What is a time-based trigger?

A time-based trigger fires email automation based on time conditions rather than user actions:

Fixed schedules: Emails sent at specific times. "Send every Monday at 9am."

Relative delays: Emails sent after time elapses from an event. "Send 3 days after signup."

Date matching: Emails sent when dates match. "Send on customer's birthday."

Recurring intervals: Emails sent on regular cycles. "Send monthly digest on the 1st."

Time-based triggers are foundational for:

Drip campaign sequences with spaced messages. Reminder emails before events or expirations. Anniversary and milestone recognition. Scheduled content delivery like newsletters.

Time-based triggers create predictable cadence. They ensure communication happens even without specific user actions to respond to.