Personalize text messages with dynamic links and variables

What is it?

This is the procedural workflow for inserting dynamic content into your SMS or email messages using the personalization tool within the message composer. This process supports proper macro formatting for delivery.

How do I use it?

Part 1: Inserting a Macro

1. Navigate to a campaign or a Send text message step in a journey.
2. In the message composer, place your cursor where you want the dynamic data to appear.
3. Click the Personalization button (icon) at the bottom of the composer.
4. In the Insert variable popup, click Variable.
5. Select a Category:
   • Click Subscriber for profile-based data (Names, attributes).
   • Click Product for event-based data (Price, name, links).
6. Click the specific link or variable you want to use.
7. (Optional but Recommended) Enter a Default value (e.g., "friend").

8. Click Insert.

Part 2: Previewing the Message

1. Above the message preview window, click Preview options.
2. Toggle on Preview as a subscriber.
3. Select a viewing mode from the dropdown:
   • A random subscriber
   • A specific subscriber
   • A subscriber in a segment

4. Click Submit to resolve the variables in the preview window.

   

5. Click Send test message to verify the output on a mobile device.

Why should I use it?

Using the click-by-click process reduces the likelihood of errors when inserting the double-bracket syntax and “pipe” logic. Using the Preview tool is the only way to validate that variables and shortlinks resolve into real data before the message is sent to your entire subscriber list.

Syntax Logic for Manual Editing

When a macro is added with a default value, it follows this syntax:

{{variableName | default:”default value”}}

If the data exists, the platform uses the variable; if not, it uses the text after the default: string.