> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fanfare.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Audience

> Build custom audiences to target specific consumer segments

This guide walks you through creating new audiences in Fanfare, including both static and dynamic audience types.

## Starting Audience Creation

1. Navigate to **Audiences** in the sidebar
2. Click the **Create** button
3. Select **Create Audience** from the dropdown

*Caption: The audience creation form*

## Audience Configuration

### Basic Information

| Field           | Required | Description                       |
| --------------- | -------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Name**        | Yes      | Display name for the audience     |
| **Description** | No       | Internal notes about the audience |
| **Type**        | Yes      | Dynamic or Static                 |

*Caption: Enter basic audience information*

### Dynamic Audiences

Dynamic audiences use rules to automatically determine membership. Consumers who match the rules are automatically included.

**Advantages:**

* Membership updates automatically
* No manual maintenance required
* Scales with your customer base

**Best For:**

* Behavioral targeting
* Loyalty-based access
* Attribute-based segments

See [Membership Rules](/dashboard/audiences/membership-rules) for rule configuration details.

### Static Audiences

Static audiences contain manually-specified members. You control exactly who is included.

**Advantages:**

* Complete control over membership
* No rule complexity
* Easy to understand

**Best For:**

* VIP lists
* Invite-only access
* Test groups

## Creating a Dynamic Audience

1. Set Type to **Dynamic**
2. Click **Add Rule** to define membership criteria
3. Configure rule conditions
4. Save the audience

*Caption: Configure rules for dynamic audience membership*

### Rule Builder

The rule builder lets you define conditions:

| Component    | Description                                            |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Field**    | Consumer attribute to evaluate                         |
| **Operator** | Comparison type (equals, contains, greater than, etc.) |
| **Value**    | Value to compare against                               |
| **Logic**    | AND/OR between multiple rules                          |

Example rules:

* Email domain equals "company.com"
* Loyalty points greater than 1000
* Purchase count greater than 5
* Tag contains "VIP"

*Caption: Build complex rules with multiple conditions*

## Creating a Static Audience

1. Set Type to **Static**
2. Choose how to add members:
   * Search and add individually
   * Import from CSV
3. Save the audience

*Caption: Add specific consumers to a static audience*

### Adding Members Manually

1. Use the search field to find consumers
2. Search by email, name, or phone
3. Click to add found consumers
4. Repeat for additional members

### Adding Members via Import

For bulk additions:

1. Click **Import from CSV**
2. Upload a CSV with consumer identifiers
3. Map columns to fields
4. Confirm the import

See [Import Consumers](/dashboard/audiences/import-consumers) for detailed import instructions.

## Advanced Options

### Audience Settings

| Setting      | Description                       |
| ------------ | --------------------------------- |
| **Hidden**   | Hide from audience selectors      |
| **Archived** | Mark as inactive without deleting |

Audiences define membership and eligibility. When multiple access paths could apply to a consumer, ordering is configured on the experience sequence, not on the audience.

### External Identifiers

Link audiences to external systems:

| Field            | Description                   |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------- |
| **External ID**  | Your system's identifier      |
| **Source**       | Where the audience originated |
| **Sync Enabled** | Keep synced with source       |

## Saving the Audience

1. Review all configuration
2. Click **Create Audience**
3. Wait for confirmation

*Caption: Click Create Audience to save*

### Operational Follow-Up

After successful creation:

* You're redirected to the audience detail page
* For dynamic audiences, membership is calculated
* For static audiences, any imported members appear

## Editing Audiences

To modify an existing audience:

1. Navigate to the audience detail page
2. Edit any field directly
3. Changes save automatically or via Save button

### Changing Audience Type

<Warning>
  You cannot change an audience from Dynamic to Static or vice versa after creation. Create a new audience if you need a different type.
</Warning>

## Duplicating Audiences

Create a copy of an existing audience:

1. From the audiences list, open the actions menu
2. Click **Duplicate**
3. A new audience is created with "Copy of" prefix
4. Edit the copy as needed

## Use Cases

### VIP Customer List

**Type:** Static

1. Create a static audience named "VIP Customers"
2. Manually add your most valuable customers
3. Use for early access to new products

### High-Value Shoppers

**Type:** Dynamic

1. Create a dynamic audience
2. Add rule: Total spend > \$1000
3. Audience automatically includes qualifying customers

### Beta Testers

**Type:** Static

1. Create a static audience named "Beta Testers"
2. Add team members and test users
3. Use for testing new experiences before launch

### Loyalty Members

**Type:** Dynamic

1. Create a dynamic audience
2. Add rule: Loyalty tier equals "Gold"
3. Members automatically sync as loyalty status changes

## Best Practices

### Before Creating

1. **Define your goal** - Know who should be included
2. **Choose the right type** - Dynamic for changing criteria, Static for fixed lists
3. **Check for duplicates** - Avoid creating overlapping audiences

### During Configuration

1. **Use clear names** - Include key criteria in the name
2. **Add descriptions** - Document the audience purpose
3. **Test rules** - Verify dynamic rules match expected consumers

### After Creation

1. **Verify membership** - Check the member count matches expectations
2. **Test in experience** - Create a test experience to confirm access
3. **Monitor growth** - Track how dynamic audiences change over time

## Troubleshooting

### No Members Showing

For dynamic audiences:

* Verify rule logic is correct
* Check that consumers exist matching the criteria
* Ensure operators are correct (equals vs. contains)

For static audiences:

* Confirm members were added successfully
* Check the import completed without errors

### Wrong Members Included

For dynamic audiences:

* Review rule conditions
* Check for unintended rule combinations
* Verify AND/OR logic

### Can't Find Consumers to Add

When searching for consumers to add:

* Verify the consumer exists in the system
* Try different search criteria (email, phone, name)
* Check for typos in search terms

## Related Guides

* [Membership Rules](/dashboard/audiences/membership-rules) - Detailed rule configuration
* [Import Consumers](/dashboard/audiences/import-consumers) - Bulk import guide
* [Audiences Overview](/dashboard/audiences/overview) - Managing audiences