If you've ever spent an afternoon wrestling with segment conditions in Klaviyo - stacking filter after filter, second-guessing your logic, only to end up with an audience that feels a bit... off - you're going to love what they've been building.
Klaviyo's AI-powered segment builder is one of the most genuinely useful updates the platform has rolled out in a while. Instead of manually configuring every condition, you can now describe the audience you're looking for in plain English, and Klaviyo's AI will translate that into a working segment - ready to review, refine, and use.
In this post, we'll walk you through exactly how it works, where it shines, and how to get the most out of it for your email and SMS programme.
Klaviyo introduced natural language segmentation as part of their broader push to bring AI-driven tools into everyday marketing workflows. Rather than building segments by manually selecting properties and operators, you type a plain-language description of your target audience - something like "customers who bought more than twice in the last 90 days but haven't opened an email in 30 days" - and Klaviyo generates the segment conditions for you.
It's worth being clear: the AI isn't making marketing decisions for you. It's translating your intent into Klaviyo's segment logic. You still review, approve, and refine the output. Think of it as a very capable assistant that handles the technical heavy lifting.
💡 Quick tip: This feature is available on Klaviyo's standard and above plans. If you can't see it yet, check your plan tier or reach out to Klaviyo support.
Good segmentation is one of the highest-leverage activities in email marketing. The difference between a segment built with real precision and a rough approximation can be the difference between a 35% open rate and a 15% one - and between nurturing a loyal customer and landing in the promotions tab.
The problem has always been the gap between what marketers know and what they can build. Most people can articulate their ideal audience in a sentence. Far fewer people can translate that into a nested set of Klaviyo conditions without it taking thirty minutes and three attempts.
The AI segment builder closes that gap. It makes sophisticated segmentation accessible, not just for specialists, but for anyone managing a Klaviyo account.
Head to Lists & Segments in your Klaviyo account and click Create Segment. You'll land in the familiar segment editor — but now you'll notice a new option at the top: "Describe your segment" or a similar AI prompt field, depending on which version of the interface you're on.
This is where it gets genuinely interesting. Type a description of the audience you want to reach. Be as specific as you can - the more detail you give, the more accurate the output.
Some examples that work well:.
Klaviyo will generate a set of segment conditions based on your description. Don't just hit save - take a moment to review them. Check that the logic matches your intent, that the operators (at least, exactly, is not) are correct, and that the time windows make sense for your send frequency.
This is where your expertise still matters. The AI is handling the translation - you're handling the strategy.
Use the Preview option to see how many profiles your segment currently includes. If the number looks too high or too low, adjust the conditions manually or try rephrasing your description.
A well-built segment typically has a clear, defensible rationale. If you can't explain in one sentence why someone belongs in that audience, it's worth tightening the logic.
Give your segment a name that makes sense to anyone on your team - not just you right now, but future-you and your colleagues. Something like "New Customers - No Second Purchase (60 Days)" beats "Segment April 2026" every single time.
Once saved, your segment is live and dynamic, it will update automatically as your customer data changes.
Not sure where to start? Here are five high-value audiences worth building right now:.
📌 Note: Klaviyo's predictive analytics - like predicted customer lifetime value and churn risk - can also be referenced in your natural language prompts, which makes these segments even more powerful when combined with AI.
Yes, segments in Klaviyo apply across channels. A segment you build with the AI tool can be used for email campaigns, SMS sends, or both.
Absolutely. The AI-generated conditions are fully editable. You can adjust operators, change time windows, add or remove conditions, and refine the logic just as you would with a manually built segment.
AI features in Klaviyo are typically available on paid plans, though the specific tier requirements can change as they roll out updates. Check your account or Klaviyo's pricing page for the most current information.
Klaviyo segments update in real time as your data changes. When a customer meets or no longer meets the segment conditions, they'll be added or removed automatically.
At warbble·digital, we work with brands to get serious about their Klaviyo setup, from segmentation strategy to flow architecture and deliverability. If you're not sure whether you're getting the most from your account, get in touch and we'll take a look.
warbble·digital | HubSpot Diamond Partner | Klaviyo Partner | warbble.com