Skip to main content

​
Overview

Courier provides two approaches for targeting groups of users: static lists for manual curation and dynamic audiences for automated segmentation. Understanding when to use each method helps you build effective targeting strategies for your notifications.

​
Key Features

Courier’s group targeting provides flexible options for reaching the right users:
  • Static Lists - Manually curated collections with complete membership control
  • Dynamic Audiences - Automated segmentation based on real-time profile evaluation
  • Advanced Operators - Comprehensive filtering with equality, string, numeric, and date comparisons
  • Logical Combinations - Complex targeting using AND/OR logic
  • Real-Time Evaluation - Audience membership updates automatically as user data changes

​
Static Lists

Lists are manually managed collections of users that you control completely. They’re ideal for curated groups where you want precise control over membership.
List Management Interface

List Management Interface

​
API Usage

Target a list using the list_id parameter in your send request: 
{
  "to": {
    "list_id": "beta_testers"
  }
}

​
Dynamic Audiences

Audiences automatically include or exclude users based on rules and filters you define. Instead of manually managing membership, audiences evaluate user profile data in real-time to determine targeting.
Audience Builder Interface

Audience Builder Interface

​
API Usage

Target an audience using the audience_id parameter in your send request: 
{
  "to": {
    "audience_id": "active_premium_users"
  }
}

​
Audience Configuration

Audiences use operators to evaluate user profile data against specified conditions. When you send to an audience, Courier evaluates each user’s profile in real-time to determine if they match the audience criteria. Benefits of dynamic audiences:
  • Automatic updates - Membership changes as user data changes
  • Complex targeting - Combine multiple conditions with logical operators
  • Real-time evaluation - Users matched at send time for accuracy
  • Scalable segmentation - No manual list maintenance required

​
Available Operators

The table below summarizes the operators available to you when building an audience. We’ve included both the operator as shown in the UI, and also what the operator is when used in code as described in the API Reference.
CategoryOperatorCodeUse Cases
EqualityisEQMatch exact values (subscription tiers, roles, statuses)
is notNEQExclude specific values (not free tier, not inactive)
StringincludesINCLUDESEmail domains, name patterns, job titles
does not includeOMITExclude patterns or keywords
starts withSTARTS_WITHEmail prefixes, ID patterns
ends withENDS_WITHEmail domains (@company.com), file extensions
Numericis greater thanGTAge minimums, spending thresholds
is greater than or equal toGTEAccount limits, minimum values
is less thanLTAge maximums, company size limits
is less than or equal toLTEBudget caps, usage limits
Dateis greater thanAFTERRecent activity, future dates
is less thanBEFOREHistorical data, cutoff dates
ExistenceexistsEXISTSHas premium features, has phone number

​
Combining Conditions

Use logical operators to create complex audience rules:
  • AND: All conditions must be true (premium users in California)
  • OR: At least one condition must be true (admin or manager roles)

User Management

Individual user profiles and targeting

Audiences API

Create and manage audiences programmatically