Automations run automatically when a client enters a Segment, matches one, or leaves one. They work with custom Segments — the ones you create yourself — not with predefined Segments. There are two types of automation: an automated message, or a tag rule that applies a tag. Both are found in the Automations tab, alongside Segments and Campaigns, with an overview showing the performance of each.
Terminology update: Smartlists are now called Segments in the new Back Office. This article uses the term Segment throughout.
What hasn't changed: automations work exactly as they did before — same triggers, same actions, same logic. What's new is that they now live in one place, and you can see how well they're performing.
Which tool do you need?
Tool | What it does | Frequency | Use it when |
Automated message | Sends an Email, SMS, or push notification when a client enters or leaves a Segment | Runs every 24 hours | You want to automatically contact clients based on their Segment membership |
Tag rule | Adds a tag to clients when they enter, match, or leave a Segment | Runs every 24 hours | You want to automatically tag clients for use in filters, Segments, or reports |
Journeys | Builds multi-step workflows with branching logic | Updates every hour | You need multiple steps, branching, or a faster update frequency |
Automations run every 24 hours, so a message or tag is applied within the day after a client meets the trigger. Journeys update every hour and live in a separate space, outside the Automations tab.
Create an automated message
Before you start
You can set up two automated messages per channel and per Segment — one for when the client enters, one for when they leave. With all three channels (Email, SMS, push), that's up to six automated messages per Segment.
Step 1 — Go to the Automations tab.
Automations now have their own tab — you can open them directly, without going through a Segment first. They used to be set up under Marketing > Smartlist.
Step 2 — Select Create a new automation, then choose Automated message.
Step 3 — Choose the trigger and the Segment.
Specify whether the message should send when a client enters the Segment or leaves it, then select the Segment.
Step 4 — Set up the message.
Select the type — Email, SMS, or push notification.
Enter the subject and content.
Under Limit, set the number of sends allowed per entry. There's no limit by default; you can choose 1, 2, or 3.
Step 5 — Save.
The message appears in the Automations overview. The number of times it has triggered is shown for automated messages, so you can see how often each one has fired.
Create a tag rule
Before you start
The tag you want to apply must already exist. You can't create a tag from within the automation flow, so create it beforehand.
You can create up to 10 tag rules in total across all your Segments — not 10 per Segment.
Step 1 — Go to the Automations tab.
Step 2 — Select Create a new automation, then choose Tag rule.
Step 3 — Choose the trigger and the Segment.
Specify whether the tag should be applied when a client enters the Segment, matches it, or leaves it, then select the Segment.
Trigger | The tag is applied when a client… |
Enter | joins the Segment — they start meeting its filters |
Match | meets the Segment's filters, and the tag is automatically removed as soon as they no longer meet them — unlike Enter and Leave, this trigger keeps the tag in sync in both directions |
Leave | leaves the Segment — they stop meeting its filters |
Step 4 — Select the tag to apply.
bsport doesn't yet warn you if two tag rules conflict. Check your existing tag rules before adding a new one.
Step 5 — Save.
The rule appears in the Automations overview. The number of times it has triggered isn't shown yet for tag rules.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly does an automation run?
Automations run every 24 hours, so a message or tag is applied within the day after a client meets the trigger. For a faster update frequency (every hour) or multi-step workflows, use Journeys.
When should I use an automation rather than Journeys?
Automations run every 24 hours and handle a single action tied to a Segment. Journeys update every hour and support multi-step workflows with branching logic.
The tag I want to apply doesn't exist yet. What should I do?
Create the tag first, then come back and set up the tag rule.
Can I see how many times a tag rule has triggered?
Not yet. The number of triggers is only shown for automated messages; this feature is coming soon for tag rules.
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