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5 reasons to use only one list in Mailchimp

Mailchimp logoThrough my Mailchimp consulting and training I’ve met with thousands of people that use Mailchimp. A questions that I get asked often is if there is limit in Mailchimp as to the number of allowed lists.

The answer is that there is no limit to the number of lists however, for reasons described below, the aim should be to have only one list and to segment that list rather than have multiple lists of subscribers. Segments are incredibly powerful and there are few customers that I’ve met that haven’t been able to use only a single list.

Reasons to use only one Mailchimp list

Here are the top reasons why you should only have one contact list in Mailchimp:

  1. You may break the law: When a person unsubscribes, they do so at the list level (not account level). If a person is in two lists then you may unknowingly send them a campaign from the second list.
  2. Mailchimp bills per email address: If you have the same email address in multiple lists then you will be billed multiple times for the same subscriber.
  3. Reporting is at the list and campaign levels: It will be difficult to get an accurate picture of historic open and click rates if you have multiple lists.
  4. Campaigns may not be sent to multiple lists: If you want to send an email campaign to all subscribers and have multiple lists then you’ll need to send multiple campaigns.
  5. Most integrations connect to a single list only: Whether you use WooCommerce, Shopify or any other integration into Mailchimp, you’ll usually only be able to connect to a single Mailchimp list.

How do I combine my existing Mailchimp lists

If you do have multiple lists then the two simple ways of combining lists are to:

  • Combine your lists in Mailchimp or
  • Export your lists and combine the subscriber data in Microsoft Excel and then import the subscribers into a new list (and delete the old lists).

The second option described above if far safer is you have data fields (columns) that are different in the lists. By using the second option above you will however lose historic reporting data.

If you need assistance with combining lists then I can help.

Found this useful? Please share:

Related

  • The Three Biggest Mailchimp Mistakes
  • Ready to Get Higher Mailchimp Click Rates?
  • How to delete Mailchimp Unsubscribed & Cleaned Contacts

Filed Under: Marketing

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    February 24, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    Perhaps it’s just me, but I find Mailchimp quite quirky. You say: Export your lists and combine the subscriber data in Microsoft Excel and then import the subscribers into a new list (and delete the old lists). But doesn’t that mean that when you re-import new list that every subscriber has to re-confirm their opt-ins? I know this is the case from getresponse. If you import cvs even with confirmed subscribers they have to re-confirm the subscription.

    Reply
    • Gary says

      February 27, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Hi Suzanne. If you import subscribers into a new list then a reconfirmation email won’t be sent by Mailchimp.

      Reply
  2. Abby says

    August 18, 2017 at 10:34 am

    I would like to have all subscribers in one list. However, I have created multiple opt-ins and through OptinMonster have each optin connected to categories on my site. Any tips on how to have one Mailchimp list, but multiple optins?

    Reply
    • Gary says

      August 22, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      By using GROUPS in a Mailchimp list you’ll be able to have multiple sign-up forms and also be able to distinguish categories selected by the subscriber from your sign-up forms.

      Reply
  3. Kris says

    September 10, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    Hi Gary, thanks for sharing your knowledge on Mailchimp!

    What I find really annoying with Mailchimp is the following – maybe you have some advice?

    If you have just 1 list, but various opt-in forms for various groups, Mailchimp does not allow you to customize the or the .

    So different groups having signed-up for different products get directed to the SAME Sign-up Thank you page and the SAME Confirmation Thank you page.

    Whether it was a newsletter, an ebook, a webinar or a free-training.

    I find this very limiting.

    Or is it just me not having figured out how to do it?

    Reply
    • yi says

      February 16, 2018 at 4:47 am

      Hi Kris,

      I am facing the same issue as you described. Have you found a solution it it?

      Reply
  4. Alex says

    May 11, 2019 at 7:11 am

    I have a question about whether to create a new audience and move subscribers, use segmentation, or to create a new second account.

    So I currently have a website where I sell art at http://www.familytreedesign.net. One of my collections called “50 Staes of Beauty” has really grown, and is a lot different from everything else. The people interested in “50 Staes of Beauty” are also a much different demographic, and it’s making marketing harder. So I’ve decided to split this collection off into it’s own brand and website, social media channel, etc. But now I need to figure out how to separate the email list. So that each subscriber only gets the relevant emails, and from the right source/branding. So I’ll be sending from two different emails, and using two different templates etc. Achieving that with segmentation seems like there would be more room for error, since these will be almost two different businesses. What’s the best practice for such a situation?

    Reply
    • Gary says

      May 11, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      Alex, you could either use two audiences or tag/segment one audience. Use whichever option you prefer.

      Reply
  5. Adi says

    October 30, 2019 at 2:27 am

    Hi, I hav e2 audiences. On one are approx 590 contacts, in the other are 160. I want to add more contacts in the Audoence with 590 contacta, but it says you reached a limit?! How that , when we have only 750 contact in the audiences

    Reply
    • Gary says

      October 30, 2019 at 7:20 am

      Adi, it will be best to contact Mailchimp about this.

      Reply
  6. Anna says

    April 6, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    Hi Gary,
    How many audiences can I have with a free Mailchimp account?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Gary says

      April 7, 2020 at 8:37 am

      One 🙂

      Reply

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