🔍 What Is This Error?
When connecting your email account to Search Atlas, you may encounter an SMTP authentication failed error or an IMAP connection failure. This typically appears when linking a Google (Gmail or Google Workspace) account and prevents outgoing or incoming email from syncing correctly.
This error is not caused by your browser cache or cookies. It is almost always related to account security settings or app permissions. Follow the steps below to attempt to resolve it.
⚙️ Step 1: Check Your Google Account Security Settings
Google has strict security controls that block connections from third-party apps using basic username and password authentication. To allow Search Atlas to connect, you need to verify the following:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If 2FA is enabled on your Google account, you may need to use an App Password instead of your regular password (see Step 2).
- Account permissions: Confirm the Google account you are connecting is the same one you use to sign in to Search Atlas.
🔑 Step 2: Generate a Google App Password
An App Password is a 16-character code that can give Search Atlas secure access to your Google account without exposing your main password. To create one, navigate to your Google Account security settings, locate the 2-Step Verification section (you must have 2FA enabled), and look for the App passwords option. Follow Google's on-screen prompts to generate a password for use with Search Atlas.
Once you have your App Password, return to your email connection settings in Search Atlas and re-enter your credentials using this App Password in place of your regular password.
📋 Step 3: If the Issue Persists, Contact Support
Because SMTP/IMAP authentication failures in Search Atlas can stem from account-specific configuration details that vary by setup, some cases require hands-on assistance from our team. Before reaching out, please have the following ready to help us resolve your issue as quickly as possible:
- The exact error message you are seeing
- The email address you are trying to connect
- Whether your account uses standard Gmail or Google Workspace
- Whether two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on the account
- Any steps you have already tried
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.