How to upload your contact list and set subscription status
Importing your existing contacts into Nudge is one of the first things to do when getting started. All you need is a CSV file with your customer data and a few minutes to complete the setup.
Before you upload
Make sure your CSV file is clean and well-structured before importing. A few things to check:
- Each column has a clear header (for example, First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone)
- There are no duplicate rows
- Email addresses are valid and formatted correctly
- You only include contacts who have given you permission to email them
The cleaner your file going in, the smoother the mapping step will be later.
Step 1 — Head to the Audience section
From the dashboard, click on Audience in the left panel and select the Lists tab. Click Import Audience to get started.
Step 2 — Upload your CSV file
On the import screen, click to upload your CSV file. Once your file is selected, Nudge will read the column headers and prepare them for mapping in the next step.
Step 3 — Assign contacts to a list
You will be asked where these contacts should go. You can add them to an existing list or create a new one.
To create a new list, give it a name that makes it easy to identify later — for example, Klaviyo Import July 2025 or Newsletter Subscribers. A descriptive name will save you a lot of confusion once you have multiple lists in your account.
Step 4 — Map your fields
This is the most important step. Nudge will show you each column from your CSV on the left and ask you to match it to the corresponding field in Nudge on the right.
- For standard fields like First Name, Last Name, and Email, search for the matching Nudge field and select it
- For custom columns that do not exist in Nudge yet — like a loyalty tier or a VIP flag — you can create a new field on the spot by typing a name and selecting the appropriate data type (Text, Number, Date, or Boolean)
- Once a new field is created, Nudge automatically maps it to the column
Take your time here. Accurate field mapping ensures that personalisation works correctly in every email you send.
Step 5 — Set the email marketing status
Before finalising the import, you need to select the email marketing status for these contacts. This tells Nudge whether your contacts have agreed to receive marketing emails from you.
| Status | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Subscribed | Contact has explicitly opted in to receive marketing emails |
| Unsubscribed | Contact has previously opted out — Nudge will not send to these |
| Never subscribed | Contact provided their email for another reason (e.g. a purchase) but has not opted into marketing |
Important: Only mark contacts as Subscribed if you have their explicit consent. Sending to contacts who have not opted in damages your sender reputation and can result in your account being flagged for review. If you are unsure, mark them as Never subscribed and use a re-engagement campaign to collect consent first.
Step 6 — Review and confirm
Nudge will show you a summary before completing the import — the total number of contacts, the list they are being added to, and all the fields that have been mapped. Review this carefully, then confirm to complete the import.
Your contacts will now appear in the Audience section and will be ready to receive campaigns.
What happens next
Once your contacts are imported, head to the Campaigns section to create your first email, or visit the Audience section to set up segments so you can start sending to the right group of people with the right message.