GoHighLevel Workflow Trigger Guide

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GoHighLevel Workflow Trigger Exact Match & Contains Phrase

In this guide, you will learn how to configure workflow triggers in GoHighLevel using Exact Match and Contains Phrase conditions. Even if you use other tools like ClickUp for task management, understanding these trigger options in GoHighLevel is essential for accurate, automated actions based on specific values in your records.

The instructions below are based on the official help documentation and walk you through the logic, configuration steps, and best practices for using these powerful conditions inside your workflows.

What Are GoHighLevel Workflow Triggers?

Workflow triggers in GoHighLevel are rules that start an automation when certain conditions are met. These conditions check values stored in fields, such as:

  • Custom fields
  • Contact attributes
  • Form submissions
  • Other event-based data

Two of the most important comparison methods are Exact Match and Contains Phrase, which control how strictly the system matches your trigger value.

Understanding Exact Match in GoHighLevel

Exact Match evaluates whether a field in GoHighLevel contains a value that is exactly the same as the value you define in the trigger.

How Exact Match Works in GoHighLevel

When you configure a trigger condition with Exact Match:

  • The field value must match your input completely.
  • There can be no extra characters, words, or spaces.
  • Capitalization is treated as identical or different based on how the system stores and compares the value

For example, if you create a trigger condition on a custom field called Source using Exact Match with the value Facebook:

  • A contact with Source = Facebook will satisfy the condition.
  • A contact with Source = Facebook Ads will not satisfy the condition.
  • A contact with Source = facebook may fail the match if case sensitivity applies.

When to Use Exact Match in GoHighLevel

Use the Exact Match option in GoHighLevel when:

  • You need precise targeting of a specific value.
  • You use standardized options (for example, dropdown values) that never change format.
  • You want to avoid triggering workflows for partial matches or related terms.

This is especially useful for fields like:

  • Lead source
  • Status or stage
  • Product or plan codes
  • Yes/No fields

Understanding Contains Phrase in GoHighLevel

Contains Phrase checks whether a field value in GoHighLevel includes the phrase you provide, anywhere within the text, even if there are other words or characters before or after it.

How Contains Phrase Works in GoHighLevel

When you configure a trigger condition with Contains Phrase:

  • The system looks for your phrase inside the full value.
  • The phrase can appear at the beginning, middle, or end.
  • Other words or characters can still be present in the field.

For example, if you configure a custom field called Notes with Contains Phrase set to VIP:

  • VIP customer interested in upgrade will satisfy the condition.
  • Customer is VIP and ready to buy will also satisfy the condition.
  • Very important person will not satisfy the condition because the exact phrase VIP does not appear.

When to Use Contains Phrase in GoHighLevel

Use the Contains Phrase option in GoHighLevel when:

  • The field can contain long or variable text.
  • You want to trigger automations based on keywords or tags inside notes or descriptions.
  • You do not control the full wording stored in the field.

This is common for fields such as:

  • Internal notes
  • Survey responses
  • Free-text form fields
  • Imported comments or tags

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Exact Match in GoHighLevel

Follow these steps to configure an Exact Match condition in a workflow trigger in GoHighLevel:

  1. Open the workflows area
    • Navigate to your GoHighLevel account dashboard.
    • Go to Automation and select Workflows.
  2. Create or edit a workflow
    • Click + New Workflow or choose an existing workflow to edit.
  3. Add a trigger
    • Click Add New Trigger.
    • Choose the trigger type that supports field-based conditions, such as a form submission or contact update.
  4. Define the field condition
    • Select the field you want to evaluate (for example, a specific custom field).
    • Choose the condition operator Exact Match.
    • Enter the exact value the field must contain.
  5. Save and test
    • Save your trigger configuration.
    • Test with a record that has the precise value to confirm the workflow starts as expected.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Contains Phrase in GoHighLevel

The process for Contains Phrase is similar, but you select a different comparison operator inside GoHighLevel.

  1. Open the target workflow
    • From the GoHighLevel dashboard, go to Automation > Workflows and select your workflow.
  2. Configure or add the trigger
    • Click on the trigger you want to modify, or add a new trigger.
  3. Select the field to scan
    • Choose a text-based field, such as notes, comments, or a long-text custom field.
  4. Choose Contains Phrase
    • Set the condition operator to Contains Phrase.
    • Enter the phrase you want GoHighLevel to look for inside that field.
  5. Save and validate
    • Save your workflow.
    • Test with records that include and exclude the phrase to verify correct behavior.

Exact Match vs Contains Phrase in GoHighLevel

Both options are valuable in GoHighLevel, but their behavior is very different.

Key Differences

  • Exact Match: Requires the full field value to match your input exactly.
  • Contains Phrase: Accepts any value that includes your phrase anywhere within the field.
  • Use Exact Match when values are standardized and controlled.
  • Use Contains Phrase when values are variable and may contain multiple words or notes.

Practical Examples in GoHighLevel

  • Tag-based automation: If you store a single tag in a custom field, Exact Match ensures that only that tag value triggers the workflow.
  • Keyword-based automation: If you collect open-ended feedback in a notes field, Contains Phrase lets you trigger based on keywords like “refund”, “upgrade”, or “VIP”.

Best Practices for Using Triggers in GoHighLevel

To get reliable automation results in GoHighLevel, follow these best practices when working with Exact Match and Contains Phrase:

  • Standardize field values: For Exact Match, make sure values are created through dropdowns or predefined options instead of free text.
  • Use clear phrases: For Contains Phrase, choose distinctive words or short phrases that are unlikely to appear accidentally.
  • Avoid overlapping conditions: Do not set multiple triggers that could fire for the same field value unless this is intentional.
  • Test edge cases: Create test records that almost match (for example, extra spaces or similar words) to confirm whether the trigger behaves as expected.

Additional Resources for GoHighLevel Users

You can review the original support documentation on the official help portal here: Workflow Trigger Exact Match Contains Phrase.

If you need broader strategy help integrating GoHighLevel into your marketing and automation stack, including SEO and funnel optimization, you can explore consulting services at Consultevo.

By understanding the difference between Exact Match and Contains Phrase, and by configuring your workflow triggers carefully, you can ensure that automations inside GoHighLevel run only when they should, based on accurate field values and phrases.

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