How to Use Hubspot AI to Create Email Subject Lines and Preview Text
Hubspot includes built-in AI tools that help you quickly generate engaging subject lines and preview text for your marketing emails, so you can improve open rates with less manual writing.
This guide walks you through where to find the generators, how to use them effectively, and the settings you can adjust inside the email editor.
Where to Find the Hubspot AI Subject Line Generator
The AI features live directly inside the drag-and-drop marketing email editor. You can open the tool whenever you are editing an individual email.
To get started, make sure you already have:
- A marketing email created in your account
- Access to the drag-and-drop editor (classic editor is not supported)
- The correct account permissions to edit email content
Step-by-Step: Generate Subject Lines in Hubspot
Follow these steps in the email editor to create AI-powered subject ideas.
1. Open your email in the Hubspot editor
- In your Hubspot account, navigate to Marketing > Email.
- Locate the marketing email you want to work on in the listing table.
- Click the name of the email to open the editor.
The email will open in the drag-and-drop interface, where you can edit content, settings, and configurations.
2. Access the Hubspot subject line tools
- In the left panel, go to the Settings tab.
- Find the Subject line field, which controls what recipients see in their inbox.
- Click the AI icon or button next to the subject field to open the suggestions panel.
The AI sidebar (or pop-up, depending on your layout) will appear with several recommended subject lines based on your email content and previous subject history.
3. Review and select AI subject suggestions
The Hubspot AI generator will display a list of subject line options. For each suggestion, you can typically:
- Preview how the subject will appear to contacts
- Insert the subject line directly into the field
- Regenerate or ask for more variations if you do not see a match
Click the suggestion you like, and it will be applied to the main subject field for your email.
4. Customize the subject line after AI generation
After inserting an AI suggestion, you can manually edit the text to match your brand voice, add personalization tokens, or include offers and deadlines.
Popular edits include:
- Adding a first name token for personalization
- Inserting specific product names or campaign titles
- Adjusting tone from casual to formal (or vice versa)
How to Generate Preview Text Using Hubspot AI
Preview text (also called preheader text) appears next to or below the subject line in most inboxes. Hubspot lets you generate this text with the same AI engine used for subjects.
1. Open preview text settings in Hubspot
- With your email still open in the editor, stay on the Settings tab.
- Locate the Preview text field beneath the subject line.
- Click the AI button beside the preview text field to open the generator.
The system will scan your email content and propose short preview snippets designed to complement the subject line.
2. Choose an AI-generated preview text
When the panel opens, you will see several options the AI has created. For each option, you can:
- Insert it directly into the preview field
- Request new ideas or refresh the list
- Copy and tweak the text before saving
Once you select a preview text, it appears under the subject line field and will be used in your live send, depending on your recipients’ email clients.
3. Best practices for AI preview text in Hubspot
To get the most from generated preview text, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Use it to extend or clarify the main subject
- Avoid repeating the exact same words as the subject
- Highlight key benefits or a clear call to action
- Keep it concise so inboxes do not cut off important words
Editing and Testing AI Email Content in Hubspot
Once you have added AI-generated subject lines and preview text, you should test how they perform and verify they display correctly in different inboxes.
Editing after AI insertion
You can freely edit any AI-generated content in the subject or preview fields. All changes are saved as part of your draft email, just like manually written text.
Consider creating a few variations of your email and modifying the AI suggestions for different segments or A/B tests.
Testing your email before sending
Use the built-in testing features to confirm that subject lines and preview text look right:
- Send a test email to your own inboxes (Gmail, Outlook, mobile apps)
- Review how the subject and preview text display on desktop and mobile
- Adjust length or wording if important phrases are being cut off
Hubspot also supports A/B testing for subject lines in many subscription tiers. You can configure an experiment in the email settings to compare AI-generated ideas against your own copy.
Tips for Getting Better AI Output in Hubspot
Although the AI tools are designed to be automatic, a few inputs from you can significantly improve the quality of suggestions.
Provide clear email content first
Draft your main email body before generating subjects and preview text. The AI draws context from:
- Headers and sections within the email
- Offer descriptions and calls to action
- Product names, dates, and key benefits
The clearer your content, the more relevant the suggestions will be.
Regenerate when ideas miss the mark
If the first round of suggestions does not match your tone or campaign angle, generate a new set. Using the refresh option a few times can surface better variations aligned with your style.
Combine AI with your own subject line framework
Use your existing best practices and combine them with the AI output. For example, you can direct the AI suggestions toward:
- Curiosity-based subjects
- Urgency or scarcity angles (for time-limited offers)
- Value-focused wording that highlights benefits
Start from an AI suggestion and then refine it to fit your strategy and historical performance data.
Additional Resources for Hubspot Email Optimization
For a full breakdown of the subject line and preview text tools, you can review the official documentation at this Hubspot support article, which details all available options and interface elements.
If you are looking for broader marketing automation and CRM strategy support around email, lead nurturing, and sales funnels, you can also explore consulting resources such as Consultevo.
By combining AI-powered subject line and preview text creation in Hubspot with testing and optimization, you can build campaigns that consistently attract attention in crowded inboxes and drive more opens and clicks over time.
Need Help With Hubspot?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your Hubspot , work with ConsultEvo, a team who has a decade of Hubspot experience.
“`
