Working with Segments

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Quick Reference

Segments

Segments are powerful user groups that help you target specific audiences with personalized content. SwapTopic provides multiple ways to create and manage segments.

Segment Paths

Segment Paths automatically assign or remove segments based on which pages users visit.

Setting Up Segment Paths

  1. Navigate to the Segment Paths tab in your dashboard
  2. Configure up to 8 segment paths with:
    • Path: The URL path that triggers segment assignment
    • Segment: The segment name to assign or remove
    • Action: Add or Remove
  3. Click Save Segments to activate your configuration

How It Works

  • When a visitor accesses /newsletter, they’re automatically added to the “newsletter” segment
  • If they visit /unsubscribe, the “newsletter” segment is removed
  • Downloading content at /pdf-download adds them to the “engaged” segment

Targeting Segments with Rules

In the Personalizations editor, you can target segments with:

  1. User Segment Rule: Shows content to visitors in specific segments

    Rule Type: User Segment
Segment: newsletter

  2. Not in Segment Rule: Shows content to visitors specifically NOT in a segment

    Rule Type: User Segment
Not in Segment: newsletter

  3. Multiple Segments: Target visitors in several segments

    newsletter, engaged, returning

Managing Segments Programmatically

URL Parameters

Add or remove segments via URL parameters:

https://yourstore.com/?addsegment=newsletter,engaged
https://yourstore.com/?removesegment=newsletter

JavaScript API

Manage segments directly with JavaScript:

// Add a segment
window.swapTopicAddSegment('newsletter');

// Check if user has a segment
if (window.swapTopicHasSegment('newsletter')) {
  // Show newsletter-specific content
}

// Remove a segment
window.swapTopicRemoveSegment('newsletter');

// Get all segments
const segments = window.swapTopicGetSegments();

// Clear all segments
window.swapTopicClearSegments();

Updating LocalStorage Directly (Advanced)

For advanced users who need direct access:

// Get current data
const swapTopicData = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('swaptopic'));

// Add a segment
if (!swapTopicData.segments.includes('newsletter')) {
  swapTopicData.segments.push('newsletter');
}

// Save changes
localStorage.setItem('swaptopic', JSON.stringify(swapTopicData));

Segment Best Practices

  1. Use descriptive names: Choose clear segment names like “newsletter” or “returning-customer”
  2. Keep segments focused: Create targeted segments for specific behaviors
  3. Combine with other rules: Use segments with visit count or referrer rules for precise targeting
  4. Expire segments when needed: Remove segments when they’re no longer relevant
  5. Start with 2-3 core segments: Begin with a few key segments before expanding

Examples

  • Newsletter subscribers: Add users to “newsletter” segment when they subscribe
  • Product interest: Add to “denim-fan” segment when viewing multiple denim products
  • Engagement level: Add to “engaged” segment when downloading resources
  • Cart abandoners: Use “abandoned-cart” segment for recovery messaging