Static List
A static list is a fixed group of contacts captured at a point in time that only changes when someone manually adds or removes records.
In depth
A static list stores an explicit set of contact IDs rather than a query, so its membership never shifts on its own. This determinism is its strength: the exact same people receive the campaign, and you can audit precisely who was contacted weeks later. Marketers reach for static lists when they need a frozen, repeatable audience, such as webinar registrants or a one-off product announcement.
The trade-off is maintenance. Because the list does not respond to behavior, it can quickly become stale, including contacts who unsubscribed or no longer fit. In a quiz-funnel workflow, a static list is useful for snapshotting everyone who completed a specific scorecard during a launch week, giving sales a stable cohort to nurture even as new quiz responses keep arriving.
Example in practice
Frequently asked questions
When should I use a static list instead of a smart list?
Choose a static list when you need a frozen, auditable audience, such as event registrants or a one-time send. If the audience should keep updating based on behavior, a smart list is the better fit.
Do contacts ever leave a static list on their own?
No. Membership only changes through manual edits, imports, or workflow actions you explicitly configure. That is exactly why static lists can drift out of date if not maintained.
Can I convert a smart list into a static list?
Most CRMs let you take a snapshot of a smart list's current members and save it as a static list. This is handy when you want to lock in an audience at a specific moment, such as the end of a campaign.