What is Gmail Salesforce Integration?
Organizations choose Gmail Salesforce Integration to eliminate context-switching between the inbox and CRM. The integration brings Salesforce data directly into Gmail via a side panel, allowing sales teams to view Contact/Lead records, create new records, log emails, and access campaign information without leaving their inbox. The Chrome extension (Sales Cloud Everywhere) is free. Enhanced features require Salesforce Inbox ($25/user/month) or Einstein Activity Capture with advanced analytics ($50/user/month).
Integration Methods and Setup:
Gmail connects to Salesforce through multiple methods: (1) Chrome Extension (Sales Cloud Everywhere)—free, adds Salesforce side panel to Gmail for viewing/creating records and logging emails. (2) Einstein Activity Capture—automatically captures emails and calendar events, syncs contacts bidirectionally, stores data on AWS (6-month email retention for Gmail). (3) Salesforce Inbox—$25/user/month add-on with email tracking, scheduling, templates, and advanced productivity tools.
Setup steps: In Salesforce Setup, search 'Gmail Integration and Sync' → Enable Gmail Integration → Enable Enhanced Email for richer logging. Install the Salesforce Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store. For Einstein Activity Capture: assign permission sets, create a configuration, and connect Google Workspace accounts via OAuth.
Key Integration Challenges:
Einstein Activity Capture stores email data on Amazon Web Services (AWS), not as native Salesforce records—activity data isn't reportable via standard Salesforce reports and disappears from timelines if EAC is deactivated. Gmail email retention is limited to 6 months (vs. 2 years for Outlook). Custom objects aren't supported for automatic email association.
The Chrome extension only works in Google Chrome—other browsers aren't supported. Email open and click tracking is only viewable in Salesforce, not directly in Gmail, potentially missing buyer signals. Attachments don't sync. If employees leave or licenses change, historical activity data stored in AWS may be lost. Email analytics and AI insights require paid Einstein Activity Capture ($50/user/month).
Native Platform Advantages:
Native Salesforce email platforms eliminate external integration complexity entirely. Engagement data stores directly on Contact and Lead records as native Salesforce objects—fully reportable, no AWS dependency, no 6-month retention limits. Campaign membership and email metrics appear in real-time using standard reporting. No Chrome extension dependency, no per-user add-on fees—just unified email marketing within Salesforce.
Key Takeaways
- Gmail Salesforce Integration uses the free Chrome extension (Sales Cloud Everywhere) for basic CRM access in Gmail
- Einstein Activity Capture auto-syncs emails/calendar but stores data in AWS with 6-month retention
- Advanced features require Salesforce Inbox ($25/user/month) or Einstein with analytics ($50/user/month)
- Native Salesforce email platforms eliminate AWS storage, retention limits, and provide full reporting without per-user add-ons
Stop paying per-user add-on fees for email features. MassMailer provides native Salesforce email marketing with real-time engagement tracking, instant Campaign updates, full reporting, and unlimited data retention—all without Chrome extension dependency or AWS storage limitations.
