What is a triggered email?

A triggered email is sent automatically in response to a user action or system event. This includes cart abandonment, onboarding steps, or profile updates.

The distinction between triggered and transactional email is subtle but important. Transactional email fulfills a direct request, such as a password reset. Triggered email reacts to behavior, such as abandoning a shopping cart. Triggered emails are personalized and timely because they respond to specific moments. They are the tugboats that move only when summoned.