GHL Contact Merging Workflows Running Smoothly

GoHighLevel now automatically protects your automations when contacts are merged, whether manually, through forms, Live Chat, or contact imports.

In the past, merging contacts could break automations. The old contact might get deleted, and the workflow? Dropped. Lost steps, missed follow-ups, and a mess to clean up.

With this update, GHL fixes that completely.

When two contacts are merged, your active workflows stay alive. If the contact being merged (the old one) was in a workflow, that progress is now handed off to the master contact, the one you choose to keep.

Here’s what’s improved:

• If the master contact isn’t already in the workflow, the automation picks up where the old one left off.
• If the contact you kept is already moving through the workflow, GHL cancels the extra one and logs the action for clarity.

Even if you’re merging multiple contacts into one, GHL can handle it. Everything routes back to the right person without a hitch.

This makes contact merging a smooth, safe process, even during high-volume list cleanups or automation-heavy campaigns.

Before this update, merging contacts could feel like stepping on a landmine.

If the wrong contact got deleted, or if the automation didn’t transfer, the workflow simply stopped. You’d lose progress, skip follow-ups, and potentially miss sales opportunities. Even worse, GHL wouldn’t always show you what happened behind the scenes.

Now, that’s been fixed at the core logic level.

Here’s how the improved system works:

• When two (or more) contacts are merged, GHL checks if the master contact is already enrolled in a workflow.
• If not, it transfers the current progress over, no gaps, no re-triggers, no manual restart needed.
• If the master contact is already enrolled, GHL cancels the duplicate and logs a message that says:
  “Contact is removed from the workflow since the enrolled contact was merged, and the master contact is already enrolled in the workflow.”

This logic is tight. No more double messaging, missed steps, or ghosted automations. It keeps the journey clean for both your contacts and your automation map.

So now, whether you’re merging contacts manually or it’s happening behind the scenes (like when a guest adds their email), GHL has your workflow’s back.

If you’ve ever cleaned up duplicate contacts and watched your automation fizzle out mid-sequence, this update is for you. GHL now ensures workflows stay intact and active, even when contacts are merged. Here’s how to take full advantage of it:

1.1 In your GHL account, click “Contacts” from the left-hand menu.
1.2 Use the search or SmartList filters to locate potential duplicates.

2.1 Select the duplicate contacts you want to merge.
2.2 Click the merge icon (two arrows into one).
2.3 Choose which contact will be the Master Contact, the one you want to keep.
2.4 Confirm the merge.

3.1 If the merged contact was in a workflow and the master is not, GHL auto-transfers the automation.
3.2 If the master contact is already enrolled, GHL cancels the duplicate and logs it clearly.

4.1 Go to Automation > Workflows > Click into the relevant workflow.
4.2 Open Execution Logs to verify the contact’s journey.
4.3 Look for the “Contact Merge” entry to see exactly what happened.

And that’s it. You’re now merging smarter without risking your automations.

Now that GoHighLevel protects your automations during contact merges, it’s a good time to tidy up your CRM. Whether you’re just cleaning house or importing a big list, these tips will help you do it without breaking anything.

1. Always Tag Before You Merge
Before combining contacts, drop a temporary tag like “to-merge” or “duplicate-check.” This lets you track merged contacts later or identify the ones you cleaned up.

2. Add Notes for Context
Not sure if two contacts are the same person? Add a note explaining your decision before merging. It gives your team visibility and a trail to follow.

3. Run Merges Before Launching Campaigns
Don’t wait until workflows are mid-run. Run a contact merge audit before launching a big nurture sequence or webinar flow. That way, no one gets duplicated or skipped.

4. Export a Backup List First
If you’re Contact Merging in bulk, export the list with key fields (name, email, tags, workflows, last activity). That way, if anything goes sideways, you’ve got a restore point.

5. Clean Up SmartLists Post-Merge
After Contact Merging, review SmartLists and update filters if needed. You may have new tags or changed field values that shift where contacts show up.

6. Communicate With Your Team
Let your team know when large merges are happening. If someone’s running sales calls, they’ll appreciate the heads-up if contacts suddenly consolidate.

With these in play, you’ll keep your CRM clean, and your automations even cleaner.

This GHL update might not flash like a brand-new feature, but make no mistake, it’s a game-changer for agencies and automation-heavy users.

By fixing one of the most frustrating CRM pain points, broken workflows after contact merges, GoHighLevel just made your entire system more reliable. You no longer need to babysit automations, manually restart journeys, or guess what went wrong.

Now, your automations keep flowing:

• When a Live Chat guest adds their email
• When a CSV import triggers duplicates
• When a form submission finds a match
• Or anytime you clean up your contact database

Your workflows stick to the right contact, pick up where they left off, and give your team one less thing to worry about.

If you’ve been holding off on cleaning up duplicates, this is your green light. Go ahead and merge, GHL’s got your back now.