To create and use Trigger Links in GoHighLevel, go to Marketing → Trigger Links and click Create Trigger Link. You will then integrate these links into your workflows and messages for dynamic actions and tracking. This process typically takes 5-10 minutes for a basic setup.
Key Takeaways
✓Always insert the actual Trigger Link, not just the Custom Value, into your messages for it to function correctly.
✓Leverage Custom Values with Trigger Links to dynamically update URLs for recurring promotions without editing workflows.
✓Utilize the "Wait for Trigger Link Click" step in workflows to create highly responsive and personalized automation sequences.
✓Implement dedicated unsubscribe Trigger Links to maintain compliance across all communication channels.
✓Regularly review Trigger Link performance to optimize your campaigns and understand contact engagement.
What Are GoHighLevel Trigger Links?
GoHighLevel Trigger Links are powerful, trackable URLs that activate specific actions within your automation workflows when clicked. They are fundamental for creating interactive and responsive customer journeys, allowing you to personalize experiences based on contact engagement.
Unlike standard links, Trigger Links provide valuable data on who clicked, when they clicked, and what happened next. This functionality is crucial for segmenting your audience, automating follow-ups, and ensuring compliance across your marketing efforts.
🔥 Pro Tip
Use Trigger Links to segment your audience based on interest. For example, if a contact clicks a link about 'Service A,' you can automatically add them to a specific nurture campaign for that service.
How Do I Create a New Trigger Link in GoHighLevel?
Creating a Trigger Link is the first step to unlocking dynamic automation in GoHighLevel. This process ensures your links are trackable and ready to be integrated into your emails, SMS messages, and workflows.
1
Access Trigger Links Section — From your GoHighLevel dashboard, click Marketing in the left-hand menu. Then, select Trigger Links to open your list of existing links.
2
Initiate New Link Creation — On the Trigger Links page, click the + Create Trigger Link button located in the top right corner. This action opens a new window where you will configure your link.
3
Name Your Trigger Link — Enter a descriptive name for your Trigger Link in the Name field. Choose a name that clearly indicates its purpose, such as 'Offer Page Link' or 'Webinar Registration Link'.
4
Set the Redirect URL — In the Redirect URL field, paste the full URL where you want contacts to be directed after clicking the link. This is the destination page for your Trigger Link.
5
Save Your Trigger Link — Once you have entered the name and redirect URL, click Save. Your new Trigger Link is now created and ready for use in your communications and workflows.
✅ Each Trigger Link generates a unique, trackable URL. Always use this generated URL in your messages, not the original Redirect URL, to ensure proper tracking and automation.
How Do I Use Trigger Links in GoHighLevel Workflows?
Integrating Trigger Links into your GoHighLevel workflows allows you to automate actions based on contact engagement. When a contact clicks a Trigger Link in an email or SMS, it can initiate a series of predefined steps, making your marketing more responsive.
1
Open or Create a Workflow — Navigate to Automation → Workflows and either select an existing workflow to edit or click + Create workflow to start a new one.
2
Add a Communication Action — Within your workflow, add an action like Send SMS or Send Email. This is where you will place your Trigger Link for contacts to click.
3
Insert the Trigger Link — In the message body of your email or SMS action, type a relevant anchor text (e.g., 'Click here to learn more'). Then, use the Custom Values selector or the link icon in the editor to insert your desired Trigger Link. Ensure you select the actual Trigger Link, not just its associated Custom Value.
4
Define Follow-Up Actions (Optional) — After the communication step, you can add further actions that trigger upon link click. For example, add a Wait step for a 'Trigger Link Click' to initiate an immediate follow-up.
5
Save and Publish Your Workflow — Once you have integrated the Trigger Link and any subsequent actions, click Save and then Publish your workflow. This activates the automation.
✅ Crucially, when adding a Trigger Link to a message, select the Trigger Link itself from the custom values or link insertion tool. Do NOT paste a raw custom value, as it will not 'fire' the trigger link's tracking capabilities.
🔥 Pro Tip
Always test your workflows with Trigger Links before publishing them. Send a test email/SMS to yourself and click the link to ensure all automation steps fire as expected.
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Can I Use Dynamic URLs with Trigger Links and Custom Values?
Yes, you can create highly flexible and dynamic content by combining Trigger Links with Custom Values. This setup is ideal for situations where your offer URL changes frequently, such as monthly promotions, but you want to use the same workflow without constant manual edits.
1
Define or Locate Your Custom Value — Go to Settings → Custom Values and create a new custom value (e.g., `_promo_url_`) or identify an existing one. Assign it your current promotional URL.
2
Create a New Trigger Link — Follow the steps outlined earlier to create a new Trigger Link. Give it a clear name, like 'Dynamic Offer Link'.
3
Assign Custom Value as Redirect URL — Instead of a static URL, use your Custom Value in the Redirect URL field for the Trigger Link. For example, enter `{{custom_values._promo_url_}}`.
0
4
Insert Trigger Link into Messages — Integrate this new Trigger Link (which now uses your custom value) into your emails and SMS messages within your workflows. Remember to insert the Trigger Link itself, not the raw Custom Value.
5
Update Custom Value for New Promotions — When your promotion changes, simply update the URL in your Custom Value settings (e.g., `_promo_url_`). All future messages using that Trigger Link will automatically point to the new URL.
✅ A critical point: Updating your Custom Value will only affect future messages that utilize the associated Trigger Link. It will not retroactively change the destination URL of any Trigger Links already sent in past campaigns.
🔥 Pro Tip
Use a consistent naming convention for Custom Values intended for dynamic Trigger Links (e.g., starting with `_dynamic_` or `_offer_`) to easily identify them.
How Do I Use a Workflow Wait Step for a Trigger Link Click?
The 'Wait' step in GoHighLevel workflows, specifically configured for a Trigger Link click, allows you to create highly intelligent and responsive automation. This enables your workflows to pause until a specific action (a link click) occurs, or to proceed after a defined period if no click happens.
1
Access Your Workflow — Go to Automation → Workflows and open the workflow where you want to implement a wait step based on a Trigger Link click.
2
Add a 'Wait' Action — Click the + icon to add a new action in your workflow, then select the Wait action from the available options.
3
Configure Wait Condition — Inside the 'Wait' action settings, set the 'Wait For' condition to Trigger Link Click. Then, select the specific Trigger Link you want the workflow to wait for from the dropdown menu.
4
Define Wait Timeout (Optional but Recommended) — Toggle on the 'Timeout' option and set a duration (e.g., 1 day, 3 hours). This determines how long the workflow waits for the link click before proceeding down an alternative path or the next step.
5
Create Conditional Paths — After the 'Wait' step, add an If/Else condition. One path will be for contacts who clicked the link within the timeout, and the other for those who did not. This allows for tailored follow-ups.
6
Save Workflow — Ensure all changes are saved within the 'Wait' action and the overall workflow. Then, publish your workflow to activate these intelligent wait conditions.
⚠️ When enabled, the timeout function will skip the 'Wait' action after the defined time if the Trigger Link is not clicked. This means the contact will proceed to the next step or a specific 'Timeout' branch in your workflow without clicking the link.
🔥 Pro Tip
Utilize the 'Timeout' feature to create urgency or to send alternative messages. For example, if a link isn't clicked within 24 hours, send a reminder email with a different subject line.
How Do I Set Up Unsubscribe Trigger Links by Communication Channels?
Maintaining compliance with anti-spam laws is crucial. GoHighLevel allows you to implement unsubscribe Trigger Links, giving contacts an easy way to opt out of specific communication channels (like email) while still managing their overall communication preferences.
1
Understand Default SMS Opt-Outs — Be aware that SMS carriers automatically handle opt-out keywords (e.g., STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE). Contacts using these keywords will be unsubscribed from SMS messages by default.
2
Create a Dedicated Unsubscribe Trigger Link — Follow the steps in 'How Do I Create a New Trigger Link' to create a new Trigger Link. Name it clearly, such as 'Email Unsubscribe Link'.
3
Set the Unsubscribe Redirect URL — For the Redirect URL, use a link to your dedicated unsubscribe page or a GoHighLevel form designed to update contact preferences. This page should confirm the unsubscribe action.
4
Integrate into Email Footers — Place this unsubscribe Trigger Link prominently in the footer of all your marketing emails. This ensures easy access for contacts wishing to opt out, maintaining compliance.
5
Verify API Domain Setup (Agency Level) — Ensure your agency's API domain is properly configured. This domain is used for all Trigger Links, including unsubscribe links, and is shared across all sub-accounts/locations.
⚠️ Currently, you cannot set each location/subaccount to have its own API domain for Trigger Links. You must add one API domain that will be shared across all locations/sub-accounts within your agency.
✅ By default, SMS carriers have prebuilt opt-out keywords like 'STOP', 'STOPALL', 'UNSUBSCRIBE', 'CANCEL', 'END', 'QUIT'. When these keywords are used, the contact will automatically be unsubscribed from SMS. To opt back in, the contact needs to respond 'Start'.
🔥 Pro Tip
Consider creating an unsubscribe page that also offers options to manage preferences (e.g., 'receive fewer emails,' 'only specific topics') instead of a full unsubscribe, to retain some engagement.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
⚠️ My dynamic URL isn't updating in old messages.
Dynamic updates using Custom Values only affect future messages. Past links, once sent, remain unchanged. You must send new messages to reflect the updated URL.
⚠️ My workflow isn't advancing after a contact clicks the link.
Ensure you inserted the actual Trigger Link into the message, not just the Custom Value. The Trigger Link's unique tracking is what activates workflow steps.
⚠️ The Trigger Link isn't redirecting correctly.
Double-check the Redirect URL within the Trigger Link settings (Marketing → Trigger Links). Look for typos, incorrect formatting (e.g., missing `https://`), or an outdated URL.
⚠️ Contacts aren't unsubscribing when they click my unsubscribe link.
Verify the unsubscribe trigger link's redirect URL points to a valid unsubscribe page or action. Also, check the contact's profile to see if they are already marked as 'Do Not Disturb' for that channel.
⚠️ My wait step times out before the contact clicks the link.
Adjust the timeout duration in the 'Wait' action settings to allow sufficient time for contact interaction. Consider the average time contacts need to open an email and click a link.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
→Inserting the Custom Value directly into messages instead of the Trigger Link itself, which prevents tracking and automation.
→Forgetting to activate or save a newly created Trigger Link before attempting to use it in workflows or messages.
→Assuming dynamic URL changes (via Custom Values) retroactively apply to previously sent messages, leading to outdated links.
→Misconfiguring the 'Wait for Trigger Link Click' step, causing workflows to advance too quickly or wait indefinitely.
→Overlooking the need for a properly configured API domain at the agency level when setting up custom branded Trigger Links.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat is the primary difference between a Custom Value and a Trigger Link in a message?
A Custom Value is a placeholder for dynamic data, like a URL, which you define in GoHighLevel settings. A Trigger Link is a special GoHighLevel link that, when clicked, not only redirects to a URL (which can be a Custom Value) but also records the click event. This recorded click is what triggers workflow actions. You must insert the actual Trigger Link into your messages, not just the Custom Value, for tracking and automation to function correctly.
QCan I use dynamic URLs with trigger links for monthly or quarterly promotions?
Yes, absolutely. This is a key benefit of combining Trigger Links with Custom Values. You can create a Custom Value for your "offer URL," then set a Trigger Link to use that Custom Value as its redirect destination. When your promotion changes, simply update the Custom Value's URL, and all active workflows using that Trigger Link will automatically point to the new offer URL for all future messages.
QHow do unsubscribe trigger links work across different communication channels?
Unsubscribe trigger links are primarily designed for email and SMS. For SMS, carriers have built-in opt-out keywords (like STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE) that automatically unsubscribe contacts. For emails, you create a specific Trigger Link that redirects to an unsubscribe page or triggers an unsubscribe action within GoHighLevel. This ensures you maintain compliance by providing a clear opt-out mechanism within your controlled communication channels.
QWhat happens if a contact clicks an unsubscribe trigger link?
When a contact clicks an unsubscribe trigger link, GoHighLevel will typically mark that contact as "Do Not Disturb" for the relevant communication channel (e.g., email, SMS). This action prevents further marketing messages from being sent to them through that specific channel, helping you maintain compliance with anti-spam regulations and respect contact preferences.
QHow can I track if a specific trigger link has been clicked by a contact?
GoHighLevel automatically tracks all trigger link clicks. You can review this activity in a contact's profile under the "Activity" tab, which logs every click event. More powerfully, you can use a "Wait" step in a workflow, configured to "Wait for Trigger Link Click," to automate subsequent actions based on whether a contact engages with your link, enabling highly responsive automation sequences.
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Arsalan Zaffar
Revset Labs · Revenue Systems · 78+ GHL Builds
Arsalan writes GHL guides from real build experience — 78+ systems, $9.2M in client pipeline. Wharton, CXL & Google certified.
