Why it matters
The old Advanced Search language should be replaced with Filter builder language. Filtering gives teams a repeatable way to find contact audiences, inspect matching records, export targeted views, and save dynamic segments.
Key Concepts
Filter builder: The Contacts panel opened from Filter, used to build contact rules and groups.
Condition: A rule that compares a field, tag, list, segment, communication preference, or related data value to the criteria you choose.
AI filter: An option in the filter builder that helps turn a plain-language request into filter logic.
Segment: A saved contact filter that updates dynamically as contacts start or stop matching the criteria.
Step-by-Step: Filter contacts
Open Contacts from the main sidebar.
Select All contacts.
Select Filter above the contacts table.
Add a manual condition or use AI filter to describe the audience you want.
Review the generated or selected rules before relying on the results.
Check the matching contacts in the table.
Select Save as segment if the filtered audience should be reused.
Clear or change filters when you need to return to a broader view.
Tips and Best Practices
Use plain language for AI filters, then inspect the generated rules before saving.
Use manual conditions when the audience criteria must exactly match known fields.
Save important filters as segments so they can be reused in campaigns and workflows.
Name segments with the audience, rule intent, and date or owner when useful.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
The filter returns no contacts | The conditions are too narrow or the data does not exist on the contacts | Remove one condition at a time and confirm the relevant fields are populated |
AI filter creates unexpected rules | The prompt was too vague or used terms that do not map clearly to fields | Rewrite the prompt with exact field names, tags, lists, dates, or statuses |
A saved segment changes later | Segments are dynamic and update as contact data changes | Use a static list instead if the audience must remain fixed |