--- title: "Journey Action: Update User Attribute" slug: "journey-action-update-user-attribute" description: "Update User Attribute is an action element type that enables you to take actions on users." tags: ["architect action", "update user attribute"] updated: 2026-05-10T20:30:39Z published: 2026-05-10T20:30:39Z canonical: "academy.insiderone.com/journey-action-update-user-attribute" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://academy.insiderone.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Journey Action: Update User Attribute Update User Attribute is an action element type that lets you perform actions on users. It assigns a predefined value to the selected attribute for each user who comes to this element in the journey. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/d8c4c8fc-1d90-4cd3-916f-36ff6cc6a498.png) your title goes here**An attribute** is a status or property that a user can have. In other words, it refers to their detailed information that can help you understand user personas, introduce high-level segmentation, and personalize your messaging. Some attribute examples are birthday, age, last purchase amount, channel opt-ins, first name, last browsed product name, etc. Read more on [default events and attributes](https://academy.useinsider.com/docs/default-events-attributes). This guide explains the following concepts: - [Use cases](/docs/update-user-attribute#use-cases) - [Requirements](/docs/update-user-attribute#requirements) - [Use Update User Attribute](/docs/update-user-attribute#use-update-user-attribute) - [Analytics](/docs/update-user-attribute#analytics) You can use this action element to update a user's existing default or custom attributes, except for opt-in attributes, which can be updated only when the user updates them. When a user reaches the **Update User Attribute** element in the journey, it updates the value of the specified attribute in the database. If this attribute does not have a value, it gets the predefined value. ![Update user attribute](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/image-20260214-141255.png) Your title goes hereThe Update User Attribute element cannot be used to modify opt-in and subscription-related user attributes. This restriction ensures the security of sensitive information and upholds user privacy, as changes to these attributes should only be made with explicit user consent. ## Use cases - You can assign values based on users' preferences and past behaviors. For example, if a user watched “horror” movies more than three times in the last 2 months, you can update this user’s movie genre preference as “horror”. In this case, **genre** is an attribute, and **horror** is the attribute value. - You can score users based on actions such as clicking an email, visiting a product page, adding items to the cart, or making a purchase. You can use these scores as campaign or journey segments. - You can assign attribute values to users who have not purchased before and share this data with your call center via Call an API to take action on your end. ## Requirements You should have the required attribute created for your account. If you want to create an attribute, contact the Insider One team for further information. ## Use Update User Attribute Once you complete the requirements for this action element, you can use it in your journeys following these steps: 1. Click the **+** **(plus)** button on the canvas and select **Action** > **Update** **User** **Attribute.** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/image-20260214-141636.png) 2. Click the Update User Attribute element to start editing it. 3. Select the attribute that you want to update in the dropdown. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/image-20260214-141343.png) 4. Select an action operator: setting to, increasing by, or decreasing by. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/image-20260214-141504.png) your title goes hereAn attribute can have four different data types: string (e.g., first name), number (e.g., age), boolean (e.g., cart abandoned: true), and datetime (e.g., birthday). **Only the number** type can have the **increasing** **by** or **decreasing** **by** actions. If the selected user attribute has not been initialized yet, its initial value will be 0, then it will increase or decrease by the value that you set. 5. Enter a value for the attribute. your title goes hereNumber type can take only numeric values. The datetime type can take only date values. 6. If you enabled response variables in a previous Call an API element, the “User Call an API Response” option becomes available in the Update User Attribute element. When you select this option, you can map API response variables to user attributes. For further details, refer to [Fetch Data through Call an API](/docs/architect-channel-fetch-data-through-call-an-api). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/image-20260214-140331.png) 7. Save the element to save your changes. your title goes hereYou should not update the value of a new attribute on your website, mobile app, or any other platform if you use the Update User Attribute element. ## Analytics After you launch your journey, you can see **Arrived** and **Processed** figures on the Update User Attribute element on the canvas. For further details, refer to [Live Statistics.](https://academy.insiderone.com/docs/journey-live-stats) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/c6df4583-da94-4cb2-bb8a-be0cbdd11109/Images/Documentation/f5f5a0ac-fdb3-4c65-81f2-a9791bf12cd4.png) ## Related - [Journey Action: Update Static Segment](/architect-update-static-segment.md)