These are essential tips and reminders when using tag-based automation on RealScout.
When using Tags on RealScout for Automation
Overview of Listing Notifications and Alerts
RealScout offers several types of email alerts to keep clients updated:
Listing Alerts: Based on saved searches and tied to specific criteria, such as location or property type.
Market Activity Alerts (MAA): Provide updates on market activity within a broader zip code, which may include nearby towns.
Home Value Alerts (HVA): Sent to property owners based on their address. If a valuation cannot be generated, the system may default to sending a Market Activity Alert for the zip code.
RealScout checks for tag matches every hour.
If a contact has a tag that matches any tag on a template, whether the contact is an existing or new contact, they receive an alert.
Tags are not case-sensitive (for example, “Buyer” and “buyer” are treated the same).
Our tip is to make the template tag(s) as unique or custom to that alert as possible.
Example: If you have a lot of contacts with common tags such as Buyers, Sellers, please reconsider using those as tags, otherwise ALL will have the alerts.
When using Tags on RealScout for Contact Sign-up
Any tag you add to the new sign-up that also matches a template tag will have that template assigned/added to that contact.
FAQs: When using Tagged Template Alerts on RealScout
Triggering too many accidentally tagged alerts simultaneously can cause emails to be flagged as spam by contacts.
Once you change a Template's criteria, it cannot be edited; however, tags can be edited. Things to Know About Tags and Template Tag-Based Automation
Tags can automatically apply Listing Alert and Market Activity Alert templates to contacts when the tags match. This guide covers essential tips for using tags effectively on RealScout—from tags added at contact sign-up to tags used for template automation.
How tag automation works
Rule | What it means |
Match-based | If a contact tag matches a template tag, RealScout assigns that template's alert to the contact. |
Runs hourly | RealScout checks for tag matches about once per hour. |
Not case-sensitive |
|
Affects all contacts | A template tag matches both existing and new contacts, not just newly created ones. |
⚠️ Important: Avoid broad tags like Buyer or Seller on targeted templates. If many contacts already have that tag, you can accidentally assign alerts to a large group at once.
Set up tag automation (adding tags to templates)
Set up tag automation (adding tags to templates)
Click on Alerts then go to Templates.
Open Listing Alert Templates or Market Activity Alert Templates.
Open the template you want to use.
Add one or more Tags to the template.
💡 Pro Tip: Use unique, purpose-built tags like LA_Oakland_600-900k instead of generic tags like Buyer. This prevents accidental bulk assignments.
Trigger automation (adding tags to contacts before/after setting up templates with tags)
Option 1: For new contacts
Option 1: For new contacts
When creating a new contact, create and/or add a tag that matches a template tag you've assigned.
The template will be automatically assigned within the hour.
Option 2: For existing contacts
Option 2: For existing contacts
Go to Contacts.
Select the Contact(s).
Add the same tag that exists on your template. (example below is
Template Tag)Wait up to 60 minutes for the hourly check.
Verify email alerts
Open the contact.
Check their email alerts section.
Confirm the alert exists and matches the template (view criteria)
Common troubleshooting scenarios:
Template tag is too broad → Alerts get assigned to many unintended contacts
Example would be adding a common tag like buyer to sellers accidentally and them getting a buyer alert template.
Tag mismatch → Check for spelling or punctuation differences (CASE doesn't matter; spelling does)
Wrong template type → Make sure you set the tag for your group/segment of leads so they are set on the appropriate Listing Alert and/or Market Activity Alert
Market Activity Alerts or Home Value Alerts causing off-area content → These alerts may include broader areas like nearby towns or zip codes. Adjust or disable these alerts if they are causing unintended notifications.
Agent settings influencing non-search-based campaigns → Verify that the agent’s default map or settings are not unintentionally triggering alerts.
FAQs
Why did alerts get assigned to contacts I didn't expect?
The template tag matched tags that were already on your Contact and/or you may have added the template to the lead. You can disable this from your listing alerts dashboard or your market alert dashboard to select more than one alert to turn off at a time (mass-deactivating of alerts).
Additionally, broader notifications may occur due to the nature of Market Activity Alerts or Home Value Alerts, which can include nearby towns or zip codes. Review and adjust these alerts to ensure they align with your intended audience.
How long does it take for a tagged template to get added to a contact?
Up to about 60 minutes (RealScout checks hourly). ASAP listing alert templates go out the same day; daily schedules for listing alerts and next-day market alert sends will go out the next day.
Can I change a template later?
Once you change a template's criteria, it cannot be edited further; you may need to create a new template. You can edit/add tags to a template as needed to adjust automation.
What happens if I trigger too many alerts at once?
Sending too many alerts simultaneously can cause emails to be flagged as spam by contacts' email providers. RealScout will group same-day emails together but cannot predict if too many templates have been assigned to a single contact.
To manage this, regularly review active alerts and ensure that tags and templates are configured to target specific groups. Avoid using overly broad tags or templates that could result in mass notifications.