## Overview

Digital PR now supports a wide range of email providers, so you can send outreach campaigns from the inbox you already use. Connect **Gmail**, **Microsoft 365 / Outlook**, **Zoho**, **iCloud**, **Yahoo**, **Fastmail**, **GoDaddy**, **Bluehost**, **Namecheap**, or any **custom domain** using SMTP.

There are two ways to connect, depending on your provider:

- **OAuth** — a one-click secure login (Gmail and Microsoft 365). Recommended whenever available.
- **SMTP / IMAP** — username and password (or app password) for all other providers.

## Before you start

- Make sure you have admin access to the email account you want to connect.
- If your provider uses two-factor authentication, you'll likely need an **app password** instead of your normal password.
- Use a dedicated sending inbox for outreach to protect your primary domain's deliverability.

## How to open the Connect Email modal

1. Go to **Digital PR** in Search Atlas.
2. Open **Settings > Email Accounts**.
3. Click **Connect Email**.
4. Select your provider from the catalogue.

## Connecting via OAuth (Gmail & Microsoft 365)

1. Select **Gmail** or **Microsoft 365** in the modal.
2. Click **Continue with Google** or **Continue with Microsoft**.
3. Sign in with the account you want to connect.
4. Approve the requested permissions: **send** (so Search Atlas can deliver your outreach emails on your behalf) and **read / manage outreach replies** (so we can detect inbound replies, thread them to the correct campaign, and pause sequences automatically when a prospect responds). Search Atlas only reads messages tied to your outreach campaigns.
5. You'll be redirected back to Search Atlas with your inbox connected.

**Tip:** If you use Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 with strict admin policies, your IT admin may need to whitelist Search Atlas first. Google Workspace admins can approve Search Atlas under **Admin Console > Security > Access and data control > API controls > App access control**. Microsoft 365 admins can approve it under **Entra ID > Enterprise applications**. If your admin needs the exact OAuth client ID or app identifier, contact Search Atlas support and we'll provide it.

## Connecting via SMTP / IMAP

Use this method for Zoho, iCloud, Yahoo, Fastmail, GoDaddy, Bluehost, Namecheap, or any custom domain.

1. Select your provider (or choose **Custom / Other**).
2. Enter your **email address** and **password** (or app password — see below).
3. For known providers, SMTP and IMAP server settings are filled in automatically. For custom domains, enter:

   - **SMTP host** and **port** (usually 465 SSL or 587 TLS)
   - **IMAP host** and **port** (usually 993 SSL)
4. Click **Test & Connect**. We'll verify both sending and receiving before saving.

### Threading mode

When you connect an email account, the Connect Email modal includes a **Threading mode** dropdown. This setting controls how Search Atlas reads and groups inbound replies into conversation threads for the provider you're connecting, and it applies to every email account linked under that provider — not just the inbox you're currently adding.

If you're unsure which option to choose, leave the default selected; you can revisit this setting later from **Settings > Email Accounts**. If replies aren't threading correctly after connecting, try switching the mode and reconnecting. (Reach out to support if you'd like guidance on which mode best matches your provider's IMAP/threading behavior.)

### Where to find an app password

- **iCloud:** appleid.apple.com > Sign-In & Security > App-Specific Passwords
- **Yahoo:** Account Security > Generate app password
- **Zoho:** Account > Security > App Passwords
- **Fastmail:** Settings > Privacy & Security > App Passwords
- **GoDaddy / Bluehost / Namecheap:** use your standard mailbox password from your hosting control panel

## Common pitfalls

- **"Authentication failed"** — You're using your regular password on an account that requires an app password. Generate one and try again.
- **OAuth blocked by admin** — Ask your Workspace or Microsoft 365 admin to approve Search Atlas as a trusted app.
- **Wrong SMTP port** — Try 587 (TLS) if 465 (SSL) fails, or vice versa.
- **Custom domain not connecting** — Confirm your hosting provider has IMAP enabled; some shared hosts disable it by default.
- **Two-factor authentication errors** — SMTP cannot bypass 2FA. You must use an app password.

## Next steps

- **Verify the connection:** After saving, the inbox should appear with a green "Connected" status under **Settings > Email Accounts**. Click the inbox and use **Send test email** to confirm sending works end-to-end; the test message should arrive in the destination inbox within a minute.
- Set your **sender name** and **signature** in Email Account settings.
- Warm up new inboxes before launching large campaigns to protect deliverability.
- Connect multiple inboxes to rotate sending and increase daily volume.
- Head to **Campaigns** to start your first outreach sequence using the connected inbox as the sender.

Need to disconnect or re-authenticate? Open **Settings > Email Accounts**, click the inbox, and choose **Reconnect** or **Remove**.