How to connect Subi to Klaviyo for email marketing, SMS automation, and subscription segmentation

This guide explains how to integrate Subi with Klaviyo so you can:

Sync subscriber data
Trigger automated flows
Build subscription-based segments
Send targeted Email and SMS campaigns
Use subscription events inside Klaviyo

🔐 Required API Permission (Important)

To sync subscribers from Subi to Klaviyo, your Private API Key must include the profiles:write permission.

Without this permission, Subi cannot create or update contacts in Klaviyo.

Why `profiles:write` Is Required

Subi uses Klaviyo’s API to:

Create customer profiles
Update subscriber data
Trigger subscription-based flows
Sync subscription tags and properties

If your API key does NOT include profiles:write:

New subscribers will not appear in Klaviyo
Automated flows will not trigger
Segments will remain empty
The integration may show as connected but not sync data
You may see this error:

Your API key is missing required scopes: profiles:write

How to Create the Correct Klaviyo API Key

Go to:

Klaviyo → Account → Settings → API Keys

You have two options:

Option 1: Full Access Private API Key (Simplest)

Click Create Private API Key
Select Full Access
Name it (example: “Subi Integration”)
Click Create
Copy the key
Reconnect Klaviyo inside Subi using this key

Option 2: Custom API Key (Recommended for Limited Access)

Click Create Private API Key
Select Custom Key
Under Profiles, set permission to Full Access
Save the key
Copy it
Reconnect it inside Subi

⚠️ The key MUST include profiles:write.

How Klaviyo Works (Campaigns vs. Flows)

Klaviyo has two main messaging types:

Campaigns

Sent manually
One-time messages
Sent to a predefined list or segment

Examples:

Monthly newsletter
Flash sale SMS
Product announcement

Flows

Automated
Triggered by behavior
Run every time a condition is met

Examples:

Subscription welcome email
Renewal reminder
Cancellation win-back flow

How Subi Sends Subscription Data to Klaviyo

There are two supported methods.

Method 1: Using Subi Tag Management (Recommended)

This is the easiest and most reliable method.

Go to:

Subi → Settings → Tag Management

Subi automatically applies Shopify tags to customers and subscription orders.

Available Customer Tags

Subi Subscriber
Has Active Subscription
Has Paused Subscription
Has Canceled Subscription

Available Order Tags

Subi Subscription
First Subscription Order
Recurring Order #1
Recurring Order #2
(and so on)

⚠️ Important: Tags only apply to NEW customers or orders created after enabling Tag Management. Existing records will not update automatically.

How to Create a Subscription Flow in Klaviyo (Using Tags)

Example: Send an email after a subscription order.

Step 1: Create Flow

Go to Flows
Click Create Flow
Select trigger: Placed Order

Step 2: Add Delay (Important)

Add a Time Delay step before filtering.

This gives Subi time to apply Shopify tags.

Without a delay, the flow may fail.

Step 3: Add Trigger Filter

Set:

Shopify Tags → contains → Subi Subscriber

Or use:

Has an active subscription
First Subscription Order
Subi Subscription

Step 4: Add Email or SMS

Add message
Customize content
Turn the flow live
Test with a real subscription

Method 2: Send Subscription Data as a Custom Event (Advanced)

This method uses Shopify Flow to send subscription events directly to Klaviyo.

Use this method if you prefer event-based automation instead of tag-based filtering.

Setup Instructions

Install Klaviyo and connect it to Shopify
Download the Subi Shopify Flow template
Import it into Shopify Flow
Open the workflow
Click Track an Event
Enter your Klaviyo Public API Key
Find it at:
Klaviyo → Account → Settings → API Keys
Confirm event name
(Default: subscription contract is created)
Turn the workflow ON
Create a test subscription

You can now use this event as a flow trigger in Klaviyo.

How to Create Subscriber Segments in Klaviyo

Subi tags allow you to create powerful subscription-based segments.

Step 1: Create Segment

Go to Lists & Segments
Click Create Segment
Use this condition:

Properties about someone → Shopify tags → contains → [Subi Tag]

Click Create Segment

Segment Examples

All Subscribers

Contains → Subi Subscriber

Active Subscribers Only

Contains → Has Active Subscription

Active But Not Paused

Contains → Has Active Subscription AND Does not contain → Has Paused Subscription

Paused Subscribers

Contains → Has Paused Subscription

Canceled Subscribers

Contains → Has Canceled Subscription

How to Send a Campaign to Subscribers

Go to Campaigns
Choose your Subi-based segment
Create Email or SMS
Schedule or send immediately

Best Practices for Reliable Sync

To avoid integration issues:

✅ Always confirm your API key includes profiles:write
✅ Add a time delay before filtering by Shopify tags in flows
✅ Test with a real subscription before going live
✅ Separate segments for Active, Paused, and Canceled subscribers
✅ Combine subscription tags with purchase behavior for advanced targeting
✅ Reconnect the integration after updating API keys

Troubleshooting Klaviyo x Subi Integration

Problem: Subscribers Are Not Appearing in Klaviyo

Check:

Does your Private API Key include profiles:write?
Did you reconnect Subi after creating the new key?
Are you testing with a new subscription (not old data)?

Problem: Flow Is Not Triggering