Zoho Marketing Automation Update: Topics, Contacts, and List Management

Zoho Marketing Automation Update: Topics, Contacts, and List Management

At Zoho Marketing Automation, our highest priority is making it easier for you to use our product to accomplish your business goals. With that in mind, we are updating three of our pivotal features: Topic, Contacts, and List Management.
 
These existing features have been tweaked to be more user-friendly and intuitive. They are exclusively designed to give the end-user the power to choose the kind of content they want to receive.
 
Existing users have time till September 30, 2022 to migrate to the new system. We have ensured a seamless migration, not impacting the previous set up. However, you can always reach out to support@zohomarketingautomation.com if you need assistance. 
 
Here are some of the key developments 
 
List and Contact Management
 
  • When adding contacts (called "leads" within the app), you will have to choose a subscription type for each contact: a marketing contact, a non-marketing contact, or an unsubscribed contact.
  • When adding contacts, you can directly import them to the "All leads" database.
  • It is now possible to associate multiple Topics to contacts on the same list. When a user sends an email campaign to a list, only those contacts who are subscribed to the same Topic as the one associated with the email campaign will receive the email. For example, the campaign "Webinar promotion" is assigned to the list "New signups." Now only those contacts associated to the topic "Webinars" from the mailing list "New signups" will receive the email.
 
Topic Management 
 
  • Topics will be maintained at the organization level. This means when someone unsubscribes, the contact is removed from the organization. 
  • However, the "Manage preferences" link will be present in the confirmation page where subscribers will get to choose the Topics they are interested in.
  • Enabling Topics for all their email campaigns is now mandatory. Also, Topics must be assigned to automated emails that are part of journeys.
  • Topics will no longer be associated with a list. Instead, they will be directly associated with contacts.
 
These updates will be made available globally by September 21, 2021. 
 
We will enforce this new topic management setup for all users that sign up after September 21, 2021. 

 
For existing customers
 
  • Existing customers do not have to worry as any manual adjustments will not be required. The migration will be seamless and won't impact any previous setup that they might have had. 
  • An existing organization that doesn't have Topics enabled can enable it at any time until September 30, 2022. When enabled, we will enforce the new Topic Management system by creating a default Topic called "Marketing." Users can manage their organization's products and Topics as desired. 
  • Existing organizations that already use Topics can choose to migrate to the new Topic Management system anytime until September 30, 2022. Once enabled, this change cannot be reverted. We have put in place all the necessary implementations to make sure this transition is frictionless. 
 
A user can choose to opt for the new Topic Management system with just the click of a button. Beyond September 30, 2022, we will automatically enable new Topic Management for all existing users. 


Here is a side by side comparison of the old and the new topic management approach.
Highlights
Topics
Contacts
Marketing Types
Misc


FAQs

When do these updates go live?
You can adopt the new Topic Management approach any time before September 30, 2022. Once you switch, every functionality, from campaign sending to list and contact management, will take effect and you can experience hassle-free email marketing.

I've already set up topics in my Zoho Marketing Automation account. Will switching to the new setup erase all my previous topics? 
No, all your current topics will be seamlessly migrated to the new setup. We will provide any help you need.

I don't have even a single topic created in my account. What happens when I set up topic management? 
We mandate that your organization has at least one topic created. Zoho Marketing Automation adds a topic named Marketing by default when you configure topics for your account.  

What happens to my active journeys after these changes?
The active journeys remain unchanged.
 
 
We highly recommend you go through this page and watch this video to get a detailed breakdown of this update.

**Note: Release Notes Attached as PDF
    • Sticky Posts

    • Marketer’s Space - Automating CRM Actions with Journeys – Part 2

      Hello marketers! Welcome back to another post in Marketer’s Space. In our previous post, we explored how CRM actions in Journeys help marketing and sales teams work together by nurturing CRM leads and pushing only engaged prospects back to sales. If you
    • Introducing automation and utility conversations in WhatsApp marketing

      We’re excited to announce the addition of two new features to our WhatsApp integration: Automation and Utility conversations. These enhancements will allow you to streamline your marketing efforts and engage with your customers more effectively by automating
    • Tip of the week 02 - The art of 'seeing' your leads

      What's the last page that your lead visited before signing up for your brand? What was the page that first convinced your lead to explore more about you? Where are your leads coming in from? Well, these are some perennial questions today's marketers live upon. And, knowing the answers to these questions is crucial, considering the vitality of leads in every business. In the journey of finding lead opportunities, it's important to understand that every detail about a lead is useful. While the channels
    • Zoho Marketing Automation Update: Topics, Contacts, and List Management

      At Zoho Marketing Automation, our highest priority is making it easier for you to use our product to accomplish your business goals. With that in mind, we are updating three of our pivotal features: Topic, Contacts, and List Management.   These existing
    • Important: Zoho MarketingHub is now Zoho Marketing Automation

      Hello Everyone,   We hope you all are doing well. We'd like to notify you that we have rebranded Zoho MarketingHub to Zoho Marketing Automation. We'll discontinue using the term "MarketingHub" from May 26, 2021. However, there will be no changes in the
      • Recent Topics

      • Lightbox Pop-up form

        I would like to embed my form using the lightbox pop up. I don't want it to load automatically. I want it to load when some clicks the button. I can see this option, however when I use the "show pop-up launch button" on the website, the button automatically
      • Zoho CRM for Everyone's NextGen UI Gets an Upgrade

        Hello Everyone We've made improvements to Zoho CRM for Everyone's Nextgen UI. These changes are the result of valuable feedback from you where we’ve focused on improving usability, providing wider screen space, and making navigation smoother so everything
      • Customer Management: #5 Never Let the Customer Slip

        When Rahul started Knight's Watch Consulting, his focus was simple: deliver good work and keep clients happy. He offered one-time consulting projects, monthly advisory retainers and usage-based support for growing clients. Business was steady, and customers
      • 10GB Email Storage Limits in Zoho CRM

        We’ve had Zoho One for almost 5 years and have always synced our emails from Gmail via IMAP… As of late, we’ve run into issues with our emails not syncing, due to being over the 10GB storage cap… What’s very odd is that we haven’t changed a thing? I know
      • Zoho Projects Android and iOS app update: Mobile device permission based on user profiles

        Hello everyone! We have brought in support for mobile device permissions based on the user profiles which are configured in organization level. Administrators can now configure the permissions on the web app(projects.zoho.com) by following the steps mentioned
      • Zoho Projects Android and iOS app update: Timesheet module is now renamed as 'Time Logs', delete option has been renamed to 'Trash'.

        Hello everyone! We have now renamed the Timesheet module as Time Logs and the delete option as 'Trash' on the Zoho Projects Android and iOS app. Time Logs Android: Time Logs iOS: Trash option Android: Trash option iOS: Please update the app to the latest
      • Zoho Mail app update: Manage profile picture, Chinese (Traditional) language support

        Hello everyone! In the latest version (v3.1.9) of the Zoho Mail app update, we have brought in support to manage profile picture. You can now set/ modify the profile picture within the app. To add a new profile picture, please follow the below steps:
      • Reminders for Article Approval

        Is there a way to send reminders for approvers to review articles and approve/deny them? I'm not seeing that option anywhere.
      • To print Multiple delivery notes in batches

        In Zoho Books, we can print a Delivery Note from an Invoice using the Print Delivery Note option, but it is non-editable and always prints all line items from the invoice. Our requirement is to deliver invoiced items in batches and print delivery notes
      • Add Full-Screen Viewing for Quartz Recordings in the Client Interface

        Hi Zoho Team, We would like to request an enhancement to the Zoho Quartz client interface when viewing submitted recordings. Current Limitation: When viewing a Quartz recording from the client (user) interface, there is currently no option to switch the
      • 2025 Recap: A Year to Remember | Zoho Inventory

      • Important Update : Pipedrive deprecated fields no longer supported in Zoho Analytics

        Dear Pipedrive users, We would like to inform you about a recent update related to your Pipedrive integration with Zoho Analytics. The Pipedrive team has deprecated certain fields from their application. You can find more details in the official Pipedrive
      • Product Updates in Zoho Workplace applications | November 2025

        Hello Workplace Community, Let’s take a look at the new features and enhancements that went live across all Workplace applications this November. Zoho Mail Format comments easily using Slash Commands With Slash commands, you can easily format text, insert
      • Right-Click Pipeline to Open in New Tab

        Please add the ability to right-click on a pipeline to open it in a new tab
      • Adjusting Physical Inventory

        Not getting very far with support on this one, they say they are going to fix it but nothings happened since November. Please give this a thumbs up if you would like to see this feature or comment if you have some insight. Use Case: Inventory set to be
      • Deluge date time issue

        The deluge function info zoho.currentdate.toString("MMM/YYYY") returns Dec 2026 instead of 2025
      • Sending automated messages that appear in the ticket's conversation thread

        Good morning, esteemed Zoho Desk community, warm greetings Today I am here to raise the following problem, seeking a solution that I can implement: I need to implement an automation that allows me to send reminder messages to customers when I am waiting
      • Issue with Zoho Creator Form Full-Screen View in CRM Related List Integration

        Hi Team, We have created a custom application in Zoho Creator and integrated it into Zoho CRM as a related list under the Vendor module, which we have renamed as Consignors. Within the Creator application, there is a form named “Pickup Request.” Inside
      • sync views to sheet

        Im looking to sync my views aka reports in analytics to zoho sheets, when data is updated in analytics it also should be updated in sheets, till now zoho sheets only offer raw data connection and it is not enough as these reports are difficult to re-do
      • How to update the Status in a custom module?

        Hi, I have a custom module "cm_payment_registry" in Billing, I am trying to change the status which is "Draft" with: array = {"custom_status":"Approved"}; zoho.billing.update("cm_payment_registry",organization.get("organization_id"), XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, array,"connectionname");
      • how to add email to existing organization i w

        I am already registered my organization and i have an email id. I need one more email id but i can't find anywhere .i want the cheapest email id . how to add ?
      • is it possible to add more than one Whatsapp Phone Number to be integrated to Zoho CRM?

        so I have successfully added one Whatsapp number like this from this User Interface it seems I can't add a new Whatsapp Number. I need to add a new Whatsapp Number so I can control the lead assignment if a chat sent to Whatsapp Phone Number 1 then assign
      • Replace Zoho Invoice with QuickBooks

        We are implementing Zoho FSM for a cleaning business in the US with 50+ field workers. This business has been using Quickbooks for accounting for decades and will not migrate to Zoho Books. A major issue in the integration is the US sales tax calculation.
      • 2025 Highlights: A Year of Steady Progress and Significant Developments

        As we come to the end of 2025, let's take a moment to reflect on the significant progress and developments we've made to improve your travel and expense management. In the Spotlight Introducing Online Booking (US edition only - Early access) Enable online
      • e-mail bloqueado

        Estou com meu e-mail lucas@peplus.me bloqueado, preciso desbloquear para retorno de usos em minhas atividades.
      • ¿Cómo puedo configurar las contraseñas creadas bajo una directiva para que nunca caduquen y no aparezcan como caducadas en los informes?

        ¿Cómo puedo configurar las contraseñas creadas bajo una directiva para que nunca caduquen y no aparezcan como caducadas en los informes? La razón por la cual contraseña estas no deben caducar es porque su actualización depende de mi cliente y no de mí.
      • Function #42: Show the actual rate of items on invoices

        Hello everyone, and welcome back to our series! In Zoho Books, you have the ability to create Price Lists, wherein you can mark up and mark down the item rates by a specific percentage or set custom rates. Generally, when you apply a price list to an
      • Ability to Set Text Direction for Individual Cells in Zoho Sheet

        Dear Zoho Sheet Team, We hope you are doing well. We would like to request an enhancement in Zoho Sheet that allows users to set the text direction (right-to-left or left-to-right) for individual cells, similar to what is available in Google Sheets. Use
      • New in CRM: Dynamic filters for lookup fields

        Last modified on Oct 28, 2024: This feature was initially available only through Early Access upon request. It is now available to all users across all data centers, except for the IN DC. Users in the IN DC can temporarily request access using this form
      • Warehouse fast processing

        Hey guys, would anyone be interested in something like the attached image ? If there's any interest I'd be willing to develop it further for others to use, it's much faster than using Zohos native solutions, it can part pack, pack in full, part ship,
      • Can't change form's original name in URL

        Hi all, I have been duplicating + editing forms for jobs regarding the same department to maintain formatting + styling. The issue I've not run into is because I've duplicated it from an existing form, the URL doesn't seem to want to update with the new
      • Start/Stop Timmer in Chrome Extension

        The chrome extension is great and allows you to do allot however one of the most common things employees working on projects need to do is track their time. Having an easy start/stop timer to track time would be great.
      • Invalid collection string

        I haven't changed anything in one of my functions. I'm trying to run it manually and suddenly "Invalid collection string" appears. My code has 6 lines and the error says that the error is on 7th line. Why? What does this error mean? Nothing has been changed
      • Zoho Directory 2025: New Features | Security Enhancements | Enriched UI

        Hello everyone, Greetings from the Zoho Directory team! 2025 has been a highly successful year for Zoho Directory. We are delighted to introduce a fresh set of features, an enriched UI, and major product enhancements. These updates aim to deliver a smoother
      • Bulk Schedule for Posting TikTok

        Hallo, We have a client whose business is a social media agency specifically TikTok. Currently they are handling 30 TikTok accounts from. I think zoho Social can handle it with Agency License + with Add on 10 Brands. Their concern is related to posting
      • zoho people 5 report

        How do I customize my report in Zoho People Report? I understand that I can get the results of multi-table queries through SQL join statements, but I don't know the relationship between each table. I tried to create a report using Attendance User Report
      • Leave Report Emailed Weekly

        I am wondering if someone knows how to have a report generated either weekly or monthly or both for department heads and ownership of upcoming employee leave. For instance, it would be nice to get an emailed report on Friday for the upcoming week of who
      • Zoho Flow Decision Continuing Despite Not Meeting Conditions

        I have a picklist field called Lead Status in the leads module, with the following lead Statuses: New Lead Attempted Contact - 1 Attempted Contact - 2 Attempted Contact - 3 Attempted Contact - 4 Attempted Contact - 5 Attempted Contact - 6 Attempted Contact
      • zoho labels api not working

        We're using n8n to automte email reply using zoho api. I'm facing issue with label api. I added the required scopes but its not working. i followed zoho api documentation but didn't work. also, where do i find/how do i create zoho oauth token mentioneeed
      • Zoho Books Sandbox environment

        Hello. Is there a free sandbox environment for the developers using Zoho Books API? I am working on the Zoho Books add-on and currently not ready to buy a premium service - maybe later when my add-on will start to bring money. Right now I just need a
      • Next Page