Help Center

Choosing Your Audience with Segments

In email marketing campaigns, segments define which contacts should receive the email. When configuring the Contact Filter step, you can either choose a saved segment or build a one-time segment for that campaign.

Note: This article explains how segments are used in Email Marketing campaigns. For a full overview of how segments work across LeadCenter, see Creating Segments.

What a Segment Does

A segment is a filtered list of contacts who share something in common, such as tags, custom fields, location, pipeline status, or other criteria.

In email marketing campaigns, the segment determines which contacts are included before the email is sent.

How to Access Segments

1. Click the Marketing Dashboard button in the top-right header.
2. In the green menu, click Segments.

This opens the Contact Segments page, where you can create, edit, and manage saved segments.

Use a Saved Segment in a Campaign

1. Open your email campaign in the campaign designer.
2. Click the Contact Filter step.
3. Select Choose a saved segment.
4. Pick a segment from the dropdown list.

The selected segment’s filter rules are then used to decide which contacts receive the campaign. A confirmation message appears: "This segment will be used to filter your workflow."

Create a One-Time Segment

If you do not want to use a saved segment, you can create a one-time segment directly inside the campaign.

1. Click the Contact Filter step in the campaign designer.
2. Select Create one-time use segment.
3. Build your filter rules in the inline filter builder.

One-time segments are used only for that campaign and are not saved to your segment library.

Create a New Saved Segment from the Campaign Designer

If you realize you need a new saved segment while building the campaign, you can create one from the Contact Filter step.

Use the Click here to add a new segment link to open the Segments page and create it.

Understanding the “Added to Pipeline” Filter

One of the most commonly used segment filters is Added to Pipeline. This is a yes/no filter that tells LeadCenter whether the contact is in the Sales Pipeline.

• Added to Pipeline = Yes — includes only contacts who are in the Sales Pipeline
• Added to Pipeline = No — includes only contacts who are not in the Sales Pipeline

Important: The advanced filter can show all contacts, whether or not they are in the Sales Pipeline. If you want your campaign to target only pipeline contacts, make sure you add the Added to Pipeline = Yes rule.

Contacts Automatically Excluded from Campaign Sends

Even if a contact matches your segment, LeadCenter may still exclude them from the campaign send if they are not eligible to receive marketing email.

Examples include contacts who:

• have Do Not Email enabled
• have Do Not Mass Email enabled
• do not have a valid email address

These exclusions appear later in campaign run details under filtered contacts.

Best Practices

• Use saved segments for audiences you plan to reuse across multiple campaigns.
• Use a one-time segment when the audience is unique to one campaign only.
• Make segment names clear and descriptive, such as Active Clients – Northeast or Pipeline Prospects – No Appointment.
• Always double-check whether you need the Added to Pipeline rule.
• Review the expected audience size before scheduling the campaign.
• Clean up old saved segments regularly so the library stays manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a saved segment and a one-time segment?

A saved segment is reusable and stays in your segment library. A one-time segment is used only inside that specific campaign and is not saved.

What happens if my segment returns zero contacts?

The campaign can still run, but no emails will be sent. Review the segment rules if that happens unexpectedly.

Can I change the segment after the campaign is created?

Yes. As long as the campaign has not already been sent, you can open the Contact Filter step and change the saved segment or rebuild the one-time segment.

Do contacts with email opt-out flags still receive the campaign if they match the segment?

No. Contacts with Do Not Email or Do Not Mass Email are excluded from the send, even if they match the segment rules.

If you need help creating or managing segments, contact support@leadcenter.ai.