Mastering Advanced Search in the CRM

This article guides you on using Advanced Search in the CRM to find specific contact groups, create segments, and perform bulk edits, enhancing your contact management and targeting efforts.

The Advanced Search feature in the CRM is a powerful tool that allows you to locate highly specific groups of contacts based on a wide range of criteria. Whether you're interested in contacts’ geolocation, their actions, the lists they belong to, or the status of their deals, you can combine numerous conditions using “And” and “Or” logic to refine your search down to the exact group of contacts you need.

This feature is invaluable when you need to create segments, perform bulk edits, or simply see how many contacts match particular conditions. For example, you can identify contacts who have opened multiple campaigns, visited certain product pages on your website, or clicked on specific links in your emails. Here’s how you can use Advanced Search effectively.

Creating an Advanced Search

Accessing Advanced Search:

  • Navigate to the Contacts overview page.
  • Click the "Search Contacts" field.
  • Select the "Advanced Search" option. 
    Advanced_Search_option_in_the_Search_bar.png

Building Your Search Conditions:

  • The segment builder will appear at the top of the page. Select_a_condition_field.png
  • Click the left-most field labeled "(Select a condition...)" to see a dropdown of condition categories. 
  • Choose a category to reveal its conditions, then click the condition you want. For example, to find contacts with the "Engaged" tag, select the "Tag" condition under the "Contact Details" category. 
    Example_of_clicking_into_Contact_Details_then_Tag.png

Defining Search Criteria:

  • Depending on the condition, you may need to choose an operator. For instance, to find contacts with the "Engaged" tag, choose the "Exists" operator. In_the_second_field__click_the_Exists_option.png
  • Finally, select a value for your search condition by clicking the appropriate field and choosing the desired option. In_the_third_field__click_the_desired_tag__in_this_example_we_are_choosing_engaged.png

Adding Multiple Conditions:

  • To refine your search further, click "+ Add another condition" to add more criteria. You can toggle between “And” and “Or” logic to control how these conditions interact: After_you_click_add_another_condition__another_row_will_appear_to_define_another_condition.png

    • And Logic: Displays contacts that meet all conditions.
    • Or Logic: Displays contacts that meet any of the conditions.
  • You can also create Segment Groups to combine complex conditions with “And” and “Or” logic, such as combining link clicks from multiple campaigns.

  • Once your conditions are set, click the "Search" button to view the contacts that match.

Creating a Segment from an Advanced Search

After refining your search, you can save it as a segment, allowing you to target these specific contacts with tailored messaging. Segments update dynamically as contacts meet or no longer meet the defined conditions, ensuring your messaging remains relevant.

Saving a Segment:

  • Click the search field where your conditions are displayed. Example_search_field_with_2_condition_set.png
  • Select "Save as segment." Save_as_Segment_button.png
  • In the "Name this segment" modal, enter a descriptive name and click "Save." Type_the_name_of_the_segment_then_click_save.png
  • This segment will now appear during the list selection step when sending a campaign, enabling you to send highly targeted communications.

Saving an Advanced Search

If you anticipate reusing a set of search conditions, saving the advanced search can save you time. Saved searches also update dynamically, just like segments.

Saving a Search:

  • Click the search field displaying your conditions. Example_search_field_with_2_condition_set.png
  • Choose the "Save as Search" option. Save_as_Search_button.png
  • Name your search in the modal that appears, then click "Save." Type_in_the_name_of_the_search_then_click_save.png
  • You can access your saved searches anytime by clicking the "Saved Searches" option in the search field. 
    Saved_Searches_option_in_the_Search_field.png

Bulk Editing Your Contacts

Advanced Search pairs seamlessly with the bulk editor, allowing you to make changes to specific groups of contacts quickly.

Bulk Editing Contacts:

  • After performing an advanced search, click the "Edit All" button to open the bulk editor.
  • The bulk editor lets you:
    • Add or remove contacts from lists.
    • Add contacts to automations.
    • Apply or remove tags.
    • Update fields.

This powerful combination of advanced search and bulk editing ensures that you can efficiently manage and update your contacts based on highly specific criteria.

By mastering the Advanced Search feature, you can enhance your contact management capabilities, ensuring that your marketing efforts are both targeted and effective.