Using External Merge Fields in OneMob

  • Updated

External Merge Fields allow you to pass recipient data (such as name, email, or company) from your email platform into OneMob. This enables personalized tracking, better analytics, and more accurate identification of who is engaging with your content.

This feature is especially useful when sending OneMob links through third-party platforms like Gmail, Outreach, Salesloft, or Mailchimp.

 

Overview

When you include merge fields in a OneMob link:

  • Recipient data is appended to the URL
  • OneMob captures and displays that data in activity tracking
  • You see real user details instead of anonymous IP-based activity

Without merge fields, activity may appear as unknown or unassigned.

 

How It Works

External merge fields are added as parameters to your OneMob URL.

Example Structure

https://yourlink.onemob.com/?first_name={{FirstName}}&last_name={{LastName}}&email={{Email}}

When the email is sent, your platform dynamically replaces the placeholders with actual recipient data.

 

Admin Setup (Required)

Before using merge fields, an admin must configure them in OneMob.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings in OneMob
  2. Navigate to External Merge Fields
  3. Define the fields you want to capture (e.g., first name, last name, email, company)
  4. Save your configuration

Once set up:

  • These fields are automatically available for all users
  • Data will populate whenever merge fields are included in a shared link

 

Supported Fields

Common fields include:

  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Email
  • Company

Field names must match what your external platform expects.

 

Platform-Specific Examples

Different email platforms use different merge field formats. Below are common examples:

Outreach

Outreach uses double curly braces with specific field names:

https://yourlink.onemob.com/?first_name={{first_name}}&last_name={{last_name}}&email={{email}}

Tip: Use Outreach’s built-in variables or plugin to ensure correct formatting.

 

Salesloft

Salesloft uses similar syntax but may vary depending on field configuration:

https://yourlink.onemob.com/?first_name={{contact.first_name}}&last_name={{contact.last_name}}&email={{contact.email}}

Tip: Confirm field names in your Salesloft personalization settings.

 

Mailchimp

Mailchimp uses pipe (*| |*) merge tags:

https://yourlink.onemob.com/?first_name=*|FNAME|*&last_name=*|LNAME|*&email=*|EMAIL|*

Tip: These tags must match your Mailchimp audience field settings.

 

Best Practices

  • Use platform-native merge fields
    Always pull merge tags directly from your email platform to avoid formatting errors
  • Test before sending
    Send a test email to confirm fields populate correctly
  • Keep field names consistent
    Ensure your OneMob field names align with your email platform fields
  • Use plugins when available
    Platforms like Outreach and Salesloft often provide plugins to simplify insertion

 

Troubleshooting

Merge fields not populating

  • Verify syntax matches your email platform
  • Ensure fields exist and are mapped correctly

Activity shows as anonymous

  • Confirm merge fields are included in the URL
  • Check that admin setup is complete in OneMob

Broken links

  • Ensure URL parameters are properly formatted (no missing symbols or spaces)

 

When to Use External Merge Fields

Use this feature when:

  • Sending OneMob links through third-party email tools
  • You want accurate recipient-level tracking
  • You need to personalize engagement data

 

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