How does the "Avoid duplicate birthday messages" option work?
How does the "Avoid duplicate birthday messages" option work?
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Quick summary
The "Avoid duplicate birthday messages" option prevents sending multiple messages to same contact for same birthday. If enabled, only one message is allowed per birthday per year.
Where this option is located
In campaign configuration
Location:
- Create or edit Birthday campaign
- Step 4: Advanced options
- Checkbox "Avoid duplicate birthday messages"
Recommended status: Enabled
How it works
Basic principle
Operation is based per birthday and per year:
If option is enabled:
- Novalya records that message was sent for this contact's birthday
- All other sending attempts for same birthday will be blocked
- Automatic reset on January 1st of following year
If option is disabled:
- You can send multiple messages (before, day D, after) to same contact
- No restriction
Case 1: Sending before birthday
Period D-1 to D-6
Example: You send message at D-2 (2 days before)
Result if option enabled:
- ✅ Message sent at D-2
- ❌ Other BEFORE days are blocked:
- D-6, D-5, D-4, D-3, D-1 → Blocked
- ✅ Day D remains available
- ✅ D+1 and D+2 remain available
Interface display:
- Status: "Already sent" only for "before birthday" period
- Other periods (day D, after) remain usable
Case 2: Sending on day D
Birthday day
Example: You send message on day D
Result if option enabled:
- ✅ Message sent on day D
- ❌ AFTER days are blocked:
- D+1, D+2 → Blocked
Impact:
- If you planned to also send at D+1 → Won't work
- Contact already received their birthday message on the day itself
Case 3: Sending after birthday
Period D+1 or D+2
Example: You send message at D+1 (next day)
Result if option enabled:
- ✅ Message sent at D+1
- ❌ Other AFTER day is blocked:
- D+2 → Blocked
Advantage:
- You can send after birthday if you didn't send before or on day D
- Useful if you missed previous periods
Annual reset
January 1st of each year
How it works:
System automatically resets on January 1st:
Example:
- Marc's birthday: March 15
- You send message on March 13, 2026 (D-2)
- Marc is blocked for rest of his 2026 birthday
- January 1, 2027: Reset
- You can send message again for his 2027 birthday
Difference with other filters
Specific to Birthday module
This option is different from:
"Already targeted by Novalya" (prospecting):
- Used in prospecting campaigns
- Avoids targeting multiple times in prospecting
- Doesn't impact birthdays
"Existing conversation":
- Filters if conversation is open
- Can be combined with birthdays
- Different logic
CRM filters / Pipelines:
- Organize your contacts
- Don't block sending
- Complementary to duplicates option
Why enable this option
Protection and professionalism
Reasons to enable (recommended):
- Prevents multiple sends
- Contact receives only one birthday message
- Avoids redundancy
- Protects your image
- Avoids appearing "automated" or "spam"
- Maintains natural behavior
- Avoids artificial behavior
- Sending 3 messages (D-1, D, D+1) to same contact = suspicious
- Single message = natural
- Guarantees single contact point
- You choose your best timing (D-1 or D+1)
- Maximize impact with one well-placed message
If period is blocked
"Already sent" status
In contact list for campaign, you'll see:
Status: "Already sent"
Meaning:
- Message already sent for this birthday this year
- Contact is excluded from current campaign
- You cannot force sending
Possible action:
- Wait until next year (January 1st reset)
- Or disable option for future campaigns (not recommended)
FAQ
Is this related to Facebook or is it a Novalya rule?
It's an internal Novalya rule to protect you and maintain natural behavior. Facebook doesn't impose this limit.
Is it per campaign or per account?
It's global to Novalya account for Facebook. If you send via one campaign, another campaign cannot send for same period of same birthday.
Can I see who already received message this year?
Yes, in contact list, "Already sent" status indicates message was sent for this birthday.
What happens if I disable option mid-year?
Past sends remain recorded until January 1st. Disabling option allows sending new messages, but this is not recommended.
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Updated on: 27/03/2026
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