How to Use Hubspot Workflow Action Recommendations Effectively
Hubspot provides powerful workflow action recommendations that scan your existing automations and suggest improvements so you can optimize performance, maintain clean data, and avoid errors across your CRM.
This how-to guide walks you through where to find recommendations, how to interpret them, and the exact steps to fix issues directly from your workflow editor.
What Are Hubspot Workflow Action Recommendations?
Workflow action recommendations in Hubspot are automated suggestions generated by the system after it reviews the actions and settings inside your workflows.
These recommendations help you:
- Identify broken or incomplete workflow actions
- Resolve configuration issues that block enrollment or successful execution
- Improve email and task performance inside automation
- Keep your data and processes aligned with best practices
Recommendations appear contextually in the editor so you can quickly see what needs attention without leaving the workflow screen.
Where Hubspot Shows Workflow Recommendations
In the workflow editor, Hubspot highlights affected actions and gives you more detail about what must be updated. Recommendations generally appear in two places:
- On the workflow canvas, next to actions that have issues or optimization suggestions
- In side panels or pop-ups when you click into specific actions that require updates
These prompts are non-destructive: they do not change your configuration automatically. Instead, they guide you through the corrections you need to make.
Common Types of Hubspot Workflow Action Recommendations
While the exact recommendations may evolve over time, some common categories you may encounter include:
Missing or Invalid Email Settings
If an automated email action is misconfigured, Hubspot may recommend updates such as:
- Selecting a required subscription type
- Setting a valid from address or from name
- Fixing missing or deleted email templates
These recommendations ensure that emails can be sent successfully and comply with your subscription preferences.
Issues With Enrollment or Re-enrollment
Sometimes, workflows have unclear or conflicting enrollment logic. Hubspot can flag actions that will never run because no records qualify, or because re-enrollment is blocked when it should be allowed.
Typical enrollment-related recommendations include:
- Reviewing delayed actions that will never be reached
- Adjusting triggers so contacts or companies can re-enter when needed
- Cleaning up old conditions that no longer match your current data model
Data and Property Update Problems
When workflows use actions that set or copy property values, Hubspot may detect issues such as:
- Writing to properties that were deleted or renamed
- Using outdated property options that no longer exist
- Creating conflicting loops of property updates
These recommendations help preserve data quality and consistency across your CRM.
How to Review Recommendations in a Hubspot Workflow
Use the steps below to systematically review and address suggestions in a single workflow.
Step 1: Open Your Workflow in Hubspot
- In your Hubspot account, go to Automation > Workflows.
- Find the workflow you want to optimize.
- Click the workflow name to open the editor view.
Once the workflow loads, look for visual indicators like warning icons or panels that highlight recommended changes.
Step 2: Locate Actions With Recommendations
On the workflow canvas, scan for actions that display:
- A warning or alert symbol
- Colored outlines or icons indicating an issue
- Inline messages that reference a recommendation
Click the affected action to open its details and see the full text of the recommendation.
Step 3: Read the Hubspot Recommendation Details
After you select the action, review the recommendation message carefully. It usually explains:
- What is wrong or could be improved
- Which setting or field needs to be updated
- Why the change is important for performance or reliability
Keep the context of your automation strategy in mind before making any modifications so you preserve your intended logic.
Step 4: Apply the Suggested Fix
Follow the guidance in the recommendation to fix the action configuration. Examples include:
- Choosing a new email template if the original was deleted
- Updating the target property in a set property value action
- Editing delay times or enrollment triggers so actions can actually execute
Most recommendations can be addressed directly within the action editor without leaving the workflow page.
Step 5: Review and Test the Updated Workflow
Once you have applied one or more fixes, review the entire workflow to ensure:
- The logic still matches your automation goals
- There are no remaining alert icons or recommendation notices
- Key branches and delays function as expected
Use the workflow test tools to simulate enrollment where available, so you can verify the behavior before turning the workflow on or returning it to regular use.
Best Practices for Using Hubspot Recommendations
To get ongoing value from workflow action recommendations, incorporate the following best practices into your automation maintenance routine.
Schedule Regular Workflow Audits
Set a quarterly or monthly reminder to open your most important workflows in Hubspot and check for new recommendations. This is especially important if you:
- Frequently change email templates
- Update subscription types or property structures
- Modify lifecycle stages or sales processes
Prioritize High-Impact Workflows
Begin with workflows that drive revenue or customer experience, such as:
- Lead nurturing series
- Onboarding sequences
- Renewal and upsell workflows
Fixing issues in these processes can have an immediate impact on performance.
Document Changes Outside of Hubspot
When you act on recommendations, keep a brief change log. Note which workflows were edited, what actions were updated, and why. This makes it easier to troubleshoot later and coordinate with your sales and marketing teams.
Additional Resources for Optimizing Hubspot Workflows
For the original documentation and the most current interface details, consult the official guide on using action recommendations in workflows on the Hubspot knowledge base: View Hubspot workflow recommendations article.
If you want strategic support implementing and scaling automation with best practices, you can also work with a dedicated CRM and marketing operations consultancy such as Consultevo.
Summary: Make the Most of Hubspot Workflow Intelligence
By regularly reviewing workflow action recommendations, you turn Hubspot into a proactive assistant that surfaces configuration problems and optimization opportunities before they affect your customers. Open your workflows, locate actions with alerts, follow the guided suggestions, and test updates so your automation runs reliably and continues to support your growth.
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.
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