How to Find Contacts Not Receiving Autoresponders
Why This Matters
Autoresponders keep your contacts engaged with consistent, automated follow-up. But contacts who fall outside your autoresponder sequences can become forgotten leads, losing momentum and potentially costing you opportunities. Finding contacts without active autoresponders lets you identify gaps in your nurture strategy and ensure no one slips through the cracks.
This search is particularly valuable for reviewing your database periodically to find contacts who should be receiving regular communication but aren't. Whether they opted out of a sequence, were never added to one, or completed a sequence without moving to the next, this filter shows you exactly who needs attention.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Navigate to Contacts
Go to Contacts in the main menu, then open the Contact List.
This takes you to your main contact management area where you'll build your search.
2. Open Advanced Search
Click the Advanced Search tab to access the filter builder.
Advanced Search provides specific filter options that aren't available in the standard search bar, including autoresponder status filters.
3. Add Filter Option
Click Filter Drop Down to choose search criteria.
This opens the filter options menu where you can select from all available contact attributes and activity filters.
4. Select "Has No Active Autoresponder"
Choose the filter option Has No Active Autoresponder from the dropdown menu.
This filter specifically identifies contacts who are not currently enrolled in any autoresponder sequence. The system checks all autoresponders in your account and returns only contacts who don't appear in any active sequence.
5. Add Optional Filters
Consider adding additional filters to refine your results based on your specific needs. For example, combine with Category = Prospect to find prospects not receiving nurture emails, or add Tag = "Hot Lead" to identify high-priority contacts who should be in a sequence but aren't.
Combining filters creates more targeted lists that help you take specific action on different segments of contacts.
6. Run the Search
Click Search to display your results.
The Contact List updates to show only contacts who match your filter criteria. Review this list to understand which contacts aren't currently being nurtured through autoresponders.
7. Save the Search
Click Save This Search and give it a descriptive name like "Contacts Not in Autoresponders" or "Leads Without Nurture Sequence."
Saving the search lets you run it again instantly without rebuilding the filters each time. The saved search updates automatically as your data changes, showing current contacts who aren't in autoresponders whenever you access it.
8. Take Action on Your Results
Once you've identified contacts without autoresponders, decide what action makes sense. You might manually enroll them in an appropriate sequence, add them to a one-time campaign, or review their records to determine if they should be receiving automated follow-up at all.
Use the Contact List checkboxes to select multiple contacts, then add them to Group Actions for bulk enrollment or other updates.
Questions and Answers
Q: Does this filter show contacts who have never been in an autoresponder, or only those who are currently not in one?
A: The "Has No Active Autoresponder" filter shows contacts who are not currently enrolled in any active autoresponder sequence, regardless of whether they were in one previously. If a contact completed or opted out of an autoresponder, they will appear in these results.
Q: Will opted-out contacts appear in this search?
A: Yes. Contacts who opted out of autoresponders will appear in this search because they no longer have an active autoresponder running. Review their opt-in status before taking action to ensure you respect their communication preferences.
Q: How often should I run this search?
A: Monthly reviews work well for most businesses. This cadence catches contacts before they become too cold while preventing excessive manual work. For high-volume sales teams, weekly or biweekly reviews may be more appropriate.
Q: Can I add this search to my dashboard?
A: Yes. After saving the search, add it to your dashboard as a widget for easy access. This lets you monitor contacts without autoresponders without rebuilding the search each time.
Q: What if I have contacts who shouldn't be in autoresponders?
A: Not every contact needs automated follow-up. Consider adding a tag like "No Autoresponder" to contacts who should stay outside sequences, then add "Does Not Have Tag: No Autoresponder" to your saved search to exclude them from results.
Q: If someone is in multiple autoresponders, will they show up in this search?
A: No. The filter identifies contacts with no active autoresponder. If a contact is enrolled in even one active autoresponder sequence, they won't appear in these results.
Q: How can I tell which autoresponder someone was previously enrolled in?
A: Check the contact's activity history on their Contact Card. The system logs autoresponder enrollment and completion, showing you which sequences they've been through.
Q: Can I combine this with other filters to find specific groups?
A: Absolutely. Combine the "Has No Active Autoresponder" filter with Category, Tag, Source, or date filters to create highly specific searches. For example, find all prospects from trade shows who aren't in a nurture sequence, or all clients who haven't received follow-up in 90 days.
Q: What's the best way to enroll contacts from this search into autoresponders?
A: Use Group Actions to enroll multiple contacts at once. Select the contacts from your search results, add them to Group Actions, then use the autoresponder enrollment option to add them to the appropriate sequence.
Q: Does this filter work if I'm using workflows instead of traditional autoresponders?
A: This filter specifically checks for autoresponder enrollment. If you're using workflows for automated follow-up instead of autoresponders, you'll need different filters to track workflow enrollment status.
Guide Type: How-To Guide
Estimated Time: 5 minutes