As your audience grows, so does the number of segments you create for analysis, targeting, and personalization. Over time, this list can become cluttered with segments you no longer actively use, making it harder to manage the ones that matter most.
To help keep your workspace organized, Omnisend has a segment archiving feature. In this article, you'll learn how segments are archived (automatically and manually) and how to restore them.
Before You Begin
Inactive segments are automatically archived after 90 days (more details on the criteria below).
You can manually archive any segment at any time.
View all archived segments under Audience → Segments → View archived segments.
When a segment is archived, all contacts are removed from it, and the rules become read-only.
Archived segments aren't deleted; you can restore them anytime.
Benefits
Archiving unused segments keeps your workspace organized and easier to navigate. Here's how:
Keep your active segment view focused on current campaigns.
Reduce the risk of mistakenly using outdated or irrelevant segments in campaigns or Automation.
Separate testing or temporary segments from core audience segments.
A shorter segment list loads faster.
Automatic Segment Archiving
Omnisend will automatically archive any segment that has been inactive for 90 days in a row.
A segment is considered inactive if it has not been used in any of the following ways during the last 90 days:
Included in an Automation workflow.
Used in a sent or scheduled Email Campaign.
Applied to a Signup Form targeting settings.
Used for a contact export.
Used for audience sync.
Marked as a favorite.
When a segment is automatically archived for the first time in your store, you'll receive a one-time in-app notification informing you about the action. After that, the process continues automatically in the background.
All your archived segments can be accessed under Audience → Segments → View archived segments.
💡 Mark your selected segments as favorites so that they:
Appear at the top of your segment list, and
Never get automatically archived.
Manual Segment Archiving
You can also manually archive any segment to keep your list organized. Go to Audience → Segments → Click the three dots → Select Archive.
If your segment is currently used in any Automation, Signup Form, or scheduled Email Campaign, Omnisend will notify you before confirming the archive.
⚠️ Important! Archiving a segment that is in active use can interrupt your campaigns, Automation, or form targeting. Make sure the segment is no longer used before proceeding.
Restoring Archived Segments
If you need to use an archived segment again, you can restore it to your active list at any time. To restore a segment, go to Audience → Segments → View archived segments → Click the three dots next to your segment → Select Restore.
Once restored, the segment works as it did before. This allows you to resume using your segment without recreating it from scratch.
Note: If no segments have been archived yet, the Archived Segments list will appear empty.
FAQ
Can I still see my Segment Engagement data under reports after it's archived?
Yes, you can still see your segment data under Reports → Campaigns → Segment Engagement.
How do I prevent segments I use seasonally (every 6–12 months) from being auto-archived?
Mark those segments as favorites. Favorited segments never get auto-archived, even if unused for months. Go to Audience → Segments, find the segment, and click the star icon next to its name.
Will contacts receive an "exited segment" event when a segment is archived?
No, archiving a segment does not trigger entry or exit events for the contacts within it. These events only occur when segment conditions change or when a contact's data updates in a way that affects segment membership.
Can I still use an archived segment in a campaign?
No, you need to restore the segment first before using it in your campaign or automation.
Can I export archived segments?
No, archived segments have no contacts, so you need to restore them before the export.
What if my segment is used in an automation?
If your segment is used in an automation, it won't be archived automatically unless you archive it manually. We do not recommend archiving segments used in an automation, as it will prevent the automation from running correctly.
Will archiving reduce my billing contact limit?
No. Archived segments don't affect your contact count. Only unsubscribed or deleted contacts reduce your billable limit.
When a segment is archived, are the contacts in it also archived or deleted?
No. When you archive a segment, contacts remain in your account and continue to count toward billing. Only the segment itself (the grouping/rules) is archived. Contacts are removed from that segment but aren't deleted or unsubscribed.
Got other questions? Message us in-app or send an email to [email protected]. We’re here for you 24/7.