Who This Is For / When to Use
This article is for users who want to:
Automatically run onboarding or lead routing when a new contact is created.
Trigger workflows only for specific types of new contacts.
Control automation based on how a contact enters the account.
Use this trigger when you want automation to begin immediately after a contact is added.
What the Contact Created Trigger Does
Fires when a new contact record is created.
Enrolls the contact into the workflow immediately.
Can be filtered to target only specific contacts.
This trigger evaluates filters before the contact enters the workflow.
Step 1: Create or Open a Workflow
Navigate to Automations in the left sidebar.
Click Workflows.
Select + Create Workflow or open an existing workflow.
Step 2: Add the Contact Created Trigger
In the workflow builder, click Add New Trigger.
Search for Contact Created or select it from the Contact trigger category.
Step 3: Configure Trigger Settings
Choose a Workflow Trigger: Contact Created
Workflow Trigger Name: (Optional)
Used only for identification inside the workflow builder.
Does not affect trigger logic or behavior.
Step 4: Apply Trigger Filters
Filters control which newly created contacts enter the workflow.
Available Filters
Has Tag
Only allows contacts with a specific tag to enter the workflow.Custom Fields
Limits workflow entry to contacts who meet defined custom field conditions.Created via Source
Triggers the workflow only when contacts are created through selected sources, such as:Manual creation
Form submission
API
Integration
This filter is useful for excluding bulk imports or non-actionable contact creation events.
Step 5: Save the Trigger
Review the trigger configuration.
Click Save Trigger.
Step 6: Add Workflow Actions
After saving the trigger, add one or more workflow actions.
Common actions include:
Assign contact owner
Apply tags
Send welcome email or SMS
Update contact fields
Create tasks or opportunities
Any workflow action can be used with this trigger.
Step 7: Save, Test, and Publish the Workflow
Click Save in the top-right corner.
Use Test Workflow to confirm expected behavior.
Toggle Publish to activate the workflow.
Once published, the workflow will trigger for all qualifying new contacts.
Common Issues and Fixes
Workflow does not trigger
Confirm the workflow is published.
Check trigger filters for restrictions.
Verify the contact was newly created, not updated.
Workflow triggers for unwanted contacts
Add Created via Source, tag, or custom field filters.
FAQ
Will this trigger run for bulk imported contacts?
No. Bulk imports do not trigger the Contact Created workflow. This prevents automation overload. Imported contacts must be enrolled manually or via a separate workflow.
Can I limit this trigger to specific contacts?
Yes. Use filters such as Has Tag, Custom Fields, or Created via Source to control which contacts enter the workflow.
What happens if the same contact is added again?
If the system detects the contact as an existing record, the trigger does not fire. If the contact is created as a new record, the workflow runs normally.
Can I automatically assign new contacts to team members?
Yes. Use workflow actions such as contact owner assignment or round-robin routing.
Does changing the Workflow Trigger Name affect functionality?
No. The trigger name only affects how it appears in the workflow builder and has no impact on logic or execution.
How can I confirm the workflow is active?
Ensure the workflow is set to Publish and use Test Workflow to validate behavior before going live.