Reasons to update a List that uses a Data Filter:
- Ensure the records included on the list are up to date
- Update an email list prior to sending an email
REMINDER:
- When refreshing a list associated to a data filter, people who were previously on the list, or people who previously met the criteria of the data filter, may be removed from the list if they no long meet the necessary criteria.
- If a list not associated to a data filter already exists with subscribers in it, you cannot associate a data filter to the list to incrementally add to it. If this is done, the people who meet the criteria of the data filter will instead overwrite and replace the subscribers originally on the list.
Updating a List that uses a Data Filter:
1. Navigate to the 'List' screen: Campaigns > List
2. Select the 'List' you'd like to update, note the list must be based on a Data Filter )(meaning it should have something populated in the 'Data Filter' column.
3. Click the 'Details' link
4. Click the 'Refresh' link
When the refresh begins, the status of the list will become Queued.
When the refresh is complete, the status will become 'Ready', and you may see the total number of Active subscribers on the right change.
NOTES:
- The refresh process might take a few minutes to complete.
- You can determine if and when the last time the list was refreshed by viewing the 'Last Refresh Date' column.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why should I refresh a list that uses a data filter?
Refreshing a list ensures that the subscribers included in the list still meet the criteria defined by the associated data filter. This is especially important before sending an email campaign to ensure you are working with the most current audience.
What happens when I refresh a list?
When a list is refreshed, Aimbase re-evaluates the data filter criteria and updates the list membership accordingly. New records that now meet the criteria may be added, while records that no longer qualify may be removed.
Can refreshing a list reduce the number of subscribers?
Yes. If some subscribers no longer meet the data filter criteria, they will be removed from the list during the refresh process. As a result, the active subscriber count may decrease after the refresh is complete.
How can I tell if a list is using a data filter?
On the Campaigns > Lists screen, a list is associated with a data filter when the Data Filter column contains a value. Only lists using a data filter can be refreshed using this process.
How long does a refresh take?
The refresh process may take several minutes to complete, depending on the amount of data being evaluated. During processing, the list status will display as Queued. Once finished, the status changes to Ready.
How do I know when the refresh is complete?
A refresh is complete when the list status changes from Queued to Ready. You may also notice the active subscriber total update after processing has finished.
Can I see when a list was last refreshed?
Yes. The Last Refresh Date column on the Lists screen displays the most recent date and time the list was refreshed.
Can I attach a data filter to an existing list to add more subscribers?
No. If an existing list already contains subscribers and you associate a data filter to it, the subscribers returned by the data filter will replace the existing list members rather than add to them incrementally.
Should I refresh my list before sending an email campaign?
Yes. Refreshing the list immediately before an email send helps ensure your audience accurately reflects the latest data and filter criteria.
Why did my subscriber count change after refreshing?
A change in subscriber count is expected. The refresh process updates the list based on the current filter criteria, adding qualifying records and removing records that no longer qualify.