ActiveCampaign has rolled out a cluster of helpful updates to Automations – and while none of them are huge on their own, together they make your automations smarter, cleaner, and easier to manage.
If you’ve ever had an automation send the same email twice… or hang onto people who’ve unsubscribed… or just felt a bit unsure about what’s going on inside a complex flow – these changes are going to feel like a breath of fresh air.
In this post, Certified ActiveCampaign Consultant Kay Peacey shares what’s changed and how to make the most of it.
Small but mighty ActiveCampaign Automation updates you’ll love
Watch Kay Peacey on 4 great updates to ActiveCampaign Automations – 7 mins
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Know where to find new automation settings in ActiveCampaign
Look to top right for the subtle double arrow – and see what’s hiding in there!
- Automation level notes
- Rules for Entry & Exit
- List Association (for unsubscribes)
- Manage emails
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Learn how to add a Description with notes on your ActiveCampaign Automations
If you’ve ever come back to an automation after a few months and thought “Wait… what’s this bit for again?” – this one’s for you.
You can now add rich text notes to your automation (not to be confused with Notes for automation steps, or Notes for contacts!)
Use the Automation Description to explain logic, flag warnings, or give context for future-you (or your team). It’s a small addition that can massively improve how you document and hand over workflows.
We teach all about best practice documentation inside the ActiveCampaign Academy, with Kay Peacey on hand to advise you personally.
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Use the new ActiveCampaign Entry Rules for Smarter Trigger Control
ActiveCampaign’s entry trigger options have levelled up.
You can now apply more advanced entry rules to automation triggers – giving you much better control over who enters, and under what conditions.
This is especially handy for avoiding embarrassing duplicate email sends like this ⬇️
Look for the options under the Edit by “A contact can enter this automation….”
This is a much wanted feature – but be aware it has some subtle ways of working, so test thoroughly – don’t assume. And if you’re in the ActiveCampaign Academy come check with me for all the juicy details on the options here
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Control how contacts behave when they unsubscribe from an Automation email
Previously, when someone unsubscribed from an email in the automation, they would still remain active in your automation – unless you built in a process to remove them. They wouldn’t be sent any more emails, but they would still go through other steps.
Now, you can choose to remove contacts from the automation if they unsubscribe.
No more fiddly conditions or extra paths – just a neat toggle that does the job for you. Look for Edit by “Contacts exit when…”
We have a fantastic FREE Accelerated ActiveCampaign mini-course that teaches you how to manage your contacts, create automations, customise your Unsubscribe and Update Preferences forms and sequences, and much more.
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Find ActiveCampaign List Association Unsubscribe Options for Automations
Alongside the unsubscribe automation exit control, you now have more control over list-level unsubscribe settings for automations.
At the bottom of the new Automation Settings area you’ll see “If Contact unsubscribes…”
That’s where you’ll find some options to control which List is unsubscribed from for this automation.
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See Email Metrics Inside ActiveCampaign Automations
You can now see key email performance stats – like opens and clicks – right next to each email step in the automation builder. Whoop Whoop!
That means less back-and-forth and faster decision-making when you’re reviewing how your flow is working.
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How to View all emails inside an ActiveCampaign Automation
Also in the new Automations Settings area is the Messages tab.
Messages is where you’ll find all the emails associated with this automation – including any that are lurking behind the scenes as “ghost” emails
For more help managing and documenting the many emails that are in automations, hit us up in the ActiveCampaign Academy.
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FAQs for ActiveCampaign Settings Automation Updates in 2025
What’s the benefit of the new automation entry rules for ActiveCampaign automations?
They give you more control over who gets into your automation via triggers – including Once Only entry across multiple triggers.
How does the unsubscribe exit work for ActiveCampaign Automations?
When enabled, contacts who unsubscribe from an email in this automation will Exit from the automation.
If not enabled, they continue through all non-email steps in the automation.
Do these updates apply to all ActiveCampaign plans like Starter, Plus & Pro?
Yes – this is active in all ActiveCampaign plans from Starter to Enterprise. Enjoy!
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Get more help with ActiveCampaign automation settings and other updates
If you’re looking for expert support to build, fix, or streamline your ActiveCampaign setup, and to keep fully in the loop with fabulous new features as they land, we’ve got you covered.
The ActiveCampaign Academy is our self-serve membership where you can access training, templates, and personal guidance – all designed to help you use ActiveCampaign with confidence.
Whether you’re just getting started or managing complex flows, there’s a place for you inside.
Come join us and make your automation life easier.
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