Choose the right list source

Ask two questions first: What input do you already have, and do you need a fixed one-time list or an ongoing stream of new matches?

In short: Choose the source based on your current input and the list behavior you need. Use uploads for existing datasets, discovery sources for new matching companies or people, and recurring sources when Signalist should keep monitoring for new matches.

Before you start

Define the outcome you want from the list, such as importing known contacts, discovering matching companies, or monitoring a recurring signal.
Identify the input you already have: a file, a LinkedIn URL, criteria, data from another system, or an existing tracker.
Check that the source is supported in your workspace. Availability can depend on your plan, role, permissions, and connected accounts.
Confirm who owns the list and who is allowed to use the resulting customer or prospect data.
Start with a small limit so you can review data quality before processing a larger volume.

Choose from your starting point

Use the following guide to select a source family. Names and availability can vary by workspace, so use the current create-list flow as the final reference.

Tip: Do not start by choosing the most powerful source. Start with the smallest source that fits your goal, then increase scope only after the first sample looks correct.

Starting point	Best-fit source family
You already have a file with people, companies, or job titles	Use an upload-based source. Check the required columns and prepare a small test file before importing the complete dataset.
Another system will send records to Signalist	Use a webhook or another supported incoming source, if it is available in your workspace. Confirm the expected fields and authentication before sending customer data.
You want to work from activity on a LinkedIn post, profile, or company page	Use the matching LinkedIn activity source. A connected account or additional permissions may be required.
You want to discover accounts that match defined criteria	Use a lead database or AI Company Search where available. Start with narrow criteria and review a sample before expanding the search.
You want a list to update when a business event occurs	Use an appropriate recurring signal source, such as custom signals, jobs, funding, M&A, re-engagement, or trackers, where available.
You already track companies or people and want to act on new changes	Use the relevant tracker-based workflow where available, and define which changes are relevant before adding records to outreach.

Signalist The verified current source-selection view, including the source families that are relevant to this decision.

Decide between one-time and recurring sources

Choose a one-time source when the input is fixed and you want to process it once. Typical examples include a prepared upload or a defined set of LinkedIn activity. Use this approach when you need a controlled dataset that will not automatically add new matches.

Choose a recurring source when Signalist should continue looking for new matches or changes. Recurring sources can be useful for monitoring jobs, funding, M&A, re-engagement opportunities, custom signals, or tracker activity where those options are available.

Recurring does not mean unrestricted. Define relevance criteria, limits, exclusions, ownership, and a review routine before using new matches in downstream workflows.

Important: Recurring sources can keep adding new records over time. Always set relevance criteria, exclusions, limits, and an owner before connecting the list to outreach or another downstream workflow.

Signalist A verified source card or configuration indicator that clearly distinguishes a one-time source from a recurring source.

Steps

**Write the goal in one sentence. **Describe the result you need, for example: “Import the approved event attendee list once” or “Find new companies that match our criteria every week.”
**Identify your starting input. **Confirm whether you have a file, URL, criteria, external-system payload, or an existing tracker. Do not upload or connect data until you know which fields and permissions are required.
**Open the current create-list flow. **Use the list creation option available in your workspace and review the displayed source families. UI labels can change, so rely on the labels visible in your workspace.
**Choose the smallest source that matches your goal. **Prefer the source that directly accepts your input. Avoid combining several discovery methods before you have validated the first result set.
**Check prerequisites before you continue. **Confirm connected accounts, permissions, supported file structure or URL type, and any workspace-specific feature availability.
**Set a small initial limit. **Use a conservative test size that allows you to inspect the results without consuming unnecessary credits or creating a large cleanup task.
**Add exclusions and assign an owner. **Exclude records that should not be processed and identify who will review the list, especially when the source refreshes automatically.
**Review a sample before using the list for outreach. **Check relevance, duplicates, contact quality, and whether the source produced the expected people or companies. Correct the configuration before increasing the limit.

Signalist The verified configuration area for the chosen source, with the prerequisite and initial-limit controls visible.

Safety checks before you continue

The sample matches the audience and outcome you defined.
The source is configured as one-time or recurring as intended.
Required connected accounts and permissions belong to the correct workspace and user.
Limits and exclusions prevent unnecessary processing or outreach.
A named owner will review new records, especially for recurring sources.
You have inspected a small sample for relevance, duplicates, and data quality.

A short sample review is usually faster and safer than cleaning up a large, unsuitable list after it has entered another workflow.

Ready to continue? Proceed only when the sample matches your target audience, the source type is correct, required permissions are available, and someone is responsible for reviewing the list.

Signalist The verified review or sample-check stage before a list is used in outreach or another downstream workflow.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
You cannot find the expected source or tracker	Confirm that you are in the correct workspace and that the feature is enabled for your plan or role. Ask a workspace administrator if you are unsure.
A source is visible but unavailable or disabled	Check prerequisites such as connected accounts, permissions, supported input, or required configuration. Do not work around a disabled control with customer data.
A recurring source returns too many irrelevant matches	Narrow the criteria, add exclusions, reduce the initial limit, and review a new sample before continuing.
Signalist asks for an account or permission you do not have	Stop the setup and ask the appropriate workspace owner or administrator to grant the required access. Never share credentials or API keys in a list description.
You are unsure whether to use discovery or upload	Use upload when you already have a defined dataset. Use discovery when Signalist needs to find matching companies or people from criteria you provide.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use a discovery source if I already have a file?

Usually not. If your file already contains the people, companies, or job titles you want to process, start with the appropriate upload source. Use discovery only when you need Signalist to find additional matches from criteria.

What is the difference between a one-time and recurring source?

A one-time source processes a defined input once. A recurring source continues checking for new matches or changes according to its configuration. Availability and refresh behaviour can vary by source and workspace.

Why can’t I see a source in my workspace?

The source may depend on your plan, role, permissions, connected accounts, or workspace configuration. Check the current create-list view and ask a workspace administrator if the option is missing.

Do LinkedIn activity sources require a connected account?

Some LinkedIn-based workflows can require a connected account and appropriate permissions. Follow the prerequisite shown in your workspace and do not use another person’s credentials.

What limit should I use for a new source?

Use a small test limit that is large enough to judge relevance but small enough to review manually. Increase it only after the sample meets your quality and safety checks.

What should I check before using a new list?

Review relevance, duplicates, contact quality, ownership, exclusions, permissions, and whether the source is one-time or recurring as intended. Complete this check before sending messages or passing the data to another system.

Keep reading

Use LinkedIn list sources safely

LinkedIn activity can help you build timely lists from profile visits, followers, events, posts, engagement, or prepared LinkedIn URLs. Use the source that matches the specific signal, then qualify the people before you treat them as outreach candidates.

Using AI Company Search and News Monitoring

Use AI Company Search to describe target companies in natural language, and use news or signal monitoring to watch for specific events. Both work best when your prompt is verifiable, your exclusions are explicit, and each result has a defined review or follow up action.

Upload people, companies, and job titles via XLSX

Use an XLSX upload when you already have a defined set of people, companies, or job titles. A clean file and a careful preview help Signalist match the right records and reduce avoidable duplicates, credit use, and manual correction.