Marketo Webhooks: Understanding Limitations and Workarounds for Custom Object Data
Marketo’s webhook functionality offers a robust set of features enabling seamless integration with third-party services. However, there are limitations when it comes to including custom object (CO) data in the webhook's payload. Let’s discuss a potential workaround for this along with its considerations and limitations.
Understanding Webhook Support and Custom Object References
Marketo's webhook support extends to Trigger, Program, Custom, and Person token references. However, when attempting to include custom object data in the payload sent to a third-party service via the webhook, it faces a restriction. For instance, if you have specific fields within a custom object and aim to include this data in the webhook's payload for sending it to the external service, Marketo doesn't allow direct inclusion of this information.
Workarounds for Including Custom Object Data
Maintain Separate CO Data: One workaround involves keeping a separate copy of the custom object data if the need to maintain references in an external system is essential. This approach allows for the preservation of data integrity while bypassing the limitations imposed by Marketo's webhook functionality.
Utilize Webhook-Enabled Service with REST API: Another workaround involves creating a webhook-enabled service that loops back and utilizes Marketo's REST API to read the custom objects. This method circumvents the direct inclusion issue by fetching CO data through API calls. However, it's crucial to consider the practicality of this approach, especially concerning API call limits, depending on the frequency of webhook calls made daily.
Considerations and Practical Implications
While the above workarounds provide ways to address the limitations, it's essential to weigh their practical implications. Maintaining separate copies of custom object data incurs the need for synchronization and upkeep, ensuring consistency across systems. Similarly, relying on REST API calls to retrieve CO data might encounter challenges, primarily regarding API call limits, especially in scenarios involving high-frequency webhook usage.
TL;DR
Maximizing Marketo's webhook functionality requires an understanding of its limitations, especially regarding the inclusion of custom object data in outgoing payloads. By adopting workarounds such as maintaining separate CO data or leveraging the REST API, marketers, and developers can navigate these limitations, ensuring efficient integration and data management within the Marketo ecosystem.
Remember, while workarounds offer solutions, assessing their practicality and impact on system performance is crucial to achieving optimal results within the confines of Marketo's webhook capabilities.
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