Action Updates

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Navigation: Main_Page > ActiveCampaign Release Notes > 2024 Release Notes > Action Updates

Action Updates: Split, Start/End, Add Note, and More

Introduction

As part of ActiveCampaign's continued improvements to the automation experience, the September 2024 release introduces significant **Action Updates** to several widely used automation actions. These enhancements bring visual and functional refinements to the **Split**, **Start/End Other Automation**, **Add Contact and Deal Note**, and **Site Message** actions.

By focusing on UI clarity, personalization accessibility, and advanced segmentation, these updates streamline how users create and manage dynamic, targeted automations. With these changes, marketers and businesses can build automations faster, test variations with greater control, and deliver personalized communication more reliably.

This article provides a detailed overview of the updated actions, explains how to access them, and offers best practices for using each within your automation workflows.

How to Access Updated Actions

The enhanced automation actions are available across all ActiveCampaign plan types, including **Starter**, **Plus**, **Professional**, and **Enterprise**. These updates are integrated into the **Automations** workspace and affect how you configure certain actions when building or editing an automation.

To access the updated action interfaces:

  1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account.
  2. Go to the top navigation panel and click on **Automations**.
  3. Create a new automation or open an existing one.
  4. Within the workflow builder, click the **+** icon to add a new action.
  5. Select one of the updated actions: **Split**, **Start Other Automation**, **End Other Automation**, **Add Contact Note**, **Add Deal Note**, or **Site Message**.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Each Updated Action

Split Action

The **Split** action now has a dedicated section in the automation builder, distinct from **Even Split**, allowing enhanced targeting through segmentation criteria.

To configure the new **Split** action:

  1. In the automation builder, click on the **+** icon.
  2. Choose **Conditions and Workflow** > **Split**.
  3. Select either **Even Split** or **Conditional Split**.
  4. For **Conditional Split**, set criteria using the new **Segmentation Builder**, which now supports:
  - **Campaign Event Time Windows**
  - **Custom Objects**
  - **1:1 Emails**

This enhanced segmentation provides greater flexibility for targeting specific audiences within an automation path.

Start/End Other Automation Actions

Previously, selecting automations involved scrolling through long dropdown menus. The updated interface presents a clean, visual list including previews, names, and labels for both **active** and **inactive** automations.

To configure:

  1. In the automation builder, click the **+** icon.
  2. Choose **Conditions and Workflow** > **Start Another Automation** or **End Another Automation**.
  3. Use the streamlined interface to select from a list of automations.
  4. Click to preview or confirm by selecting the automation.

This new visual selection improves navigation and ensures production automations can be triggered or exited with fewer errors and greater intent.

Add Contact and Deal Note Actions

The **Add Note** actions now support easier access to personalization. You can include dynamic content using a wide variety of tags.

To configure a note action:

  1. Click on the **+** icon in the automation workflow.
  2. Go to **CRM** > **Add Contact Note** or **Add Deal Note**.
  3. In the note editor, use the **Personalization Tag** selector to insert customized values.
  4. Available tags now include:
  - **Contact Fields**
  - **Deal Fields**
  - **Account Fields**
  - **Custom Object Fields**

This update lets your internal notes be more descriptive and actionable, adapting based on the contact’s individual details.

Site Message Action

The **Site Message** action has undergone a complete layout redesign for better usability and customization.

Steps to configure:

  1. Add the **Site Message** action within your automation.
  2. Choose whether to create a new message or select an existing one.
  3. Specify message placement using the updated interface:
  - Determine where on the webpage it will appear (e.g., top, bottom, overlay)
  - Select visual effects (slide in, fade, etc.)
  1. Customize targeting criteria as needed (e.g., returning visitors or subscribers).

This improvement makes it easier to deliver contextually relevant site experiences without needing technical workarounds.

Configuration Options and Settings

Each updated action includes unique configuration enhancements:

  • Split Action:
 - Even Split or Conditional Split
 - Segmentation Builder (with new segment types)
  • Start/End Automation:
 - Visual selection interface with **automation previews**, organized by status
  • Add Contact/Deal Note:
 - Insert dynamic values using the expanded Personalization Tag Selector
 - Tags available for **Contacts**, **Deals**, **Accounts**, and **Custom Objects**
  • Site Message:
 - Select placement and visual effects
 - Choose from saved messages or create a new one
 - Define advanced display settings, such as timing or frequency

Best Practices and Tips

To maximize the value of these updates:

  • Use the Conditional Split with new segment types like **Campaign Event Time Window** to customize experiences based on campaign interactions.
  • Label your automations clearly—this helps when browsing the new visual list under **Start/End Other Automation**.
  • Take advantage of the expanded **personalization tags** to create detailed internal context for your contacts and deals.
  • Keep message design concise in **Site Messages**, and utilize newly added placement options to minimize user disruption.
  • Test automation branches regularly using the **Split Action** to optimize outcomes with data-backed decisions.

Common Use Cases with Examples

  • **A/B Testing Welcome Sequences**: Use the enhanced **Split Action** to test different email sequences depending on engagement behavior.
  • **Re-Engagement Based on Campaign Activity**: Use **Conditional Split** to create re-engagement flows for contacts active within specific **Campaign Event Time Windows**.
  • **Triggering Coordinated Campaigns**: Leverage **Start Other Automation** to initiate a follow-up series from a product availability trigger.
  • **Internal CRM Coordination**: Use **Add Deal Note** to notify sales of contact activity with personalization like "Viewed Site Message on Product Page".
  • **On-Site Promotions**: Deploy **Site Messages** that show discount codes only to returning visitors based on their automation path.

Troubleshooting

If you experience issues using the updated automation actions:

  • Make sure your automation is **active** or in **editing mode** to apply and test changes.
  • If an automation option doesn’t appear under **Start/End Automation**, verify that it exists in your account and hasn’t been deleted.
  • Site Messages may not appear on your site if the placement settings are not compatible with your site layout—check message type and visibility rules.
  • If personalization tags don’t populate, confirm that the appropriate field values exist for the contact or deal at runtime.

Related Features

For additional depth on related functionality, see:

Also see these dedicated guides:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are these action updates available to all users?

Yes. These enhancements are available to users on all plan types, including Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise.

What’s the difference between the new Split options and the older version?

The new **Split Action** includes a dedicated area for **Even Split** and **Conditional Split**, with a more robust segmentation builder and access to new data dimensions like **Custom Objects** and **1:1 Emails**.

Can I preview automations when selecting them using the Start/End Other Automation action?

Yes. The updated interface includes previews, showing names and labels to help you select the correct automation without scrolling blind through dropdowns.

What types of personalization tags are supported in note actions?

Tags from **Contacts**, **Deals**, **Accounts**, and **Custom Objects** can now be added directly via the **Note Editor**, making note content adaptable to each recipient’s data.

Will existing notes or automations break due to these updates?

No. These are enhancements to the interface and flexibility of actions. Your existing automations will continue functioning as configured. You may, however, benefit from revisiting them to take advantage of the new features.

Are Site Message fields different now?

Yes. The new layout allows for visual customization of **location**, **display effects**, and better message management, all within a simplified setup flow.

Where can I learn more about these features?

Refer to the Automation guide, or visit the individual action documentation provided in the Resources section above. You can also explore platform updates on the ActiveCampaign Release Updates page.

These Action Updates are part of ActiveCampaign’s mission to streamline intelligent marketing automation. By using these redesigned tools, you can implement faster, more effective campaigns with fewer missteps, personalized outcomes, and higher engagement.

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