Having worked with multiple platforms, I've found Go High Level to be incredibly powerful for segmentation, especially for small business owners who need sophisticated automation without the complexity.
What sets Go High Level apart is its ability to create dynamic segments based on user behavior, engagement levels, and custom fields—all while keeping it surprisingly simple to use. For my clients, this means we can tailor communication based on where people are in their journey.
Some standout features I love:
But here's what really matters: it's not just about having powerful features—it's about how easily you can use them to drive results. Go High Level strikes that balance perfectly.
The real game-changer? The platform's ability to create personalized customer journeys. You can set up automated sequences that adapt based on how people interact with your content. This means your marketing actually evolves with your audience's needs.
I've seen businesses transform their marketing from generic newsletters to highly targeted campaigns that speak directly to specific customer needs.
The result? Higher engagement rates, better conversion rates, and more meaningful customer relationships.
Lisa Benson, Marketing Strategist, DeBella DeBall Designs
ActiveCampaign stands out for its powerful segmentation features. I ran a re-engagement campaign where I needed to identify subscribers who hadn't opened emails in over six months. With ActiveCampaign, I could easily create a dynamic segment that isolated these users, letting me tailor a "we miss you" offer that reactivated a significant portion of the dormant list.
Another memorable example was during a seasonal promotion. I segmented customers based on their purchase history—those who made purchases in the last 90 days versus long-time customers—and adjusted the messaging accordingly. This granularity allowed me to send targeted recommendations and exclusive discounts that boosted conversions.
The platform's intuitive, drag-and-drop automation builder made it effortless to set up multi-step workflows, so I could automatically update segments as user behavior changed.
In my experience, this level of detailed, real-time segmentation not only improved engagement rates but also fostered a more personalized connection with the audience—turning data into genuine, actionable insights.
Abraham Briceno, Managing Director, MaxBiz.co
From my experience, Klaviyo stands out as the most powerful email marketing automation platform for segmentation, especially for e-commerce and DTC brands. It allows for highly advanced segmentation based on customer behavior, purchase history, engagement levels, and predictive analytics. What makes it even more effective is its ability to dynamically update segments in real-time, ensuring that emails reach the right audience at the right moment.
I've used Klaviyo to set up segments that go beyond just demographics or past purchases. For example, we built segments based on customer lifetime value projections and predictive analytics for repeat purchases. This helped increase retention by targeting high-intent buyers with personalized offers. Another standout feature is its deep integration with Shopify and other e-commerce platforms, making it easier to trigger automated flows based on browsing behavior or abandoned carts. Compared to other tools, its flexibility in data-driven segmentation gives it a competitive edge.
Georgi Petrov, CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER
Email marketing for industrial and agricultural clients needs precision. A farmer in Canada dealing with snow load concerns has different priorities than a construction manager in Florida looking for wind-resistant barriers. We tested a few platforms and found HubSpot had the best segmentation tools for handling industry-specific variables. It let us categorize leads based on climate conditions, industry regulations, and project timelines. That meant a greenhouse supplier didn't get emails about industrial dust control, and vice versa. Engagement rates improved by over 40% once emails were targeted properly.
For anyone selling to multiple industries, a generic list won't cut it. The right platform should filter customers based on detailed criteria, like location-specific weather challenges or project deadlines. HubSpot did this well, allowing us to send case studies relevant to each customer's needs. If an automation tool forces you to blast the same message to everyone, it's a waste of time. Segmentation should make emails feel like they were written specifically for each recipient, not copied and pasted to a list.
Barbara Robinson, Marketing Manager, Weather Solve
If I had to pick one email marketing automation platform with the most powerful segmentation features, it would be ActiveCampaign—hands down. Unlike many other platforms that offer basic list segmentation, ActiveCampaign takes it several steps further with behavior-based targeting, real-time updates, and AI-driven insights.
1. Behavioral Targeting That Goes Beyond Basics
Most email tools let you segment based on demographics, but ActiveCampaign tracks real user actions—like opening an email, clicking a link, or visiting a product page. If someone views an item but doesn't buy, you can automatically send them a follow-up email with a discount. That level of precision is hard to find elsewhere.
2. Dynamic Segments That Update in Real Time
Unlike static lists where you have to manually update contacts, ActiveCampaign moves people into new segments automatically based on their behavior. If a lead turns into a customer, the system adjusts instantly—no need for manual intervention.
3. Deep Customization with Tags & Fields
You can fine-tune your segmentation with custom fields and tags based on preferences, purchase history, and engagement levels. For example, if someone prefers eco-friendly products, you can send them emails highlighting sustainable options instead of generic promotions.
4. Advanced Automation with Conditional Logic
ActiveCampaign's automation isn't just about sending emails—it's about sending the right email at the right time. You can create workflows that adjust based on how users interact with your emails. If someone abandons their cart, they get a reminder. If they open that reminder but still don't buy, they might receive a discount offer next. It's like having an AI-powered assistant working 24/7.
5. AI-Powered Predictive Segmentation
This is where ActiveCampaign really stands out. The platform can predict user behavior, identifying who is likely to buy, who might churn, and who needs re-engagement. Instead of reacting to what has already happened, you can take proactive steps to improve conversions.
Things to Keep in Mind
Of course, no platform is perfect. ActiveCampaign does have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools, and its pricing can be higher, especially for small businesses. Some users also report occasional deliverability issues, but these can usually be resolved with proper setup.
Riya Rani, SEO Analyst, Versatile Commerce
Drip is my go-to for advanced segmentation. It is designed to track every customer action, which means you are not just sorting by past purchases or email opens. You can create segments based on detailed behavior like product views, abandoned carts, or even how frequently someone interacts with your site. It connects directly with e-commerce platforms, so you get a full picture of how customers are engaging before deciding what kind of email they should receive.
What makes Drip powerful is how dynamic it is. If someone stops engaging with emails, they can be moved into a re-engagement campaign automatically. If they suddenly start browsing high-ticket items, they can be placed into a segment that gets special offers or exclusive deals. Everything updates in real time, so you are always sending the right message to the right people at the right time.
Linzi Oliver, Commercial Marketing Manager, HorseClicks
We use Encharge. Encharge integrates directly with school CRM systems, allowing automated email flows based on user actions. If a principal schedules a product demo, they receive a follow-up with testimonials from other schools. If a parent downloads the school app but doesn't complete registration, they get a gentle nudge with a quick how-to guide. Every step in the user journey triggers a relevant email.
Data-driven decision-making improves conversions. Encharge's segment analytics show open rates, click-through rates, and engagement patterns for different school roles—principals, teachers, or parents. If teachers respond better to video content, we push more video tutorials. If parents prefer step-by-step guides, we prioritize those.
Andreea Tucan, Marketing Lead - UK & IE, Compass Education
In my opinion, Mailchimp is one of the best email marketing platforms with some great segmentation features. Segmentation means dividing your list of email subscribers into smaller groups based on certain things they have in common, like how often they open emails or what kind of products they like. This way, you can send them emails that are more interesting to them! Mailchimp lets you create groups based on things like:
It also has tools that can automatically sort people into the right groups for you. That means you can send emails that feel super personal and relevant to each person! It's a very good tool to sort people into the best groups and then send them the right email at the right time!
Inali Patel, Digital Marketing Specialist, Tech NewsCast
One of the most effective marketing automation tools I've used is Marketo. Marketo is renowned for its scalability and ability to cater to businesses of various sizes, providing tools for email marketing, lead management, and analytics.
A specific campaign where Marketo showcased its capabilities involved a strategy to enhance lead nurturing and conversion for a client in the B2B sector. The client aimed to increase the number of qualified leads progressing through the sales funnel. Here's how we executed the campaign using Marketo:
Lead Segmentation: We segmented the leads based on demographic data and engagement levels. Segmentation was critical in tailoring the content to match the needs and interests of different groups.
Content Personalization: Using Marketo's dynamic content features, we personalized the emails sent to each segment. Personalization was based on the user's previous interactions with the client's digital touchpoints.
Automated Email Campaigns: We set up automated email sequences triggered by specific behaviors, such as visiting a particular webpage or downloading a white paper. Each email had a clear and compelling call-to-action, encouraging further engagement.
A/B Testing: We continuously tested various elements of our emails, including headlines, graphics, and CTAs. Marketo's A/B testing capabilities allowed us to refine our approach based on real-time data and optimize for the best performance.
Lead Scoring and Progressive Profiling: Marketo's lead scoring system helped us identify and prioritize hot leads ready for sales outreach. Progressive profiling enhanced our understanding of our leads over time, improving the relevance of the content we delivered.
Performance Measurement: Marketo's comprehensive analytics tools enabled us to measure every aspect of the campaign. We tracked engagement metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and ultimately, conversion rates to evaluate our success.
The campaign led to a 30% increase in lead conversion rates and a 50% growth in engagement with key content pieces. Marketo's robust automation and analytics tools played a pivotal role in achieving these results.
This example demonstrates how Marketo can effectively streamline marketing operations, personalize interactions based on user behavior, and drive significant improvements in lead generation and nurturing efforts.
Vishal Shah, Sr. Technical Consultant, WPWeb Infotech
Insurance and bonding clients have different risk profiles, which means blanket emails don't work. A new contractor looking for their first surety bond needs a different message than a seasoned business renewing a $500,000 bond. Salesforce Marketing Cloud handled this better than any other platform because of its deep segmentation capabilities. We could categorize clients by industry, contract size, claim history, and renewal timelines. That meant a first-time applicant didn't get overwhelmed with complex policy details meant for experienced business owners.
For anyone in finance or insurance, automation should feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch. Salesforce let us set up automated sequences that responded to customer actions. If someone opened an email about low-risk bonding options but didn't click, they got a follow-up with a simple FAQ. If they clicked but didn't apply, they got a case study showing how fast approvals worked. Good segmentation anticipates objections and answers them before the customer even asks.
Michael Benoit, Founder and Insurance Expert, ContractorBond
Gift-buying habits are unpredictable, but email marketing shouldn't be. We use Bloomreach because it combines AI-driven segmentation with deep behavioral tracking. It doesn't just sort customers into categories—it learns from their browsing habits and adapts campaigns in real time. If someone browses tech gifts but never purchases, they don't get a generic follow-up. Instead, they receive an email featuring the top-rated gadget gifts, customer reviews, and a "last chance" stock update. That approach increased our abandoned browse recovery rate by 40%.
Timing matters as much as content. Bloomreach lets us segment by purchase cycles and event-driven behavior. A customer who buys Christmas gifts in early November gets early-bird holiday deals, while last-minute shoppers see express shipping options. We even segment by gifting preferences—some customers prefer experience-based gifts, while others go for luxury items. When we started personalizing emails based on gift type rather than just demographics, email-driven conversions jumped by 35%.
Danilo Miranda, Managing Director, Presenteverso
From my experience, Campaigner has been the best email marketing automation platform for segmentation. We had a major issue with sending emails that were too broad, which meant a lot of them were being ignored. Residential clients looking for emergency repairs had completely different needs from commercial property managers who wanted ongoing maintenance, but our emails were not reflecting that difference.
With Campaigner, we were able to break down our audience into clear, targeted segments based on service history, level of engagement, and specific interests. Now, homeowners get emails about safety tips, urgent repair services, and seasonal maintenance reminders, while commercial clients receive updates about long-term service contracts and energy efficiency solutions. This shift made a huge impact because customers were finally getting content that was actually relevant to them.
Daniel Vasilevski, Director & Owner, Bright Force Electrical
Product segmentation makes marketing precise. Zoho Campaigns allows filtering based on past purchases, browsing behavior, and customer preferences. If someone buys a rainfall showerhead, they get emails about compatible valves and fittings. If they explore luxury brass fixtures but don't purchase, they get a price drop alert. Sending generic promotions would be a waste—targeted follow-ups keep customers engaged.
Dimitri Zobnin, Managing Director, House of Enki
Iterable offers segmentation that harnesses real-time behavioral data. So, this platform lets you filter your audience using over 30 distinct criteria. I mean, you can break down a list of 200,000 contacts into segments as small as 1,000 with precision. It employs dynamic data to keep segments updated with every interaction. This means every campaign gets refreshed data as fresh as 24 hours.
So, each campaign can target users who perform 5 or more interactions in the last 7 days. That level of granularity shows in a 15% boost in open rates and 10% in conversion rates from campaigns. Seriously, every contact turns into a data point that tells a story. This segmentation method turns broad data into narrow, actionable groups.
All that to say, its integration of behavioral triggers with purchase history yields segments that drive measurable improvements. You can easily set up campaigns that target as few as 0.5% of your list or as many as 80% if needed. For example, a segment of 0.5% in a list of 100,000 means 500 highly engaged users. In reality, this segmentation precision transforms your marketing campaigns.
Rick Newman, CEO and Founder, UCON Exhibitions
In my opinion, the best way to access the most powerful segmentation and automation features in email marketing is by combining Mailchimp and SendGrid. Mailchimp excels in user-friendly automation and detailed segmentation, while SendGrid provides superior deliverability and scalability. By integrating both platforms correctly, you can use their strengths to create highly targeted campaigns with excellent reach and engagement. If set up properly, this combination can significantly improve your email marketing performance, leading to a strong return on investment in no time.
Grigory Silanyan, Founder ReadPartner Inc.
Subscriber tagging creates precision. ConvertKit segments audiences based on behavior—whether they're students, parents, or tutors. A student looking for SAT prep sees different content than a parent searching for beginner math tutoring. Even within student groups, tagging helps refine emails—someone prepping for college gets study resources, while a struggling student receives confidence-building tips.
Lead magnet funnels bring in more students. Offering free study materials as a lead magnet attracts new subscribers. ConvertKit automates the follow-up sequence, gradually introducing students to paid tutoring services. Instead of pushing an aggressive sales pitch, the emails provide value first, establishing trust before suggesting premium services. This keeps conversion rates high while reducing email fatigue.
Tom Hamilton Stubber, Managing Director, TutorCruncher
I am very satisfied with GetResponse's segmentation features.
It combines granular, multi-criteria targeting—such as demographics, behavior, and purchase history—with dynamic, real-time updates that automatically adjust segments as customers interact with your brand.
Its seamless integration with lead scoring, tagging, and an intuitive workflow builder enables highly personalized, automated campaigns that drive engagement and conversions.
Nathan Brunner, CEO, boterview
Our audience is so diverse, segmentation is the heart of our email marketing strategy. I've tested multiple platforms, and I've found Customer.io offers some of the most powerful segmentation features—specifically in a way that few people highlight.
What I call "Context-Stacking" is where Customer.io excels. Sure, basic segmentation involves targeting subscribers by standard filters like demographics, location, or prior actions. But Customer.io kicks it up a notch with dynamic event-triggered workflows that stack all those pieces of context together in real time. For example, if a user finishes 70% of a particular playlist, opens emails only on weekdays, and almost always clicks subject lines that hint at "new releases," we can combine all those signals on-the-fly to create a hyper-relevant campaign tailored precisely to that person's listening habits and preferences.
The underappreciated beauty of Customer.io lies in its ability to adapt to changing user behavior. If a learner shifts from short-form daily reads to binge-listening entire textbooks over the weekend, Customer.io's event-based triggers can automatically pivot the segmentation—no manual list updates or re-tagging required. It's like having a living, breathing marketing assistant that constantly adjusts its recommendations based on nuanced user data.
When we used simpler email systems at Listening.com, we'd inevitably send "long content" invites to users who really only had time for quick tips or short summaries. Our unsubscribe rate soared. After switching to Customer.io's advanced segmentation, we rolled out a dynamic campaign series that monitors things like session length, listening frequency, and even the time of day people are most likely to open emails. By pairing these signals, our engagement rose by almost 40%, and unsubscribe rates dipped noticeably because we were no longer blasting people with irrelevant promotions.
Plenty of platforms promise "personalization," but true context-stacking at scale is often the missing piece. With Customer.io, you're essentially having a dialogue with your users--listening to their real-time actions and shifting accordingly—rather than just lumping them into static buckets. That two-way conversation is what sets the platform apart and keeps subscribers tuned in instead of tuning out.
Derek Pankaew, CEO & Founder, Listening.com
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