Use Tags in GoHighLevel Workflows

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How to Use the Contact Tag Trigger in GoHighLevel Workflows

In this guide, you will learn step by step how to use the contact tag trigger inside GoHighLevel workflows. If you are migrating from tools like ClickUp or other automation platforms, this tutorial will help you understand exactly how tag-based automation works so you can build clean, reliable workflows.

The contact tag trigger is designed to start or update a workflow whenever a tag is added to or removed from a contact record. This is ideal for segmenting your audience, launching targeted follow-ups, and managing lifecycle stages.

What the GoHighLevel Contact Tag Trigger Does

The contact tag trigger in GoHighLevel listens for changes to tags on a contact. Whenever tags are modified, the trigger can fire and run the workflow according to the options you set.

With this trigger, you can:

  • Start a workflow when a specific tag is added to a contact.
  • Start a workflow when a specific tag is removed from a contact.
  • Run a workflow whenever any tag changes on a contact.
  • Filter exactly which tags should cause the workflow to run.

This makes it easy to automate sequences such as onboarding, re-engagement, VIP treatment, or internal notifications based on tag changes.

How to Add the GoHighLevel Contact Tag Trigger

Follow these steps to add the contact tag trigger to any workflow inside GoHighLevel:

  1. Open your sub-account and go to the Workflows section.

  2. Create a new workflow or open an existing workflow where you want to use tags.

  3. At the top of the workflow builder, click Add New Workflow Trigger.

  4. From the list of available triggers, select Contact Tag.

  5. Once selected, a settings panel for the contact tag trigger will appear on the right side of the screen.

After you add the trigger, you can configure it using the options described below.

GoHighLevel Contact Tag Trigger Settings Explained

The contact tag trigger in GoHighLevel includes several key options that control how and when the workflow fires. Understanding each option ensures your automations behave exactly as expected.

1. Select Tag Mode (Any or Specific)

This setting determines whether the workflow should fire for every tag change or only when certain tags are involved.

  • Any Tag Added Or Removed
    Use this when you want the workflow to trigger for any tag change on a contact. It does not matter which tag is added or removed; any change will activate the trigger.
  • Specific Tags Added Or Removed
    Use this when you only want the workflow to run for certain tags. You will specify which tags in the next setting. This is best for targeted workflows such as “Onboarding”, “Lead Magnet Downloaded”, or “High-Value Lead”.

2. Specify Tags (When Using Specific Tags Mode)

This field appears when you select Specific Tags Added Or Removed. Here you choose which tags the trigger will watch.

To configure this option:

  1. Click inside the tag field.

  2. Select one or more tags from the dropdown list, or start typing to search for an existing tag.

  3. Add all relevant tags that should be able to trigger this workflow.

Only the tags you select will cause the workflow to start or run when they are added to or removed from a contact.

3. Add or Remove Filter (Trigger Condition)

This setting tells GoHighLevel whether the workflow should run when tags are added, removed, or either.

  • Tag Added – The workflow is triggered only when the tag is added to the contact.
  • Tag Removed – The workflow is triggered only when the tag is removed from the contact.
  • Tag Added Or Removed – The workflow is triggered whenever the selected tags are either added or removed.

Choose the option that matches your automation goal. For example, an onboarding workflow usually starts when a tag is added, while a churn or downgrade workflow might start when a tag is removed.

Practical Uses for the GoHighLevel Contact Tag Trigger

Here are some common real-world ways to use the contact tag trigger inside GoHighLevel:

  • Lead Magnet Delivery
    Trigger a workflow when the tag Lead Magnet – Ebook is added, then send emails, SMS, or follow-up tasks.
  • Sales Pipeline Stage Changes
    Run a workflow when a tag such as Qualified Lead or Won Deal is applied or removed.
  • Customer Onboarding
    Start a step-by-step onboarding sequence when a tag like New Customer is added.
  • Re-engagement or Win-back
    When a tag like Inactive or Cancelled is added, trigger re-engagement emails or internal alerts.
  • Internal Notifications
    Notify your team in Slack, email, or SMS when a high-priority tag is added to a contact.

Best Practices for GoHighLevel Tag-Based Workflows

To keep tag-based workflows in GoHighLevel organized and predictable, follow these best practices:

  • Use a consistent naming convention for tags, such as prefixes for source, status, or product.
  • Avoid using the same tag as a trigger for multiple unrelated workflows to reduce conflicts.
  • Test your workflow with a sample contact before activating it for all contacts.
  • Document which tags are used as triggers so your team understands the automation logic.
  • Regularly audit tags and workflows to remove unused or redundant tags.

Step-by-Step Example: Building a Simple GoHighLevel Tag Trigger Workflow

Below is a simple example to help you visualize how the contact tag trigger works inside GoHighLevel.

  1. Create a workflow called New Lead Welcome.

  2. Add the Contact Tag trigger.

  3. Set the tag mode to Specific Tags Added Or Removed.

  4. Choose the tag New Lead in the tags field.

  5. Set the condition to Tag Added.

  6. Add actions such as sending a welcome email, assigning a pipeline stage, and notifying your sales team.

  7. Save and turn on the workflow.

Now, whenever the New Lead tag is added to any contact, this workflow will automatically run and execute your welcome sequence.

Where to Learn More About GoHighLevel Contact Tags

You can explore the official documentation for the contact tag workflow trigger directly on the GoHighLevel support site. For the full reference, visit the original help article here: GoHighLevel Contact Tag Trigger Documentation.

If you need expert consulting or implementation help with automation and CRM setups powered by GoHighLevel, you can find professional services and guides at Consultevo.

Summary

The contact tag trigger in GoHighLevel is a flexible way to start workflows based on tags being added to or removed from a contact. By choosing between any or specific tags and defining whether the trigger reacts to added, removed, or both actions, you can design precise automations for marketing, sales, and customer success. Configure the trigger carefully, follow naming conventions for tags, and always test with a sample contact to ensure your workflows behave exactly as intended.

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