Understand and choose sources

Choose how leads enter Airlead and configure mapping, authentication, testing, and duplicate protection.

Understand and choose sources

A source tells Airlead where incoming data comes from, how to interpret it, and which rules to apply before it enters a channel or list.

Choose a source type

Source	Best for	Consider
Webhook	Recurring, structured system-to-system traffic without Make or Zapier	Requires field mapping, authentication, and retry handling
CSV / upload link	One-off imports or partners who exchange files	See CSV / upload
Email	Supported lead emails from systems without webhooks	See Email capture
Connect	Receiving from another Airlead workspace	Requires an endpoint, partnership, terms, and mapping
Manual	Testing or low-volume operator entry	Not suitable for repeatable high-volume supply

What a source controls

Depending on its type and configuration, a source can control:

• target channel or list
• product and field mapping
• required contact fields
• consent and capture metadata
• geographic and time restrictions
• volume caps
• duplicate matching and warn/reject behavior
• test or live operation
• webhook authentication

Connect source via webhook

For API sources, Airlead includes a guided Technik setup:

1. Verbinden — copy the test URL and optional secret
2. Sample — receive partner JSON
3. Zuordnen — map fields, including automatic mapping
4. Live — publish and switch to production

This is the path that lets a website or CRM send leads into Airlead without Make or Zapier.

Follow the full walkthrough: Connect source via webhook.

Map incoming fields

A webhook mapping translates partner field names into Airlead data.

customer.email       → person.email
request.postcode     → person.postalCode
answers.roof_type    → interest.fieldValues.roof_type

Until a mapping is published, an API source expects Airlead’s native ingest schema.

Test before live traffic

Use test mode while validating mappings and rules. A complete test should verify:

• person fields
• interest product and values
• consent information
• external ID
• duplicate behavior
• expected source and channel placement
• no unintended delivery

Protect webhook sources

If a source secret is configured, requests must use either:

X-Airlead-Webhook-Secret: <secret>

or:

Authorization: Bearer <secret>

If no source secret is configured, the webhook accepts requests without that credential. Always configure one for production.

Prevent duplicates

Use both:

• a stable externalId for idempotent retries
• source duplicate rules for matching by email or phone

See Prevent duplicate leads before importing production data.

Common questions

Should I use CSV or a webhook?

Use CSV for controlled files and initial migration. Use a webhook when another system sends leads continuously and can provide stable identifiers and structured data.

Why did the source accept data but no buyer received it?

Ingest and delivery are separate. First verify the person and interest, then check routing readiness and buyer eligibility in the channel.

Why are mapped values missing?

The partner payload may have changed, the published mapping may point to a different path, or the product field may not exist. Compare a current sample with the mapping preview.

Next: Connect source via webhook · Prevent duplicates · Troubleshoot a delivery