A mapping is a type of profile-based automation.

You can use a mapping to assign one of several possible values to a contact. This is based on an analysis of the data in his profile. A mapping allows you to perform a more complex analysis of profile data than ​Selections​ or the ​Selection Builder​.

A mapping consists of one or more expressions or a Engage function. You can add multiple conditions to one mapping. Each condition has a separate result. This allows you to perform complex data modifications.

The target attribute must be enumerated or Boolean.

You can also create a simple mapping with a selection. The selection must be based on profile attribute data or related data. You cannot use a selection based on group data or recipient activity data.

You can only create profile-based automations with the data currently stored in contacts' profiles. Related data, group membership data and recipient activity data are not directly available for use. However, you can create event-based automations that write group membership data and recipient activity data to contacts' profiles. This data is then available for profile-based automations. For more information, see Event-Based Automation​.

Scenarios​

The following table describes some common scenarios for mappings.

Scenario

Description

Instructions

Simple Category Mapping

Group several different domains, postal codes, telephone area codes or other information to create categories of contacts.

​Recipient Activity Mapping​

Product Interest Mapping

Identify what types of products your contacts are interested in, based on their previous click behavior.

​Product Interest Mapping​

VIP Customer Mapping

Identify your VIP customers based on the number of purchases they make, taking into account how long they have been group members.

​VIP Customer Mapping​

Behavior Mapping

Categorize contacts into hot / warm / cold or gold / silver / bronze depending on the date of their most recent click or purchase behavior.

Recipient Activity Mapping​

Profile-based automations use expression language. This chapter provides many example expressions that you can modify and use. To create your own complex profile-based automations, you need to know how to write expression language.

You can also create a simple mapping with a selection. The selection must be based on profile attribute data or related data. You cannot use a selection based on group data or recipient activity data.