Expedited list cleanup

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Perform an expedited list cleanup with automation

Introduction

The Expedited list cleanup feature in ActiveCampaign is designed to help users efficiently manage their contact lists by unsubscribing contacts who have not engaged with their campaigns over a specified period, typically the last 90 days. This functionality is particularly valuable for marketers looking to maintain a clean and effective mailing list. By removing unengaged contacts, businesses can improve their overall engagement rates and streamline future marketing efforts.

Moreover, while 90 days is the standard recommendation for inactivity, you can customize this time window to better suit your organization’s specific needs. For teams that prefer a more proactive approach, sending a win-back email to these unengaged contacts before initiating the unsubscribe process is advisable.

How to Access this Feature

To access the Expedited list cleanup feature, you need to have an ActiveCampaign plan that includes access to the Automations feature. This feature is available for users on the Pro and Enterprise plans. Once you log into your ActiveCampaign account, you can navigate to the Automations section to begin creating your list cleanup automation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to set up an automation for expedited list cleanup:

Build the Automation

1. Navigate to Automations from your ActiveCampaign dashboard and click the Create an automation button. 2. In the pop-up modal, select Start from Scratch and then click Continue. 3. (Optional) Click the node (+) in the automation workflow where you want to add a tag. Under the Contacts section, select the Add a tag action. This tag can be named something like [Unengaged] Expedited List Cleanup DATE to indicate when and how these contacts have unsubscribed. 4. Click the node (+) where you want to add the Unsubscribe action. Then, under Contacts, click the Unsubscribe action and select the checkbox next to List name to unsubscribe the contact from all lists in your account. 5. Set the automation to Active. Keep in mind that contacts cannot be added to this automation unless you manually add them.

Create an Advanced Search

1. Navigate to Contacts > Search bar > Advanced Search. 2. Set the following conditions for your advanced search:

  * Is subscribed to list (active) - At least one list AND
  * Has been sent - Campaign - Any campaign - In the last - 90 - Days AND
  * Has not opened - Campaign - Any campaign - In the last - 90 - Days AND
  * Has not clicked on a link - Campaign - Any link - In the last - 90 - Days AND
  * Has not replied - Campaign - Any campaign - In the last - 90 - Days

3. Click the Search button. The results will display all contacts that meet your search criteria.

Bulk Add Contacts to Your Automation

1. From the results of your advanced search, click the Edit all button to select all contacts shown. 2. A modal window will open. Choose the Add to an automation option and select the automation you created earlier to unsubscribe contacts. 3. Click the Add button, then hit Apply. 4. Confirm the bulk update in the new modal by clicking the Apply changes button. 5. Finally, close the modal window by clicking OK.

Once this process is complete, the selected contacts will be tagged and unsubscribed from all lists in your account.

Configuration Options and Settings

While configuring your automated cleanup process, here are some key aspects to consider:

• **Automation Workflow**: Use variables, such as tags, to track when contacts are added to the automation.
• **Advanced Search Criteria**: Tailor your search conditions based on your specific needs for engagement metrics.
• **Timing of Unsubscription**: Adjust the inactivity period from 90 days if necessary to align with business goals, allowing for a cleanup timeframe of 30 or 60 days.

Best Practices and Tips

- Before executing the expedited cleanup, consider initially sending a win-back email to encourage unengaged contacts to engage with your content again. - Regularly evaluate the previously unsubscribed contacts to analyze patterns and adjust your engagement strategies. - Implement additional automations for:

 * Tracking contacts' last engagement dates.
 * Unsubscribing contacts who become unengaged within the first 90 days after being added.
 * Performing ongoing cleanup of unengaged contacts over the last 6 months or year.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Marketing Campaigns**: Use expedited cleanup between major marketing campaigns to ensure you're only targeting engaged subscribers. - **Segmenting Lists for High Engagement**: After cleaning up your list, resegment your contacts for personalized campaigns, knowing that you're targeting only those who are interested. - **Analyzing Engagement Metrics**: By regularly cleaning your list, track which campaigns yield the best engagement rates and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during the expedited list cleanup process, consider the following:

- Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access custom contact fields and the Automations feature. - Verify that the automation is set to Active; otherwise, contacts will not be added to the workflow. - Double-check the conditions set in your advanced search to make sure they accurately reflect the intended audience.

Related Features

- For more on ways to engage previous subscribers, visit the documentation on Use automation to win back subscribers. - For ongoing list maintenance, check out the article on Use automation to track contacts' last engaged dates and perform ongoing list cleanup.

FAQ

Q1: Can I customize the timeframe for cleaning up my list? A1: Yes, while 90 days is the recommended period, you can adjust it to 30 or 60 days to better fit your business needs.

Q2: What happens if I accidentally unsubscribe a contact? A2: Once a contact is unsubscribed, they will need to sign up again to be added back to your lists.

Q3: Is there a way to monitor which contacts have been unsubscribed? A3: Yes, utilizing tags in your automation can help you track when contacts were unsubscribed.

Q4: How often should I perform a list cleanup? A4: This varies per business, but regular cleanups (quarterly or biannually) are recommended to maintain list health.

Q5: Can I send a win-back email after contacts are added to the cleanup automation? A5: Typically, you should send the win-back email before adding contacts to the unsubscribe automation.

Q6: Do I need a premium plan to access the expedited cleanup feature? A6: Yes, this feature is only available on the Pro and Enterprise plans.

Q7: Can I add other actions to the automation aside from unsubscribing? A7: Yes, you can customize the automation with additional actions such as tagging or updating contact information.

By following these steps and best practices with the Expedited list cleanup feature, you can effectively manage your contact lists and enhance your email marketing efforts.