External content in A/B tests

You can add content connections to email messages that you send as part of an A/B test. The external content that is connected to the winning split is the version that is included with the final mailing.

A/B tests often determine the winner at least in part that is based on differences in content. It is important to consider when content connections retrieve content in each A/B split. If any of the splits link to content that might change during the A/B test, plan content retrieval to ensure that the correct content is included in the test.

The start of the split does not affect connections that are configured to retrieve content when the message is published. You must publish the email communication before you add it to a split. Changes to content after you publish the message are not included in the split results.

When the A/B test finishes and a winner is declared, the system sends the content that was retrieved for the winning split. The system does not refresh the content with current content from the FTP or web server. The external content that was retrieved when the winning split started to run is included in the final mailing.
Note: You cannot include external content in an email message that is sent as part of an A/B test.