Knowledge BaseEmail Flow Detection
16 Flow Types Detected Automatically

We Automatically Reverse-Engineer Every Email Automation Flow

Competitor Inbox doesn't just capture emails — it assembles them into flows. From welcome series to cart abandonment to win-back campaigns, our detection engine clusters emails using 6 weighted signals and classifies them into 16 named flow types. Fully automatic. Zero tagging required.

Why flows are more valuable than individual emails

A single email tells you what a competitor sent. A flow tells you why they sent it, what triggered it, and what comes next. Understanding a competitor's automation strategy — not just their broadcasts — is where the real intelligence lives.

Spot full automation strategy

See exactly which lifecycle moments your competitors address — onboarding, recovery, loyalty — and which they're leaving on the table.

Benchmark sequence length & timing

Compare how many emails competitors send in each flow type and the timing gaps they use. Refine your own sequences with real market data.

Identify campaign triggers

Know exactly what URL patterns, UTM campaigns, and behavioral signals competitors use to route subscribers into specific automations.

Detect flow refreshes in real time

Get alerted when a competitor adds a new step to an existing flow, launches a new automation type, or overhauls their welcome series.

6 signals power the detection engine

Every candidate email cluster is scored across six independent evidence dimensions. Signals are weighted and summed — reaching a confidence threshold triggers flow classification.

Subject Line Similarity

High

Emails in the same sequence share consistent linguistic patterns, sender names, and topic framing. We score cosine similarity across subject lines within a candidate cluster — high similarity is a strong sequence signal.

Template / Design Hash

High

Automated sequences almost always share the same email template. We compute a structural design hash from each email's layout and compare it across the cluster — a matching hash fingerprint is a reliable automation indicator.

Send Timing Pattern

Medium-High

Triggered sequences fire at predictable intervals from a user action (e.g. T+0h, T+24h, T+72h). We measure the median inter-email gap and its variance — low variance, regular cadence = strong automation signal.

CTA Trigger URLs

High

URL patterns like /cart, /checkout, /verify, /activate, and UTM parameters like utm_campaign=cart or utm_campaign=onboard are deterministic signals of automation. Each pattern carries a weighted score.

UTM Parameter Continuity

Medium

Emails in the same flow almost always share a utm_campaign or utm_medium value (e.g. utm_campaign=welcome-series-2024). UTM consistency across cluster members strongly suggests coordinated automation.

Keyword & Behavioral Phrases

Medium

Subject lines and body text are scanned for known flow-type keyword patterns ("cart is waiting"), behavioral follow-up phrases ("last chance", "final reminder", "just following up"), and "Part X of Y" series markers.

How clusters are built

Before scoring, the engine groups incoming emails into candidate clusters using subject-line similarity and sender domain. Once a cluster reaches a minimum size (typically 3+ emails), it's scored across all six signals. A total score above the confidence threshold triggers a named flow classification. Flows are continuously monitored — as new emails arrive, existing flows are updated, steps are appended, and reclassification happens automatically if the evidence shifts.

Active — receiving new emails Stale — 30–90 days quiet Dormant — 90+ days inactive

16 named flow types

Every detected flow is classified into one of these named types — giving you an instant, structured view of a competitor's full automation strategy.

Welcome Series

Onboarding sequences triggered by signup or account creation. Usually 3–7 emails introducing the product, community, or brand.

"welcome""getting started""you're in""glad you joined"+2 more
Cart Recovery

Automated reminders sent when a shopper adds items but doesn't complete checkout. Often 2–4 emails with escalating urgency.

"left in your cart""cart is waiting""complete your order""don't forget your cart"
Browse Recovery

Triggered when a visitor views a product page without adding to cart. Less urgent than cart flows, often with social proof.

"still thinking""you viewed""recently viewed""still interested"+1 more
Post-Purchase

Order confirmations, shipping updates, review requests, and cross-sell sequences sent after a completed transaction.

"thank you for your order""order confirmed""leave a review""rate your"
Replenishment

Timed reminders sent when consumable products are expected to run out, nudging a repeat purchase before the shopper runs dry.

"time to reorder""running low""running out""refill"+1 more
Win-Back

Re-engagement sequences targeting lapsed subscribers or customers who haven't opened, clicked, or purchased in 60–180+ days.

"we miss you""it's been a while""come back""long time"
Trial Expiry

Urgency-driven emails sent in the final days of a free trial, highlighting value and pushing toward a paid conversion.

"trial ending""trial expires""last days of your trial""upgrade before"
Account Activation

Sequences designed to get newly registered users to complete a critical action — confirm email, connect an integration, invite a team member.

"activate your account""verify your email""complete your registration""finish setting up"
Subscription Confirm

Double-opt-in and newsletter confirmation sequences verifying subscriber intent and setting expectations for future content.

"you're subscribed""subscription confirmed""confirm your subscription"
Webinar Sequence

Pre-event registration confirmations, reminder ladders, and post-webinar replay sequences tied to live training or demos.

"webinar""live training""online workshop""save your seat"+1 more
Lead Nurture

Content-driven sequences triggered by downloading a guide, eBook, or tool — designed to warm prospects toward a sales conversation.

"download""free guide""your ebook""access your"+2 more
Flash Sale

High-urgency promotional sequences with hard deadlines. Typically 2–4 emails compressed into 24–72 hours.

"flash sale""ends tonight""hours left""today only"+1 more
Launch Sequence

Pre-launch anticipation, announcement, and post-launch follow-up emails for new products, features, or collections.

"is here""introducing""now available""just launched"+1 more
Upsell / Cross-sell

Personalized recommendations and upgrade prompts based on purchase history or current plan — often AI-personalized.

"upgrade""unlock more""goes great with""you might also like"+1 more
Loyalty / VIP

Exclusive rewards, early access, and milestone emails for high-value customers or loyalty program members.

"vip""exclusive member""loyalty""you've earned"+2 more
Survey / Feedback

Post-experience feedback requests, NPS surveys, and product review solicitations — usually single-email or two-email flows.

"quick survey""your opinion""take our survey""rate us"+1 more

What you see in your dashboard

Every detected flow surfaces in your competitor's profile with a complete breakdown.

Detected Flows — Shopify

Welcome SeriesActive
6 emails·94% confidence
Cart RecoveryActive
4 emails·91% confidence
Win-BackStale
3 emails·82% confidence
Post-PurchaseActive
5 emails·88% confidence
Trial ExpiryActive
4 emails·79% confidence
Browse RecoveryDormant
2 emails·67% confidence
6 flows detected · 24 emails classifiedUpdated 2 hours ago

See your competitors' full automation strategy

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