**"Authentication failed" Error:**

* Double-check username and password
* For corporate emails, verify you have SMTP access permissions
* Some providers require enabling "Less secure app access"

***

## Inputs

| Field                   | Type       | Required | Description                                                                 |
| ----------------------- | ---------- | -------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **SMTP Connection**     | Connection | Yes      | Your configured SMTP server connection                                      |
| **To**                  | Text       | Yes      | Recipient email addresses (separate multiple with commas)                   |
| **CC**                  | Text       | No       | Carbon copy recipients (separate multiple with commas)                      |
| **Subject**             | Text       | Yes      | Email subject line (max 100 characters)                                     |
| **Body Type**           | Select     | Yes      | Choose Text/Markdown or HTML format                                         |
| **Body**                | Text Area  | Yes      | Email content (2-40,000 characters)                                         |
| **Include Attachment**  | Switch     | No       | Add data from previous steps as file attachment                             |
| **Attachment Format**   | Select     | No\*     | File format: CSV, PDF, Text, or JSON (\*Required if attachment enabled)     |
| **Attachment Data**     | Text Area  | No\*     | Select data from previous workflow steps (\*Required if attachment enabled) |
| **Attachment Filename** | Text       | No\*     | Filename without extension (\*Required if attachment enabled)               |

***

## How It Works

This node connects to your SMTP server to send emails using your own email infrastructure. Unlike generic email services, this gives you:

* **Full control** over sender reputation and deliverability
* **Branded communications** from your own domain
* **Higher delivery rates** using established email providers
* **Professional appearance** with your organization's email address

### Body Type Options

**Text/Markdown:**

* Plain text with optional Markdown formatting
* Supports **bold**, *italic*, lists, and links
* Best for simple, readable emails
* Markdown output from AI nodes is automatically formatted

**HTML:**

* Full HTML email support
* Complete control over styling and layout
* Perfect for branded email templates
* Requires HTML knowledge for advanced formatting

***

## Attachments

When **Include Attachment** is enabled, you can attach data from previous workflow steps as files.

### Supported Formats

| Format   | Best For                            | Notes                     |
| -------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **CSV**  | Spreadsheet data, reports           | Opens in Excel/Sheets     |
| **PDF**  | Professional reports, presentations | Print-ready format        |
| **Text** | Simple data exports, logs           | Plain text format         |
| **JSON** | Technical data, API responses       | Developer-friendly format |

### Attachment Rules

* Filename can only contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores
* File extension is automatically added based on format
* Attachment size limits depend on your SMTP provider's restrictions

***

## Output

The node returns:

* **Success status** - Whether the email was sent successfully
* **Message ID** - Unique identifier for the sent email
* **Recipients** - List of email addresses that received the message
* **Timestamp** - When the email was sent
* **SMTP Response** - Server response from your email provider

***

## Credit Cost

This node costs 0 credits - you're using your own SMTP server infrastructure.

***

## FAQ

<Accordion title="What's the difference between this and the regular Send Email node?">
  The regular Send Email node uses Markifact's email service (@markifactmail.com addresses), while Send Email (SMTP) uses your own email provider. With SMTP, emails come from your own domain/address, giving you better deliverability and professional branding.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Why should I use my own SMTP server instead of Markifact's email service?">
  Using your own SMTP server provides several benefits:

  * Emails come from your own domain/email address
  * Better deliverability using your established sender reputation
  * Professional branding and trust with recipients
  * No limits on recipient domains
  * Full control over email infrastructure
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I use a free Gmail account for SMTP?">
  Yes! Gmail offers free SMTP access. Just make sure to:

  1. Enable 2-Step Verification on your Google account
  2. Generate an app password specifically for email applications
  3. Use the app password (not your regular Gmail password) in the connection
  4. Use smtp.gmail.com with port 587
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="I'm getting authentication errors with Gmail. What should I do?">
  Gmail authentication issues are usually caused by:

  1. **Using regular password instead of app password** - Always use app passwords for third-party applications
  2. **2-Step Verification not enabled** - This is required for app passwords
  3. **Incorrect server settings** - Use smtp.gmail.com:587 with your app password

  Follow the Gmail setup instructions above carefully, especially the app password generation steps.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="My company email isn't working. What could be wrong?">
  Corporate email systems often have additional security:

  1. **Ask your IT administrator** for SMTP server settings
  2. **Verify SMTP access is allowed** for your account
  3. **Check firewall restrictions** - some networks block SMTP ports
  4. **Try different ports** - your company might use non-standard ports
  5. **Authentication method** - some require OAuth instead of password authentication
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="What if my SMTP provider has sending limits?">
  Most SMTP providers have daily/hourly sending limits:

  * **Gmail:** 500 emails per day for free accounts
  * **Outlook:** 300 emails per day for personal accounts
  * **Corporate accounts:** Limits vary by organization

  Monitor your usage and consider upgrading your email plan if you need higher limits. The node will show errors if you exceed your provider's limits.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I send emails with attachments using SMTP?">
  Yes! The attachment feature works the same way as the regular email node. You can attach data from previous workflow steps in CSV, PDF, TXT, or JSON formats. Keep in mind that attachment size limits depend on your SMTP provider (Gmail allows up to 25MB attachments).
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Is it secure to enter my email password in Markifact?">
  Yes, with important security notes:

  1. **Always use app passwords** instead of your main email password
  2. **Your credentials are encrypted** and stored securely
  3. **App passwords can be revoked** anytime from your email provider
  4. **Credentials are only used** to connect to your SMTP server

  Never share your main email password - app passwords provide secure, limited access specifically for email sending.
</Accordion>