Iterable integration with AI Decisioning

Audience: Technical Marketers, Marketing and Lifecycle Teams
Prerequisites: Prepare data for AID →

Overview

This guide walks through how to set up Iterable as a messaging destination in Hightouch and use it with AI Decisioning (AID) to power personalized, real-time campaigns. Once connected, AID can trigger email, SMS, and push messages in Iterable based on predictions or user behavior.

You’ll learn how to:

1. Set up Iterable as a destination
2. Add Iterable channels in AI Decisioning
3. Create and test AID actions
4. Use dynamic variables in Iterable messages

1. Set Up Iterable as a Destination

Follow the destination setup guide up to Sync Configuration. Once connected, Iterable will be available as a destination in AI Decisioning.

2. Add Channels in AI Decisioning

Channels define how Hightouch sends messages to Iterable (via Triggered Campaigns). After adding Iterable as a destination, set up Channels for each message type.

Shared Setup Steps

1. Go to AI Decisioning > Configuration
2. Click Add Channel
3. Choose a channel type:
   • Email – for triggered email sends
   • SMS – for triggered text messages
   • Push – for mobile push notifications
   • In-App – for in-app messaging (popups, inbox cards, etc.)
4. Select Iterable as the destination
5. Under Identifier type, choose how to match users:
   • Email – match by email address
   • User ID – match by unique ID
6. Choose the Identifier field from your model (e.g., user.email, user.id)
7. Click Add Channel, then Save Changes

Identifier Type Comparison

3. Add Actions

Actions link AID Agent predictions to Iterable campaigns.

Setup Steps

1. Go to AI Decisioning > Agents
2. Select your Agent and open the Configuration tab
3. Click Add Action
4. Choose your configured Iterable Channel
5. Select an Iterable template
   → How Iterable Templates and Campaigns Work with Hightouch
6. Enter a descriptive Action name (e.g., Cart Abandonment SMS)
7. Click Create Action

⚠️ Each Action maps directly to a template in Iterable. These must be part of a Triggered Campaign. Managed under Messaging > Campaigns > Triggered in Iterable.

Test the Action

1. Open the Action’s Content tab
2. Set test values for your variables
3. Click Send Test to verify the setup

Repeat this for any messaging types you need:

How Iterable Templates and Campaigns Work with Hightouch

When creating an Iterable Action in Hightouch, you're not sending the base template directly. Instead, Hightouch clones the template to create a new campaign.

What Happens Behind the Scenes

1. You select an existing Iterable template (by Template ID)
2. When you click Create Action, Hightouch:
   • Clones the template
   • Creates a new Campaign ID

3. Hightouch uses the new campaign ID to send messages via API—not the original template.

Why This Matters

• Hightouch sends through the new campaign, not the original.
• To update message content, edit the new campaign version—not the base template.

How to Preview the Right Campaign

• Navigate in Hightouch to:
  Agents > [Select Agent] > Actions
• Click the link under Destination Resource to open the Iterable campaign.

• Alternatively, open the Content tab in the Action.

4. Link AID Actions to Iterable Campaigns

Each AID Action must map to a triggered campaign in Iterable.

In Iterable

1. Go to Messaging > Campaigns
2. Click New Campaign > Triggered Campaign
3. Select the message type
4. Design your template and publish the campaign
5. Copy the Campaign ID or API Trigger Name

In Hightouch

6. Use this ID in your AID Action setup
7. Test the action

5. Use Variables in Iterable Templates

You can embed live warehouse data directly into Iterable templates.

Access and Use Variables

1. Open the Action in Hightouch
2. Go to the Content tab
3. Use Copy Snippet to get the variable format (e.g., {{ user.discount_code }})
4. Paste it into your Iterable message content

Troubleshooting Tips

If a message isn’t delivered:

• ✅ Check Hightouch logs for API errors
• ✅ Verify the identifier (email or user ID) matches a record in Iterable
• ✅ Confirm the campaign is live and triggerable
• ✅ Double-check variable syntax and field mapping