Types of List: Active vs Dynamic vs Static

[MWanson]

Hello all,

I am new and still learning more about HubSpot. I can see that there are 2 types of Lists which are Active and Static. On a static list, it is manually updated, while the Active list automatically updates depending on the set criteria. What is a Dynamic List? Is a Dynamic list the same as an Active list? Where do you usually use a Dynamic list?

Thank you

[SRussell_FA]

mistake*

[Issam-Alzouby]

Hi MWanson! I recently began working with a new company and they had been using static lists rather than active lists. Seeing all the issues with static lists and workfloiws I decided to write this article: The Pitfalls of Using Static Lists in HubSpot Workflows and Why Active Lists Are Better (alzoubyissa...

We are now only using active lists. Our databases are the cleanest theyd ever been. Going from hundreds of workflows to less than a hundred has mitigated risk of errors and allowed us to focus on automating our systems.

[kvlschaefer]

Hi @MWanson 

Happy to help! An Active List is HubSpot terminology for a Dynamic List, so they are the same thing 🙂

An active list updates based on properties you specify in the filters section of the lists tool. Here are some examples of active list criteria:

• Sending unique marketing emails based on each contact's behavior and properties. For example, you could filter contacts who have only interacted with 5 or marketing email opens. 
• Group contacts on a certain property for outreach purposes. For example, Lifecycle Stage = lead or Lead Status = customer. 
• Group contacts based on their geographical region for a country-based webinar. You could use this list for marketing outreach purposes. 

This knowledge base article goes over the differences between static and active lists, along with some helpful examples: https://knowledge.hubspot.com/lists/create-active-or-static-lists#types-of-lists 

[karstenkoehler · Accepted solution]

Hi @MWanson,

Dynamic lists would be synonymous with active lists; they automatically update their members based on their criteria. Static lists only include records who meet the criteria at the exact time when their saved.

You can learn more about types of lists here.

Let me know if this answers your question!

[KAdams6]

Doesn't dynamic mean that the list only shows criteria for the person who is logged into Hubspot?  Meaning, I only see leads, deals, etc, that I am the owner on?

[MWanson]

Thank you. But, what would be the difference between an active list and a dynamic list? 

[karstenkoehler]

There isn't any difference, @MWanson. It's exactly the same thing. In HubSpot, you won't find anything named "dynamic list", it's another word for an active list.

[MWanson]

Thank you so much for clarifying.