- Introduction
- Merge tag basics
- Handling missing values from Google Contacts
- Google Contacts to merge tag mapping
Introduction
A merge tag is a short code that inserts a user’s data (first name, last name, etc.) into emails.
Use merge tags to add personalized or dynamic content to your campaigns.
Merge tag basics
Each merge tag has a name (like *|FirstName|*, *|LastName|*) and a value that is different for each recipient.
Handling missing values from Google Contacts
When cloudHQ sends a campaign email (Auto Follow Up or MailKing) and a merge tag value is missing from the data loaded during campaign creation, it will try to retrieve that value from Google Contacts.
If merge tag values are missing or empty during campaign creation, our system can load them from Google Contacts.
Google Contacts to merge tag mapping
Here is how Google Contacts fields map to merge tags:
- The merge tag name comes from the Google Contacts field label. For example, “First Name” becomes *|FirstName|*.
- The merge tag value comes from the Google Contacts field value. For example, the value for first name could be “Joe”, “Anna”, or “Jen”.
- Custom fields also create merge tags. The custom field label becomes the merge tag name, and the custom field value becomes the merge tag value. For example, a custom field labeled “Greetings” with the value “Hello Joe” becomes *|Greetings|* with the value “Hello Joe” for that recipient.