Connect Mailchimp to CleanSmart
Connect Mailchimp to CleanSmart and pull your contact lists in for cleaning. This guide walks through linking the two accounts and running your first import.
What You'll Need
- A Mailchimp account with admin access
- A Mailchimp API key
- A CleanSmart account with integration permissions
- About 5 to 10 minutes
Step 1: Open the Mailchimp Integration
From your CleanSmart dashboard, click Mailchimp Connect. The connection window opens, ready for your API key.

Step 2: Enter Your API Key
Don't have your API key handy? Click the information icon for instructions on finding it. Paste the key into the field and click Connect.

Step 3: Confirm the Connection
After clicking Connect, the integration status flips to "Connected." That's your green light that Mailchimp and CleanSmart are talking to each other.

Step 4: Map and Import Your Contacts
Click the dropdown arrow to expand the Mailchimp section, then click Map Data to import your list. A success notification confirms your contacts are in.

Step 5: Remove the Data Source if You Need To
Need to disconnect a list? Click the close icon next to the imported source. That removes the Mailchimp CSV data source from CleanSmart.

Tips and Best Practices
- Rotate your Mailchimp API key periodically. It's a small habit that pays off.
- Confirm your field mappings before running a clean. Mismatched fields lead to mismatched results.
- Run a clean right after import. AutoFormat catches the bounce-causing typos and weird capitalizations before your next send.
Troubleshooting
I can't find my Mailchimp API key
Make sure you're signed in with the right permissions. The key lives under Account > Extras > API keys in Mailchimp.
The connection failed
Check the API key for typos. Re-enter and try again. If it still won't connect, confirm your network is stable and that the key has the right permissions in Mailchimp.
Summary
Mailchimp is connected and your contacts are in CleanSmart. From here, run a clean to deduplicate, standardize formats, fill gaps, and flag anomalies, all in one pass.

