Adding individual or bulk subscribers to an automation

Automations let you enroll subscribers in active workflows at any time, either individually from a subscriber profile or in bulk using a segment. This makes it easy to add subscribers to automated journeys without modifying triggers or rebuilding workflows. 

In this article, you’ll learn how to enroll a single subscriber into an automation, how to enroll subscribers in bulk using a segment and a Manual trigger, and find answers to common questions about enrollment behavior and limitations.

You can enroll individual subscribers directly from their profile.

1. From the left hand panel dashboard, go to Audience > Subscribers.
   
   
   
2. Locate the subscriber you want to enroll and click their name to open their profile.
    
3. In the top-right corner of the profile, click the down arrow next to Unsubscribe, then select Add to automations.
   
   
   
4. In the popup, click into the Search and select field and choose one or more automations, then click Enroll. 
   
   
   
5. You’ll receive a quick success message at the top of your screen confirming the subscriber was successfully enrolled.
   
   
   
6. To review enrollment activity, open the Automations tab within the subscriber’s profile to see which workflows they’ve been added to under the Automations activity feed. 
   
   
   

Bulk enrollment requires using a Manual trigger in the automation and enrolling a segment of subscribers into that workflow.

1. Open the automation you want to enroll subscribers into, or create a new one.
    
2. Select to add a Manual trigger from the list of options. The Properties panel for the trigger will open on the right. 
   
   
   
3. (Optional) Click Add condition in the trigger’s Properties panel to define which subscribers are eligible. Once added, the trigger card will show a summary of any conditions applied.
   
   
   
4. Build out the rest of the automation as needed by adding actions below the trigger.

5. Go back to the left panel dashboard and click on Audience > Segments. 
   
   
   
6. Click Create segment, or open an existing segment you want to use. Define the segment criteria so it matches the subscribers you want to enroll.

7. After the segment has been created, you’ll be taken to Segment’s Overview tab. Open the Quick export menu and select Add to automations. 
   
   
   
8. A popup will appear for you to choose the automation(s). Click into the Search and select field to select one or more automations, then click Enroll. 
   
   
   
9. You’ll receive a confirmation message once the segment has been successfully enrolled.
   
   
   

Why aren’t subscribers automatically enrolling in my automation?
If your automation uses a Manual trigger, subscribers are not enrolled automatically. Manual triggers require you to explicitly enroll subscribers, either individually from their profile or in bulk by enrolling a segment. This behavior is different from other trigger types, which automatically enroll subscribers when trigger conditions are met.
Can I enroll the same subscriber into an automation more than once?
A subscriber can only be enrolled once at a time in the same automation. If they’ve already completed or are currently in the workflow, they won’t be re-enrolled unless the automation allows re-entry.
Will enrolling a subscriber manually restart the automation?
Enrolling a subscriber manually starts the automation from the beginning, regardless of when they were added.
Can I enroll subscribers into multiple automations at once?
Yes. When enrolling a subscriber or segment, you can select multiple automations from the list before clicking Enroll.
Does enrolling a segment affect future subscribers?
No. Enrolling a segment only adds the subscribers who are currently in that segment. New subscribers who later meet the segment criteria won’t be enrolled unless you enroll the segment again or use a trigger-based automation.
When should I use bulk enrollment instead of individual enrollment?
Bulk enrollment is best when you want to add many subscribers at once or apply an automation retroactively. Individual enrollment works well for one-off cases or testing.