Marketing Cloud - Change Subscribers From Held To Active
Update: Subscriber Status in Marketing Cloud
Are you struggling to update a large list of subscribers in Marketing Cloud from Held to Active? You're not alone. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of changing subscriber status in Marketing Cloud, including troubleshooting common issues.
Understanding Subscriber Status in Marketing Cloud
Before we dive into the steps, it's essential to understand the different subscriber status options in Marketing Cloud. The subscriber status can be one of the following:
- Active: Subscribers who are actively engaged with your brand and have opted-in to receive communications.
- Held: Subscribers who have been placed on hold, often due to inactivity or unsubscribing from a specific list.
- Unsubscribed: Subscribers who have explicitly opted-out of receiving communications from your brand.
Changing Subscribers from Held to Active
To change subscribers from Held to Active, follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Before updating the subscriber status, ensure you have a clear understanding of the subscribers you want to update. You can use the All Subscribers search feature in Marketing Cloud to filter your list based on specific criteria, such as subscriber status.
Step 2: Use the All Subscribers Search Feature
- Log in to your Marketing Cloud account and navigate to the All Subscribers search feature.
- Click on the Search button and select Subscriber Status as the criteria.
- Choose Held as the value for the subscriber status criteria.
- Click on the Search button to retrieve the list of subscribers who are currently held.
Step 3: Update the Subscriber Status
- Once you have the list of subscribers who are held, click on the Update button.
- Select the Subscriber Status field and choose Active as the new value.
- Click on the Update button to apply the changes.
Step 4: Verify the Changes
After updating the subscriber status, verify that the changes have been applied correctly. You can do this by:
- Checking the subscriber status in the All Subscribers search feature.
- Verifying that the subscribers have been updated to Active in the Subscriber list.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues while updating the subscriber status, here are some common troubleshooting steps to follow:
- Error: "Subscriber status cannot be updated": This error typically occurs when the subscriber is unsubscribed or has been placed on hold due to inactivity. Check the subscriber's status and update it accordingly.
- Error: "Subscriber status update failed": This error can occur due to various reasons, such as network connectivity issues or database errors. Try updating the subscriber status again after a few minutes.
- Subscriber status not updated: If the subscriber status is not updated after following the steps above, check the subscriber's profile and ensure that the status is not set to Unsubscribed or Held.
Best Practices for Updating Subscriber Status
To ensure a smooth update process, follow these best practices:
- Use the All Subscribers search feature to filter your list: This will help you identify the subscribers who need to be updated.
- Verify the changes: Double-check that the subscriber status has been updated correctly.
- Avoid updating subscriber status in bulk: Updating subscriber status in bulk can lead to errors and inconsistencies. Instead, update the status one by one to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions about Updating Subscriber Status in Marketing Cloud
In our previous article, we walked you through the process of changing subscribers from Held to Active in Marketing Cloud. However, we understand that you may still have questions about the process. In this article, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions about updating subscriber status in Marketing Cloud.
Q: What is the difference between Held and Active subscriber status?
A: In Marketing Cloud, the subscriber status can be one of the following:
- Active: Subscribers who are actively engaged with your brand and have opted-in to receive communications.
- Held: Subscribers who have been placed on hold, often due to inactivity or unsubscribing from a specific list.
Q: Why can't I update the subscriber status in bulk?
A: Updating subscriber status in bulk can lead to errors and inconsistencies. Instead, update the status one by one to ensure accuracy.
Q: What if I encounter an error while updating the subscriber status?
A: If you encounter an error while updating the subscriber status, check the subscriber's profile and ensure that the status is not set to Unsubscribed or Held. If the error persists, try updating the subscriber status again after a few minutes.
Q: Can I update the subscriber status for multiple subscribers at once?
A: Yes, you can update the subscriber status for multiple subscribers at once using the All Subscribers search feature. However, be sure to follow the steps outlined in our previous article to ensure accuracy.
Q: How do I verify that the subscriber status has been updated correctly?
A: To verify that the subscriber status has been updated correctly, check the subscriber's profile and ensure that the status has been updated to Active. You can also use the All Subscribers search feature to filter your list and verify that the subscriber status has been updated correctly.
Q: What if I accidentally update the subscriber status to the wrong value?
A: If you accidentally update the subscriber status to the wrong value, contact your Marketing Cloud administrator or support team for assistance. They can help you correct the error and update the subscriber status to the correct value.
Q: Can I schedule the update of subscriber status in advance?
A: Yes, you can schedule the update of subscriber status in advance using the Schedule feature in Marketing Cloud. This allows you to plan and execute the update at a specific time and date.
Q: How do I ensure that the update of subscriber status is accurate and consistent?
A: To ensure that the update of subscriber status is accurate and consistent, follow the best practices outlined in our previous article, including:
- Using the All Subscribers search feature to filter your list
- Verifying the changes
- Avoiding updating subscriber status in bulk
Conclusion
We hope this Q&A article has provided you with the answers you need to update subscriber status in Marketing Cloud. Remember to follow the best practices outlined in our previous article to ensure accuracy and consistency. If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact your Marketing Cloud administrator or support team for assistance.