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How to create and manage automation rules in ConvertKit
How to create and manage automation rules in ConvertKit

Learn how to set up a automation rule in ConvertKit, view its trigger history, and disable or delete it.

Updated over a week ago

A step-by-step guide to setting up and managing your automation rules

Automation rules help you automate email workflows using a simple "If this happens, then do that" thought process. If automation rules are what you need, let's get into how you can set them up and manage them after that!

We'll cover:

How to create an automation rule

Click the Automate tab in the top navigation, followed by Rules.

Click the + New rule button at the top right to create a new rule.

You will see a screen that looks like this:

Set a trigger for your automation rule

A trigger is an event that will cause your automation rule to run. The available triggers are:

  • Subscribes to a sequence: When a subscriber subscribes to a sequence

  • Subscribes to a form: When a subscriber subscribes to a form or landing page

  • Completes a sequence: When a subscriber completes a sequence

  • Clicks a link: When a subscriber clicks a link

  • Tag added: When a tag is added to a subscriber

  • Tag removed: When a tag is removed from a subscriber

  • Purchases a product: When a user buys a product through a third-party provider you’ve integrated with ConvertKit, such as Shopify and Teachable

Select the appropriate trigger for your needs, then set it up.

For example, if you want your automation rule to run when a "Course buyers" tag is added to a subscriber:

  • Click the "Tag added" trigger, and

  • Select the "Course buyers" tag from your list of tags

Click the + button under your newly created trigger to add more triggers as needed. When you do so, your automation rule will run when any of these triggers occur.

Set an action for your automation rule

Now, you’ll set the action(s) that should happen when your automation rule is triggered.

The available actions are:

  • Subscribe to a sequence: Subscribe the subscriber to a sequence

  • Unsubscribe from a sequence: Unsubscribe the subscriber from a sequence

  • Subscribe to a form: Subscribe the subscriber to a form or landing page

  • Unsubscribe from a form: Unsubscribe the subscriber from a form or landing page

  • Add tag: Add a tag to the subscriber

  • Remove tag: Remove a tag from the subscriber

  • Set custom field: Set a custom field value for the subscriber

Select the appropriate action for your needs and set it up.

For example, if you want your automation rule to unsubscribe subscribers from a "Course pitch" sequence:

  • Click the "Unsubscribe from a sequence" action, and

  • Select the "Course pitch" sequence from your list of sequences

Click the + button under your newly created action to add more actions as needed. When you do so, your automation rule will take all of these actions when triggered.

Save (and enable) your automation rule

Click the Save Rule button to save your automation rule.

When you save your automation rule, we will also enable it for you. Your automation rule will immediately start running when its trigger(s) occur.

Viewing an automation rule's trigger history

You can view up to the latest 50 triggers of your automation rule, including their trigger dates and the subscribers who triggered them.

To do so, select your automation rule from the Rules page to load its settings.

Scroll to the bottom of your automation rule's settings page to view its trigger history.

Disabling an automation rule

If you want to prevent your automation rule from running, you can disable it.

On the Rules page, select your automation rule to open its settings. Click the (disable) setting next to the "Automation Rule" heading to disable your automation rule.

Your automation rule's status will also be marked as Disabled on the main automation rules page.

To re-enable a disabled automation rule, simply click the (enable) setting next to the "Automation Rule" heading for it.

Disabling an automation rule doesn't remove it from your list of automation rules. If you no longer need an automation rule and want to remove it from your list of automation rules, you can delete it.

Deleting an automation rule

Go to the Rules page and click the automation rule you want to delete.

On the settings page for the automation rule, select the Delete Rule button to delete your automation rule.

⚠️ Deleting an automation rule will also delete its trigger history! If you want to temporarily pause your automation rule and/or retain its trigger history, disable it instead.

As mentioned, the setting up of link triggers is one popular use of automation rules. Learn how to set up your own in the guide below 👇

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