Dynamic Images

  • Updated

Use Dynamic Images to personalize your email designs by displaying different images for different contacts. This feature allows you to show targeted offers, personalized graphics, or custom content based on a contact’s profile data, list membership, or segment attributes.

When used correctly, each recipient sees a unique image pulled from their record - perfect for customized promotions, product recommendations, or localized content.

Quick Reference (Advanced Users) - Click to Expand
  • Works only in the Email Composer.
  • Your list or segment must contain an image URL field (e.g., imageurl).
  • Choose Add dynamic image from the image selector.
  • Select the list or segment → choose the image URL field → define a fallback image.
  • Preview per recipient in Preview Mode using personalization preview.
Try it like this: Add a dynamic image block to your promotional email and map it to a field such as imageurl. Each recipient will see a personalized product graphic based on their saved preferences or previous activity.

Requirements

You’ll need:

  • A Marketing List, Segment, or Extended List containing a field with image URLs.
  • An email design built in the Email Composer.

How to Add a Dynamic Image

  1. Select or create an Act-On Contacts Segment or Marketing List containing an image URL field (e.g., imageurl).

    To add this field to an existing list, create an Extended List and include an image URL column.
    See Manage Extended Lists.
  2. Open the email design in the Email Composer.
  3. In the Design tab, add an Image block from the Content tab.
  4. Click Browse.

Dynamic Images 01.png

  1. In the Select image dialog, open the dropdown (top right) and choose Add dynamic image.

Dynamic Images 02.png

  1. In Dynamic image location, click Select and choose the list or segment from Step 1.

    Extended Lists appear nested under their parent Marketing List.

Dynamic Images 05.png

  1. Click Next, then select the field column containing the image URL (e.g., imageurl).

    Dynamic Images 07.png

    If you're using an Extended List, the field name shows a prefix (e.g., join.imageurl):

    Dynamic Images 06.png

  2. Click Submit.

  3. Choose a Fallback image for contacts who do not have an image URL.

    The fallback image appears in the email design view.
  4. Click Insert to add the dynamic image to your email.

The image displayed at send time will vary depending on the recipient’s data.

Preview Dynamic Images

Use Preview Mode to confirm how the dynamic image appears for different contacts.

  1. Ensure your selected recipients match the list or segment used for the dynamic image:
    • Go to Send Details → Recipients → Select contacts.
    • Choose the same list, segment, or Extended List from Step 8.
  2. Click Preview in the top-right of the Email Composer.
  3. In the Details tab, toggle on Preview personalization.
  4. Use the arrows to browse through recipients and confirm the correct image displays for each one.

Dynamic Images 04.png

You can also check personalization errors before sending.
If the image URL is invalid, the recipient will see a broken image icon. If the field is blank, the fallback image will appear instead.

Was this article helpful?

Have more questions? Submit a request