Automated Messages are push notifications and/or emails that get sent to users that enter into Segments. They are commonly used for drip campaigns like re-engaging inactive users or welcoming new users or even events like congratulating players on reaching a certain level.

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Webinar Video Guide

Checkout our Automated Messages Webinar for a deep dive into setting up Automated Messages and drip campaigns!

Creating automated message campaigns

Before creating an automated message, you need to setup a 2 things:

1. Templates which are reusable messages to send
2. Segments which are devices eligible to receive your automated message

When a device enters into the segment, it will be sent the template.

Example Segment

For instance, a segment with filter "Last Session greater than 168 hours" means a device will enter into that segment after 168 hours (1 week) has passed. When they return to your app or site, their "Last Session" will change to the current date. OneSignal removes them from the segment until 168 hours passes again.

OneSignal provides this segment called "Inactive Users", if you don't have this segment, go ahead and create it now:

Example Template

In Messages > Templates select New Push Template

Name the Template Inactive Users

Here we setup the message we want to send after the user has not been back after a week. Examples:

• small discounts $5 or 10% off goes a long way!
• popular articles that got many clicks/views
• "did you know you can do this..." feature information

Title: 10% off your next purchase :scream:
Message: Use REDEEM10 for 10% off your next purchase, why wouldn't you?!
Images are highly recommended!
Launch URL: upon click, I add the discount through a query string in the URL

Press Save at the bottom

Setup the Automated Message

Now that a segment and template are setup, head over to Messages > Automated and select New Automated Push.

Name your Automated Message Campaign something recognizable. This lets you identify the automated message among others.

Examples: 'Loyalty Program Day 1' or '14 Day Inactive'

To continue our previous example, let's use Inactive Users.

1. Audience

The segment(s) of eligible devices to receive the message. Once a device enters into the selected segment(s), they will be sent the message.

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Free Plan Limitations

On the Free plan, automated messages get sent roughly every 4-6 hours.
Paid Plan Users get automated messages sent within a few minutes.

Pro tip: name the segment, automated message and template the same thing to easily associate all 3.

2. Message

Select the Message template you would like to send. Make sure you have created a template for for the automated messages.

We suggest dedicating one template per Automated Message. Also, name the template something recognizable for the automated message.

3. Delivery Schedule

Select when the message should start being sent. Emails can only be sent immediately upon the user entering into the segment (based on the queue status).

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Re-triggering Default Behavior

By default, Automated Messages will only be sent to a device 1 time. Even if the user leaves a segment and returns to it.

By default, users will never receive an automated notification twice, even if they leave a segment and come back to it. If you want to change this default, you can select one or both of the "Deliver to users more than once?" options.

Also, if a user is in the included segment and excluded segment, then leaves the excluded segment but is still in the included segment, they will get the notification.

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OR Logic for Re-Delivery

These options are not dependent on each other.
If you select both, then the automated message will resend each time one of the options triggers and the user is still in the segment.

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FAQ

Why are my Automated Messages not sending?

Push users who have not been active for over 3 months will be excluded from all automated notifications.

If you are on a free plan, check the segment is longer than 8 hours if using "Immediate" delivery or 24 hours if using "Intelligent delivery".

How to track performance of Automated Messages?

You can track the message's lifetime performance from Templates. The Delivery page tracks individual Automated Message stats and are only saved for around 30 days.

How are automated messages sent out?

Automated messages are sent out in batches of 10,000 messages. This means if you are sending automated messages to 36,000 users, you would see four distinct notifications in Message Reports - three with 10,000 users, and the fourth with 6,000 users.

If you want to schedule recurring notifications for an exact time, please see our Zapier integration docs.

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Example Automated Message Campaigns

Please see our Abandoned Cart guide for more details and examples on how to set that up.

In all examples, make sure to setup a template with emojis and/or bright and catchy images and icons to help entice the user to click and come back.

Re-engagement Campaigns

Continuing the first example re-engagement campaigns, let's setup 2 more to help further get the user back to the site:

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Upper Segment Limits

Adding the upper segment limits help transition the user in and out of the segment.

For "Inactive 10 days" and "Inactive 20 days" automated messages, use the "Intelligent Delivery" option and select the option under "Deliver to users more than once?" to be If the user returns to the app.
This will make sure to repeat the flow if the user becomes inactive for 10 days or 20 days again in the future.

Welcome Campaign

OneSignal does provide Web Push Welcome Notifications but these are limited in that they don't work for mobile apps and you cannot add different languages or customize the push notification beyond title and message.

If you want to send a welcome notification along with a stream of notifications to get users introduced to your app or site, you can follow this guide to get started:

Welcome Campaign Planning

Think about the main points you want your users to know about your app or site. For example, if you are an ecommerce site, think about what type of product categories you want to introduce to your users or neat things you can do on that may not be obvious.

Once you decide how many welcome notifications you want to send in a row, you can decide how you want to space them. We suggest sending 3 total welcome notifications spaced out on days 1, 2 and 4 (skipping day 3).

Setup your segments as follows:

On all 3 campaigns, your "Delivery" and "Deliver only once to a user, unless" options should be blank or not selected since you don't want to re-send these notifications.

Example Welcome Campaign Ideas

1. Discount Codes. Even 5% will be a great way to hook users into coming back and keeping an eye out for your notifications.
2. Educational pieces on common or helpful features customers may not be aware of.
3. Blog posts or documentation links.