Import Consumers
Import consumers in bulk using CSV files or integrations like Klaviyo. This guide covers all import methods and best practices for successful data imports.Import Methods
| Method | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CSV Upload | Upload a CSV file | One-time imports, migrations |
| Klaviyo Import | Sync from Klaviyo lists | Ongoing marketing sync |
CSV Import
Starting a CSV Import
- Navigate to Audiences in the sidebar
- Click Create > Import Audience
- Follow the import wizard
File Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Format | CSV (comma-separated values) |
| Encoding | UTF-8 |
| Max Size | 10 MB |
| Max Rows | 100,000 rows |
| Header Row | Required |
Required Fields
At minimum, your CSV must include one identifier:| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Email address (recommended) | [email protected] | |
| phone | Phone number | +1234567890 |
| externalId | Your system’s ID | CUST-12345 |
Optional Fields
Include additional data to enrich consumer profiles:| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| firstName | First name | John |
| lastName | Last name | Smith |
| fullName | Full name | John Smith |
| tags | Comma-separated tags | VIP,Newsletter,Beta |
| loyaltyPoints | Current points | 1500 |
| loyaltyTier | Tier name | Gold |
| metadata | JSON custom data | {"source":"import"} |
Example CSV
Import Wizard Steps
Step 1: Upload File
- Drag and drop your CSV file
- Or click to browse and select
- File is validated for format
Step 2: Map Fields
Map your CSV columns to Fanfare consumer fields:- Review detected columns
- Select matching Fanfare field for each
- Skip columns you don’t want to import
- Validate mappings
Step 3: Configure Audience
Set up how imported consumers will be organized:| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Create New Audience | Create a new audience with imported consumers |
| Add to Existing | Add consumers to an existing audience |
| Update Only | Update existing consumers, don’t create new |
Step 4: Review & Import
- Review the import summary
- Check for validation warnings
- Click Start Import
- Wait for processing
Step 5: Monitor Progress
Track import progress:- Progress bar shows completion
- Errors are logged for review
- Success count updates in real-time
Handling Duplicates
Duplicate Detection
Duplicates are detected by:- Email (primary)
- Phone (secondary)
- External ID (if provided)
Duplicate Handling Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Skip | Don’t import duplicates |
| Update | Update existing with new data |
| Create New | Create separate record (not recommended) |
Klaviyo Import
If Klaviyo is configured, import directly from Klaviyo lists.Prerequisites
- Klaviyo integration configured in Settings
- API key with list access
- Lists exist in Klaviyo
Starting Klaviyo Import
- Navigate to Audiences > Create > Import from Klaviyo
- Select the Klaviyo list to import
- Configure sync settings
- Start import
Sync Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| One-time Import | Import once, no ongoing sync |
| Continuous Sync | Keep synced with Klaviyo list |
Synced Audiences
When continuous sync is enabled:- New Klaviyo subscribers are added automatically
- Removed subscribers are removed from audience
- Audience displays sync status and last sync time
Import Errors
Common Errors
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid email | Malformed email address | Fix email format in CSV |
| Missing required field | No identifier provided | Ensure email/phone/externalId |
| Invalid phone | Phone format incorrect | Use E.164 format (+1234567890) |
| Row too long | Data exceeds limits | Check for extra commas |
| Encoding error | Wrong file encoding | Save as UTF-8 |
Error Report
After import, download the error report:- Click Download Error Report
- Review failed rows and reasons
- Fix issues in original CSV
- Re-import failed rows only
Best Practices
Before Import
- Clean your data - Remove duplicates, fix formatting
- Validate emails - Ensure valid email formats
- Use UTF-8 - Save CSV with proper encoding
- Test with small batch - Import 100 rows first
During Import
- Don’t close the browser - Let import complete
- Monitor progress - Watch for unexpected errors
- Note the import ID - For troubleshooting
After Import
- Review the summary - Check success/error counts
- Verify a sample - Check random consumers imported correctly
- Download error report - Review any failures
- Clean up - Delete source files with sensitive data
Data Privacy
Handling Sensitive Data
- Don’t import unnecessary personal data
- Consider data minimization
- Comply with GDPR/CCPA requirements
- Document data sources
Data Retention
- Imported consumer data is subject to your retention policies
- Sync sources are documented for compliance
- Audit trail available for imports
Troubleshooting
Import Stuck at 0%
- Check file size isn’t too large
- Verify file format is correct CSV
- Try refreshing the page
- Re-upload the file
Import Completed but No Consumers
- Check duplicate handling settings
- Verify field mapping was correct
- Review error report
- Ensure file had data rows
Consumers Missing Data
- Check field mapping
- Verify column names in CSV
- Look for encoding issues
- Check for extra whitespace
Related Guides
- Audiences Overview - Managing audiences
- Create Audience - Manual creation
- Settings > Integrations - Configure Klaviyo