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Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)

Learn how to use the Contact Date of Birth field to automate birthday reminders, personalize customer outreach, and build age-based Smart Lists in GHL Customer Care.

4 min read843 words6 explained imagesUpdated Mon, 15 Jun at 9:58 AM
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On this page
  1. What is the Birthday Field?
  2. Key Benefits of the Contact Date of Birth Field
  3. How to Build Birthday Reminder Campaigns
  4. Step 1: Configure the Birthday Trigger
  5. Step 2: Define Actions
  6. Example Workflow Structure
  7. How to Filter Contacts by Birth Date in Smart Lists
  8. Steps to Filter by Birth Date
  9. How to Filter Contacts by Age in Smart Lists
  10. Steps to Filter by Age
  11. Best Practices
  12. Common Issues and Troubleshooting
  13. Frequently Asked Questions
  14. Related Articles

The Birthday field in contacts allows you to personalize communications, build automation campaigns based on contact birthdays, and filter contacts by age within Smart Lists. This article explains how to utilize the Birthday field effectively.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is the Birthday Field?

The Contact Date of Birth field stores a contact's birthday within their contact record. Once populated, it can be used in workflows, Smart Lists, and other contact management processes to personalize communication and organize contacts based on age-related criteria.

It can be populated through:

  • Manual entry

  • Form submissions

  • CSV Imports

  • API integrations

This field enables automation triggers based on birthdays and helps segment contacts by age.

What is the Birthday Field? (image 1 of 6) What this shows This field enables automation triggers based on birthdays and helps segment contacts by age. What this shows Illustrates the "What is the Birthday Field?" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". This screenshot appears in the "What is the Birthday Field?" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". The text alongside this image reads: This field enables automation triggers based on birthdays and helps segment contacts by age. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Personalized Engagement: Send birthday messages and special offers automatically. Workflow Automation: Trigger birthday-based reminders and campaigns. Audience Segmentation: Create Smart Lists using age-based filters. Improved Customer…. Image 1 of 6 What this coversThis field enables automation triggers based on birthdays and helps segment contacts by age.
Fields in this part of the guide Manual entryForm submissionsCSV ImportsAPI integrations
Next stepPersonalized Engagement: Send birthday messages and special offers automatically. Workflow Automation: Trigger birthday-based reminders and campaigns. Audience Segmentation: Create Smart Lists using age-based filters. Improved Customer Experience: Deliver timely and relevant communications.
All 4 steps in this procedure
  1. Manual entry
  2. Form submissions
  3. CSV Imports
  4. API integrations

Key Benefits of the Contact Date of Birth Field

  • Personalized Engagement: Send birthday messages and special offers automatically.
  • Workflow Automation: Trigger birthday-based reminders and campaigns.
  • Audience Segmentation: Create Smart Lists using age-based filters.
  • Improved Customer Experience: Deliver timely and relevant communications.

How to Build Birthday Reminder Campaigns

You can automate birthday reminders or offers by setting up birthday workflows.

Step 1: Configure the Birthday Trigger

  1. Navigate to Workflows > Create New Workflow.

  2. Set the Trigger to Birthday Reminder.

  3. Choose the trigger condition:

    • After no. of days

    • Before no. of days

    • Day is

    • Month is

Step 1: Configure the Birthday Trigger (image 2 of 6) What this shows Navigate to Workflows > Create New Workflow. What this shows Illustrates the "Step 1: Configure the Birthday Trigger" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". This animation appears in the "Step 1: Configure the Birthday Trigger" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". The text alongside this image reads: Navigate to Workflows > Create New Workflow. Set the Trigger to Birthday Reminder. Choose the trigger condition. The navigation path used here is Workflows > Create New Workflow. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Send Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers. Send SMS: Short birthday wishes or coupon codes. Assign Task: Alert internal teams to follow up manually if needed. Path: Workflows > Create New WorkflowImage 2 of 6 Where to goNavigate to Workflows > Create New Workflow. Set the Trigger to Birthday Reminder. Choose the trigger condition:
Fields in this part of the guide After no. of daysBefore no. of daysDay isMonth is
Buttons and menus referenced WorkflowsCreate New WorkflowTriggerBirthday Reminder
Next stepSend Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers. Send SMS: Short birthday wishes or coupon codes. Assign Task: Alert internal teams to follow up manually if needed.
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Navigate to Workflows > Create New Workflow.
  2. Set the Trigger to Birthday Reminder.
  3. Choose the trigger condition:

Step 2: Define Actions

  • Send Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers.

  • Send SMS: Short birthday wishes or coupon codes.

  • Assign Task: Alert internal teams to follow up manually if needed.

Step 2: Define Actions (image 3 of 6) What this shows Send Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers. What this shows Illustrates the "Step 2: Define Actions" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". This animation appears in the "Step 2: Define Actions" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". The text alongside this image reads: Send Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers. Send SMS: Short birthday wishes or coupon codes. Assign Task: Alert internal teams to follow up manually if needed. Immediately after, the guide continues: Step Action 1 Trigger on Birthday 2 Send Birthday SMS 3 Send Birthday Email 4 (Optional) Notify the internal team. Image 3 of 6 What this coversSend Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers. Send SMS: Short birthday wishes or coupon codes. Assign Task: Alert internal teams to follow up manually if needed.
Buttons and menus referenced Send EmailSend SMSAssign Task
Next stepStep Action 1 Trigger on Birthday 2 Send Birthday SMS 3 Send Birthday Email 4 (Optional) Notify the internal team
All 3 steps in this procedure
  1. Send Email: Personalized birthday greetings or offers.
  2. Send SMS: Short birthday wishes or coupon codes.
  3. Assign Task: Alert internal teams to follow up manually if needed.

Example Workflow Structure

StepAction
1Trigger on Birthday
2Send Birthday SMS
3Send Birthday Email
4(Optional) Notify the internal team

How to Filter Contacts by Birth Date in Smart Lists

Using the Birthday field, you can segment your contacts based on their date of birth for targeted communication.

Steps to Filter by Birth Date

  1. Go to Contacts > Smart Lists.

  2. Click on Advanced Filters.

  3. Select Date of birth filter under contact information.

  4. Select the appropriate filter condition:

    • Today

    • Tomorrow

    • Yesterday

    • This week

    • This month

    • This quarter

    • In month

    • This year

    • On

    • Between

    • More than

    • After date

    • Less than

    • Before date

    • In the next

    • In the last.

Steps to Filter by Birth Date (image 4 of 6) What this shows Go to Contacts > Smart Lists. What this shows Illustrates the "Steps to Filter by Birth Date" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". This animation appears in the "Steps to Filter by Birth Date" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". The text alongside this image reads: Go to Contacts > Smart Lists. Click on Advanced Filters. Select Date of birth filter under contact information. Select the appropriate filter condition. The navigation path used here is Contacts > Smart Lists. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Using the Age field, you can segment your contacts based on their age for targeted communication. Path: Contacts > Smart ListsImage 4 of 6 Where to goGo to Contacts > Smart Lists. Click on Advanced Filters. Select Date of birth filter under contact information. Select the appropriate filter condition:
Fields in this part of the guide TodayTomorrowYesterdayThis weekThis monthThis quarterIn monthThis yearOnBetweenMore thanAfter date
Buttons and menus referenced ContactsSmart ListsAdvanced FiltersDate of birth
Next stepUsing the Age field, you can segment your contacts based on their age for targeted communication.
All 4 steps in this procedure
  1. Go to Contacts > Smart Lists.
  2. Click on Advanced Filters.
  3. Select Date of birth filter under contact information.
  4. Select the appropriate filter condition:

How to Filter Contacts by Age in Smart Lists

Using the Age field, you can segment your contacts based on their age for targeted communication.

Steps to Filter by Age

  1. Go to Contacts > Smart Lists.

  2. Click on Advanced Filters.

    Step 2 of 5: Click on Advanced Filters What this shows Step 2 of 5: Click on Advanced Filters. What this shows Shows what to click for step 2 of 5 in the "Steps to Filter by Age" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 5 in the "Steps to Filter by Age" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". At this point in the walkthrough you click on Advanced Filters. For context, this section explains: Go to Contacts > Smart Lists. Click on Advanced Filters. Select Age filter under contact information. Select the appropriate filter condition: Click Save. The navigation path used here is Contacts > Smart Lists. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. The next step is to select Age filter under contact information. Step 2 of 5Path: Contacts > Smart ListsImage 5 of 6 What to clickClick on Advanced Filters.
    Fields in this part of the guide Equals toBetweenMore thanLess than
    Buttons and menus referenced Advanced FiltersContactsSmart ListsAgeSave
    Next stepSelect Age filter under contact information.
    All 5 steps in this procedure
    1. Go to Contacts > Smart Lists.
    2. Click on Advanced Filters. this image
    3. Select Age filter under contact information.
    4. Select the appropriate filter condition:
    5. Click Save.

  3. Select Age filter under contact information.

  4. Select the appropriate filter condition:

    • Equals to

    • Between

    • More than

    • Less than

  5. Click Save.

The system calculates age dynamically based on the current date and the stored birthday.

Steps to Filter by Age (image 6 of 6) What this shows The system calculates age dynamically based on the current date and the stored birthday. What this shows Illustrates the "Steps to Filter by Age" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". This animation appears in the "Steps to Filter by Age" section of "Contacts - Date Of Birth (Birthday)". The text alongside this image reads: The system calculates age dynamically based on the current date and the stored birthday. The navigation path used here is Contacts > Smart Lists. This part of the guide covers 4 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Capture Birthdays Early: Include a Birthday field in lead capture forms to gather the information upfront. Validate Date Formats: Use MM/DD/YYYY format to ensure automation triggers work correctly. Test Automation: Always test birthday…. Path: Contacts > Smart ListsImage 6 of 6 What this coversThe system calculates age dynamically based on the current date and the stored birthday.
Fields in this part of the guide Equals toBetweenMore thanLess than
Buttons and menus referenced ContactsSmart ListsAdvanced FiltersAgeSave
Next stepCapture Birthdays Early: Include a Birthday field in lead capture forms to gather the information upfront. Validate Date Formats: Use MM/DD/YYYY format to ensure automation triggers work correctly. Test Automation: Always test birthday workflows with sample contacts before making them live. Consider Time Zones: Be aware that workflows may use contact-specific time zones if configured.
All 5 steps in this procedure
  1. Go to Contacts > Smart Lists.
  2. Click on Advanced Filters.
  3. Select Age filter under contact information.
  4. Select the appropriate filter condition:
  5. Click Save.

Best Practices

  • Capture Birthdays Early: Include a Birthday field in lead capture forms to gather the information upfront.

  • Validate Date Formats: Use MM/DD/YYYY format to ensure automation triggers work correctly.

  • Test Automation: Always test birthday workflows with sample contacts before making them live.

  • Consider Time Zones: Be aware that workflows may use contact-specific time zones if configured.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

IssueSolution
Birthday automation is not triggeringEnsure the Birthday field is populated with a complete and correctly formatted date.
Incorrect age calculationConfirm that the birth year is correctly entered. Missing or incorrect years can cause errors.
SMS or email was not sent on the birthdayDouble-check workflow timing, trigger configuration, and contact timezone settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the Contact Date of Birth field to send automated birthday messages?

Yes. The Contact Date of Birth field can be used in workflows to trigger birthday-related automations, such as sending emails, SMS messages, notifications, or applying tags.

Q: Do contacts need a Date of Birth value for birthday workflows to work?

Yes. Birthday-based workflows require a valid Date of Birth value in the contact record. If the field is empty or invalid, the workflow will not trigger as expected.

Q: Can I create Smart Lists based on a contact's age?

Yes. You can use the Contact Date of Birth field in Smart List filters to create age-based audience segments.

Q: Why isn't my birthday workflow triggering?

Check that the contact has a valid Date of Birth value, verify that the workflow trigger is configured correctly, and ensure the workflow is active and published.

Q: Why are my age-based Smart List results incorrect?

Review the Date of Birth values for affected contacts, confirm that your Smart List filters are configured correctly, and check for formatting issues in imported data.

Q: What should I do when importing contacts with birthdays?

Use a consistent date format and verify that Date of Birth values are imported correctly. Accurate data helps ensure workflows and Smart List filters function as expected.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Birthday Field?
The Contact Date of Birth field stores a contact's birthday within their contact record. Once populated, it can be used in workflows, Smart Lists, and other contact management processes to personalize communication and organize contacts based on age-related criteria. It can be populated through: Manual entry Form submissions CSV Imports API integrations This field enables automation triggers based on birthdays and helps segment contacts by age.

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