Beehiiv Segmentation: Limited Tags & Targeting | Broadcast

Beehiiv’s Segmentation Limits

Beehiiv’s approach to segmentation is built around their newsletter-first model. That means basic distinctions work, but anything more nuanced gets difficult.

What Beehiiv Offers

Free vs paid subscriber distinction
Basic tier-based segmentation for monetized newsletters
Subscription status filtering
Active, inactive, unsubscribed
Basic engagement metrics
Open and click activity at a high level

What Beehiiv Lacks

Limited custom tagging
No robust tag management system for categorizing subscribers
No advanced segment builder
Cannot create complex AND/OR logic for subscriber targeting
Limited custom fields
Cannot store arbitrary subscriber data for targeting
No multiple list support
Single publication model limits multi-product businesses

Broadcast’s Full Segmentation

Precision targeting tools included in every license

Unlimited Tags

Create as many tags as you need. Categorize subscribers by interest, source, behavior, purchase history, or any criteria you choose.

Multiple Lists

Run multiple email lists from a single Broadcast installation. Separate lists for different products, brands, or audiences.

Custom Fields

Store any data alongside subscriber records—company name, plan type, location, purchase date. Use it all for targeting.

Advanced Segments (AND/OR)

Build complex segments with AND/OR logic. Combine tags, custom fields, and engagement data for precision targeting.

Behavioral Targeting

Segment by opens, clicks, link clicks, and engagement patterns. Target your most active subscribers or re-engage dormant ones.

Import & Sync Segments

Import subscriber data with tags and custom fields from CSV files. Sync segments from external data sources through the API.

Why Segmentation Matters

The difference between a blast and a targeted email is measurable

Higher Open Rates

Targeted emails consistently outperform mass blasts. Segmented campaigns see 14–20% higher open rates because the content is relevant to the recipient.

Better Conversions

The right message to the right person converts. When you segment by interest, behavior, or lifecycle stage, your calls-to-action become dramatically more effective.

Improved Deliverability

Engaged lists mean better sender reputation. By sending only to interested segments, you reduce unsubscribes, spam complaints, and improve inbox placement.

Practical Scenarios

How better segmentation translates to real business results

E-commerce

Segment by purchase history, product category, or order value. Send targeted promotions to customers who bought similar products. Tag VIP customers for exclusive early access.

With Beehiiv: Limited to free/paid distinction. No purchase-based targeting.

SaaS

Segment by feature usage, plan tier, or onboarding stage. Send targeted tips to users who haven’t used a key feature. Trigger upgrade campaigns based on usage patterns.

With Beehiiv: No custom field support for tracking feature usage.

Multi-Product

Segment by interest or product line. Run separate email campaigns for different products from the same installation. Only send relevant content to each audience segment.

With Beehiiv: Single publication model makes multi-product targeting difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You can export your subscriber data from Beehiiv as a CSV and import it into Broadcast with tags and custom fields. Since Broadcast supports more segmentation options, you can actually build more refined segments after migration than you had before.

There are no artificial limits. Since Broadcast runs on your own server, you can create as many tags, lists, custom fields, and segments as your use case requires. The only limit is your server’s storage and processing capacity, which is generous even on modest VPS plans.

Beehiiv has been iterating on their product, but their newsletter-first model inherently limits segmentation depth. Even if they add more features, those additions will likely be gated behind higher pricing tiers. With Broadcast, every feature is available from day one at a single one-time price.