How to Use the Contact Created Trigger in GoHighLevel Workflows

The Contact Created workflow trigger in GoHighLevel lets you automate actions the moment a new contact is added, similar to how ClickUp automations fire on task creation. This guide walks you step-by-step through configuring the trigger so your workflows run consistently and only for the right contacts.

What the GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger Does

The Contact Created trigger in GoHighLevel starts a workflow automatically whenever a new contact record is created in your account. This is ideal for:

• Sending welcome emails or SMS messages to new leads
• Adding tags or updating custom fields when a contact is created
• Starting onboarding or nurture sequences
• Assigning contacts to specific pipelines or opportunities

This trigger ensures every new contact can be processed without manual work, as long as the trigger conditions are configured correctly.

Where to Find the GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger

To locate and add the Contact Created trigger inside a GoHighLevel workflow:

1. Open your GoHighLevel account.
2. Navigate to Automation > Workflows.
3. Create a new workflow or open an existing one.
4. At the top of the workflow, click Add New Trigger.
5. From the trigger list, select Contact Created.

Once selected, you will see configuration options that determine exactly when the workflow should fire for a newly created contact.

GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger Options Explained

When you add the Contact Created trigger in GoHighLevel, you can refine it using these main settings and filters:

1. Workflow Trigger Filters

Workflow filters let you decide which contacts should enter the workflow when they are created. Common filter options include:

• Contact details (e.g., email, phone, tags)
• Source (e.g., form, funnel, calendar, API, import)
• Location or specific sub-account criteria

By using filters, you ensure that only contacts that match your rules are enrolled when they are created.

2. Filter Type Logic

You can set how multiple filters work together:

• AND logic — the contact must match all filter conditions.
• OR logic — the contact must match at least one filter condition.

This flexibility helps you build precise automation flows in GoHighLevel without creating unnecessary duplicate workflows.

3. Trigger On: Contact Creation

The Contact Created trigger activates the workflow only once, at the moment a new contact is created. It does not fire when an existing contact is updated. For update-based automations, you would use a different trigger such as Contact Changed or similar options in GoHighLevel.

How to Configure the GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger Step-by-Step

Use this process to set up a simple automation using the Contact Created trigger.

Step 1: Add the Trigger

1. Open your chosen workflow in GoHighLevel.
2. Click Add New Trigger.
3. Select Contact Created from the trigger list.

Step 2: Define Filter Conditions

Next, determine which new contacts should enter this workflow:

1. In the trigger settings, click Add Filter.
2. Choose a property such as Tag, Source, or Custom Field.
3. Set the filter condition (for example, Tag contains “New Lead”).
4. Add additional filters as needed and set the logic to AND or OR.

This ensures only specific new contacts activate this GoHighLevel workflow.

Step 3: Add Workflow Actions

Once the trigger is configured, define what should happen after it fires:

1. Click the + button under the trigger in the workflow canvas.
2. Select actions such as:

• Send Email — deliver a welcome email automatically.
• Send SMS — send a text confirmation or introduction.
• Add Tag — categorize new contacts for later segmentation.
• Create Opportunity — add the contact to your sales pipeline.

Chain multiple actions together to build a complete onboarding or nurture flow inside GoHighLevel.

Step 4: Save and Test

Before using the workflow in production:

1. Click Save to keep your changes.
2. Turn the workflow ON.
3. Create a test contact that matches your filter conditions.
4. Verify that the workflow is triggered and that all actions run as expected.

Testing helps confirm that the Contact Created trigger behaves exactly how you intend.

Best Practices for the GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger

Follow these tips to keep your automations clean and predictable.

Use Specific Filters to Avoid Over-Triggering

Instead of triggering for every new contact, narrow your audience. For example:

• Filter by Tag to trigger only for “New Lead” or “Trial” contacts.
• Filter by Source to trigger only when contacts come from a specific form, funnel, or calendar.
• Filter by Location to avoid mixing leads from different sub-accounts.

This keeps your GoHighLevel workflows organized and prevents duplicated communications.

Separate Workflows by Objective

Use multiple workflows instead of adding every action to a single Contact Created automation. For example:

• One workflow for general welcome messaging.
• Another workflow for pipeline or CRM management.
• A third workflow for internal notifications to your team.

This modular setup makes GoHighLevel easier to manage as your automations grow.

Document Your Trigger Logic

Keep notes in your workflow descriptions explaining which contacts should be enrolled and why certain filters are used. This is especially helpful when multiple team members manage GoHighLevel automations or when you return to a workflow later to make changes.

Troubleshooting the GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger

If your workflow is not firing as expected when new contacts are created, review these points:

• Check filter conditions — make sure the test contact actually meets all required filters.
• Confirm workflow status — the workflow must be turned ON.
• Verify contact creation method — ensure the way the contact is added is supported by the trigger and matches any source filters.
• Look at workflow history — review the activity log to see if the contact attempted to enter but was blocked.

If issues persist, compare your setup with the official documentation to confirm all settings are aligned.

Official GoHighLevel Documentation and Further Help

You can review the original documentation for the Contact Created workflow trigger on the official help site here: GoHighLevel Contact Created Trigger Guide.

For strategic help designing end-to-end automation, funnel, or CRM systems around GoHighLevel, you can also explore consulting resources at Consultevo.

By configuring the Contact Created trigger carefully and following these best practices, you can build reliable, scalable automations in GoHighLevel that respond instantly whenever a new contact enters your system.

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