How to Import Extracted Emails into Drip
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Export and import options vary by plan, permissions and product version. Check the platform’s current help documentation if a menu or format differs. Use only contact data you are authorized to process; an extracted address is not proof of marketing consent.
Why Import into Drip?
After extracting email addresses from files using Email Extractor, you may want to bring them into Drip for ecommerce email marketing. Drip is a marketing automation platform built for ecommerce businesses. It integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and other ecommerce platforms, and provides email campaigns, visual workflows, segmentation, revenue attribution, product recommendations and onsite personalisation.
Importing an extracted email list into Drip lets you add people to your account, tag them, enroll them in workflows and send targeted campaigns.
Before You Import
Prepare the file
Email Extractor produces a file with email addresses only. Drip accepts CSV imports. Email is the only required field.
- Extract email addresses using Email Extractor at bulkemailextractor.com.
- Download the results as CSV.
- The CSV contains one email address per row. This is ready for Drip import.
If you have names or other data in a separate file, combine the files in a spreadsheet application before importing.
Consider verification
If the extracted emails come from old files or uncertain sources, verify the list before importing. Drip monitors deliverability closely. See Best email verification services.
How to Import
- Log in to Drip.
- Go to People > Import People.
- Choose Upload a CSV file and select your file.
- Drip shows a field mapping screen. Map the email column to the Email field.
- Optionally apply a tag to the imported people (e.g., "Imported Oct 2026").
- Choose the subscription status. If the contacts have not opted in to marketing through your Drip account, import them as unsubscribed or with a tag rather than as active subscribers.
- Review the import summary.
- Start the import.
- Drip processes the file and reports how many people were created, updated and skipped.
After Import
Review the import results
Drip shows how many people were added, how many already existed (updated with new tags) and how many were skipped. Review these numbers.
Check workflow triggers
Drip workflows can be triggered by tags, events or subscriber properties. If the tag you applied to imported people triggers a workflow (a welcome series, a lead nurture sequence), imported people may enter that workflow. Review workflow triggers before importing or use a tag that is not connected to any workflow.
Send a targeted broadcast
Before sending to all imported people, create a segment for the imported group (using the import tag) and send a small broadcast to test engagement.
Monitor engagement
Track open rates, click rates and unsubscribe rates for imported people separately. Drip's segmentation makes this straightforward.
Things to Know
People-centric model
Drip uses a people-centric model. Each email address is one person record. Importing an email address that already exists in Drip updates that person (adds the new tag) rather than creating a duplicate.
Unsubscribes
If a person previously unsubscribed from your Drip account, importing their email address again does not re-subscribe them. Drip respects the original unsubscribe decision.
Pricing
Drip charges based on the number of people in your account. Importing people increases your count and may change your billing tier. People who have been removed or unsubscribed may still count toward your limit depending on your plan.
No automatic enrichment
Drip does not look up names, purchase history or other details for imported email addresses. People imported with email only will have minimal profiles until they interact with your store while being tracked by Drip.
Ecommerce data
Drip's segmentation, workflows and revenue attribution rely on ecommerce data. Imported people without store interaction history will not qualify for ecommerce-based segments until they engage with your store.
Tags vs segments
In Drip, tags are labels you apply to people. Segments are dynamic groups based on rules (tags, behaviour, properties, events). Tags are applied during import; segments include or exclude people automatically based on criteria. Use tags to identify imported people, then build segments to target them.
Custom fields
Drip supports custom fields for additional data. If you have data beyond email addresses (source, acquisition date, interest category), add it as custom fields during import.
Workflows
Drip's visual workflow builder is one of its key features. Workflows can include email sequences, wait steps, branching logic, integrations and more. Be intentional about which workflows imported people should enter.
Lifecycle stages
Drip supports lifecycle stages (lead, prospect, customer). Imported people may be assigned a default stage. Update their stage based on their actual relationship with your business.
