> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.smile.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Mailchimp integration setup

> Setup instructions for installing and configuring the Smile and Mailchimp integration.

## Install the Mailchimp integration

To install and configure the Smile and Mailchimp integration:

1. In **Smile Admin**, install the [Mailchimp integration](https://app.smile.io/integrations/mailchimp).
2. Follow the instructions to connect the integration to your Mailchimp account.
3. Once connected, on the Mailchimp integration [settings page](https://app.smile.io/integrations/mailchimp), select the list you would like to sync your loyalty program information to, and click **Sync list**.

<Note>
  **Note:** The first data sync can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours, and only needs to happen once. The exact duration will depend on the number of customers in  your Smile account.
</Note>

## Data syncing

Here's what to expect with how data is synced from Smile to Mailchimp:

* Customers in Smile are matched to Mailchimp contacts by email address, and synced to the list you selected.
* If a customer already exists in Mailchimp with the same email address, their data will be updated with the latest information from Smile.
* If a customer does not exist in Mailchimp with the same email address, a new contact will be created with the information from Smile.

## Merge fields

Once installed and connected, Smile will sync the following merge fields.

| Merge field name       | Merge tag    | Data type | Description                                                                                     |
| ---------------------- | ------------ | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Smile Points Balance` | `SM_POINTS`  | Number    | The customer's current points balance.                                                          |
| `Smile Referral URL`   | `SM_REF_URL` | String    | The customer's unique referral URL. Used to share with friends as part of the referral program. |
| `Smile VIP Tier ID`    | `SM_TIER_ID` | Number    | The ID of the customer's current VIP tier.                                                      |
| `Smile VIP Tier Name`  | `SM_TIER`    | String    | The name of the customer's current VIP tier.                                                    |
| `Smile State`          | `SM_STATE`   | String    | The customer's state (`member`, `candidate`, or `disabled`).                                    |

You can use these properties in your Mailchimp workflows to segment your audience for targetted email sending.