Keep these limitations and best practices in mind to get accurate, predictable results from the List Builder.
Geocoding is required for location and boundary filters
- Only contacts with a geocoded address are included in Location Lookup, Select Areas on Map and Draw Area on Map filters.
- Contacts without a geocoded address are silently excluded — if someone is missing, check their address has been geocoded. See Geocoding requirements & checking geocode status (Document ID: 119).
- Contacts with multiple addresses may appear in multiple location-based lists, and can appear more than once where more than one address matches.
Exports reflect visible columns
- A CSV export includes only the columns currently visible in the Results table.
- Hidden columns are not exported. Use the Hide column (eye) icon above the table to set visibility before exporting. See Reviewing results and choosing columns for export (Document ID: 213).
- Build the exact view you need in Results first, then export.
Live vs fixed behaviour
- Live lists change over time as contact data changes — the membership and count are not fixed.
- Converting a live list turns it into a fixed list that does not update automatically. Converting cannot be undone and removes the list's conditions. It will not reflect later data changes, although people can still be added or removed by hand.
- For campaigns and audits, prefer a fixed list so the audience cannot drift. See Live lists vs fixed lists (and converting) (Document ID: 215).
Export timing
- Large exports run in the background.
- Retrieve the finished file via the bell notification when it is ready, rather than waiting on the page.
Best practice
- Preview before acting — always check the Results row count against your expected audience size before exporting or sending.
- Build broad, then narrow — start with the criterion that captures most of your intended audience, then add AND criteria to refine.
- Use Clone to base a new list on an existing one rather than rebuilding criteria.
- Snapshot before sending — use Save as fixed list to lock in recipients before a campaign while keeping the live list. Only use Convert if you no longer need the live list's conditions.
- Trim columns in Results so exports and reports contain only the fields you need.