List Cleanup Tool

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How to use the List Cleanup Tool in ActiveCampaign

Introduction

The List Cleanup Tool in ActiveCampaign allows users to efficiently manage their email subscriber lists by deleting contacts based on specific criteria. This feature is particularly important for maintaining the quality and relevance of your contact lists, as it helps to remove inactive or unwanted contacts. Properly managing your email lists ensures better engagement rates and helps you comply with email marketing regulations.

This tool is designed to help you streamline your lists by allowing deletions based on contact status or specific email addresses. By utilizing the List Cleanup Tool, marketers can significantly enhance their email marketing efforts and improve deliverability by ensuring that only active and engaged contacts remain on their lists.

How to Access the List Cleanup Tool

Before you begin using the List Cleanup Tool, it's recommended to back up your data by exporting your contacts. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Click Contacts to go to the Contacts Overview page.
2. Click the ellipsis (...), then click Export.
3. Follow the instructions to export contacts from your account.

Once you have exported your contacts, follow these steps to access the List Cleanup Tool:

1. Click Contacts located on the left menu.
2. Click List Cleanup.

The List Cleanup page will load and you will be ready to manage your contacts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The List Cleanup Tool offers two primary methods for removing contacts from your lists: by status and by specific email addresses.

Remove Contacts from a List(s) by Status

This option allows you to delete contacts with a particular status before a specified date.

1. Click the List drop-down and select the list you wish to remove contacts from. To select multiple lists, press the shift key on your keyboard while clicking additional lists. 2. Click the Status drop-down and select the status you want to filter by. Note that you can only select one status at a time. 3. Click the Before this date field and choose a date from the calendar. 4. Click the Delete From List button and confirm your action in the modal pop-up.

For example, if you want to delete contacts who bounced before August 1, 2018, you would select August 1, 2018 in the Before this Date field.

Delete Specific Contacts from a List(s) by Email Address

If you want to remove specific contacts rather than a group by status, this option allows you to delete contacts based on their email addresses.

1. Type each email address you wish to delete in the Bulk Deletion box, separating multiple addresses with a comma. 2. Click the Select a list drop-down and choose the lists you wish to delete contacts from. 3. Click the Delete From List button and confirm your action.

Configuration Options and Settings

The List Cleanup Tool includes several important configuration options that help streamline the cleanup process:

• Remove Contacts by Status: This option is used to filter contacts based on their engagement status (e.g., Active, Unsubscribed, Unconfirmed, Bounced). Specify a date to further refine your selection.
• Delete Specific Contacts: This functionality allows you to enter specific email addresses for targeted deletions.

It is essential to understand that list cleanup actions are permanent and cannot be undone. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the recommended procedure of exporting your contacts before proceeding.

Best Practices and Tips

- Always perform a backup of your contact list before using the List Cleanup Tool, as deletions are irreversible. - Regularly monitor engagement rates and consider using this tool to clean inactive subscribers, which can bolster your overall email health and performance. - Consider utilizing the Engagement Management tool in conjunction with the List Cleanup Tool to remove unengaged contacts from your account effectively. - Familiarize yourself with the different contact statuses available in ActiveCampaign to make informed decisions during the cleanup process.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- A marketing team wishes to enhance engagement rates by removing contacts who have unsubscribed or bounced from the email list by a specific date. - A user specifically targets a set of contacts that have not confirmed their subscriptions and chooses to remove them before a marketing campaign launch.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using the List Cleanup Tool, consider the following tips:

- Ensure that you have the right permissions set in your ActiveCampaign account to access the List Cleanup feature. - Confirm that your desired action is within the feature limitations (e.g., no more than one status can be selected at a time when removing by status). - If you experience technical issues, consider refreshing your page or checking your internet connection.

FAQ

• Q: What types of contacts can I delete using the List Cleanup Tool?

A: You can delete contacts based on their statuses (Active, Unsubscribed, Unconfirmed, Bounced) or specific email addresses.

• Q: Is the List Cleanup Tool available for all ActiveCampaign accounts?

A: No, this feature is only available for accounts created before February 22, 2022.

• Q: Can I restore contacts after they have been deleted?

A: No, deletions made through the List Cleanup Tool are permanent and cannot be undone.

• Q: How can I backup my contacts before cleanup?

A: You can export your contacts from the Contacts Overview page by clicking the ellipsis (...), then selecting Export.

• Q: What happens if a contact is associated with multiple lists?

A: If a contact appears on multiple lists, they will only be removed from the lists you select for deletion; they will remain in your ActiveCampaign account.

• Q: What should I do if I accidentally delete the wrong contacts?

A: Unfortunately, if you have deleted contacts, you cannot restore them. It's critical to double-check your selections before confirming any deletion.

• Q: Can I edit contacts in bulk after using the List Cleanup Tool?

A: Yes, you can use the Bulk Edit tool to manage multiple contacts after performing a cleanup.

For further assistance with contact management, consider reviewing ActiveCampaign's documentation on related features. ```