This article covers how to prepare a contact list before importing it into Keap™, including which contacts to remove, how to evaluate engagement levels, and the recommended approach for each segment. Importing a clean, permission-based list protects sender reputation and improves email deliverability.
Important: Keap does not allow the import of purchased, borrowed, or shared contact lists. Only import contacts who have explicitly given permission to receive communications.
Step 1 — Remove Unusable Contacts
Before importing, exclude any contacts who have previously:
Opted out — contacts who unsubscribed from previous communications.
Hard bounced — email addresses that were permanently undeliverable.
Marked as spam — contacts who reported previous emails as spam.
Non-marketable status — contacts flagged as non-marketable in the previous system.
Removing these contacts protects sender reputation and improves deliverability for the remaining list.
Step 2 — Review and Assess Engagement
After removing unusable contacts, evaluate the remaining list based on engagement level. Engagement includes opening an email, selecting a link, or submitting a form. Use the guidance below to determine how to handle each segment.
Engaged Contacts — Last 30 to 60 Days
Contacts who have engaged within the last 60 days are considered active and can be imported and emailed immediately.
Recommended actions:
Import these contacts into Keap.
Begin sending to them immediately.
Optionally, send a double opt-in confirmation sequence to reaffirm their interest.
Unengaged Contacts — 60 to 180 Days
Contacts with no engagement in the past 60 to 180 days require additional cleanup before importing.
Recommended actions:
Run the list through a list-cleaning service.
Import only contacts flagged as deliverable by the service.
Send a double opt-in confirmation sequence to verify permission.
Opt out any contacts who do not confirm.
This process ensures only contacts who still want to receive communications are included in the active list.
Cold Contacts — 181 or More Days With No Engagement
Contacts with more than 181 days of inactivity should not be imported into Keap. Importing cold contacts significantly increases deliverability risk.
Recommended actions:
Retarget cold contacts through ad platforms such as Facebook or other social media channels.
Direct them to a new opt-in page to obtain explicit permission before adding them to Keap.
Summary
Following these steps before importing helps to:
Maintain a clean and healthy contact list
Improve email deliverability
Maximize engagement and marketing results
Protect long-term sender reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this article cover?
This article covers how to prepare a contact list for import into Keap, including removing unusable contacts and handling engaged, unengaged, and cold contact segments.
Can purchased or shared contact lists be imported into Keap?
No. Keap does not allow the import of purchased, borrowed, or shared contact lists. Only contacts who have explicitly given permission to receive communications can be imported.
What is a list-cleaning service and why is it recommended?
A list-cleaning service validates email addresses to identify which are deliverable, invalid, or risky before importing. Using one before importing unengaged contacts reduces the risk of hard bounces and protects sender reputation.
What should be done with cold contacts who cannot be imported?
Cold contacts with more than 181 days of inactivity should not be imported directly. Retarget them through ad platforms or direct them to a new opt-in page to obtain fresh permission before adding them to Keap.
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