Who can deactivate panelists?
As part of site maintenance, Analysts can bulk deactivate panelists to manage active panelist counts, either to enforce panelist access limits, or adhere to Site Limits.
Account Impacts
Login Access: Deactivated panelists cannot log into the Recollective site
Site Limits: Deactivated panelists do not count toward your active Panelist Site Limit
Data Retention: Response data associated with deactivated accounts is fully preserved
Reactivation: Deactivated accounts can be reactivated at a later time for future research engagements
Step 1: Create a Smart Segment for Deactivation
Navigation: Go to Site Administration > Panelists > Segments.
Click New Segment and select Smart Segment
Enter a unique, recognizable title in the Segment Name field (e.g., Panelists to Deactivate)
Under Smart Segment Criteria, choose the criteria used to filter panelists for deactivation (e.g., 'Last Visit' before January 1, 2023, or 'Account Added' more than 100 days ago)
Ensure Match All criteria is selected
(Optional): Click Test Filter to preview which panelists match your criteria.
Click Save to create the Smart Segment
Step 2: Process the Bulk Deactivation
Select one of the following two options to execute the bulk deactivation:
Option 1: Bulk Action: Best suited for smaller batches of panelists (processed per page view of up to 25 panelists)
Option 2: Bulk Update: Best suited for larger batches of panelists via file export and re-import
Option 1: Deactivate via Bulk Action (Small Batches)
Navigation: Go to Site Administration > Panelists > Segments
Locate the Smart Segment created in Step 1 (e.g., Panelists to Deactivate)
On the far right-hand side of the segment row, click the Panelists total
Select the Select All checkbox to highlight all panelists on the current page
Scroll down to the Bulk Action drop-down menu and select Deactivate
Click Apply
Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each page of panelists as required
Option 2: Deactivate via Bulk Update (Large Batches)
Phase 1: Export Panelist Data
Navigation: Go to Site Administration > Panelists > Segments
Locate the Smart Segment created in Step 1 (e.g., Panelists to Deactivate)
On the far right-hand side of the segment row, click the Panelists total
Click Export
Using the Standard Attributes drop-down list, ensure at least one unique identifier column (Email Address or External ID) and the Account Status column are selected
Click Export, then click Download Export
Phase 2: Edit Spreadsheet
Open the downloaded file in a spreadsheet application such as Excel
Delete the first header row labeled Profile so that the column headers (i.e Email Address, First Name, Last Name, etc…)form the first row of the spreadsheet
Locate the Account Status column and update the value to 0 for all panelists you wish to deactivate (Note: 0 represents the Inactive status code).
Save the file
Phase 3: Import Updated Spreadsheet
Navigation: Go to Site Administration > Panelists > Bulk Import
Drag and drop or click Select File to upload the prepared Excel spreadsheet
Review and verify column data
Click Continue to verify data
A set of “Import Settings” will appear, click Start Import to conduct the Bulk Import
Once the Bulk Import has successfully been conducted the platform will automatically deactivate all panelist accounts included in the imported file.
How to Reactivate Deactivated Panelists
If you need to restore access for previously deactivated panelists, follow these steps:
Navigation: Go to Site Administration > Search Panelists
Toggle the Only deactivated filter to display inactive accounts
Select the checkboxes next to the panelists you wish to reactivate
Select Reactivate from the Bulk Action drop-down menu
Click Apply to restore the selected panelist accounts
Still have questions?
If you have questions or feedback about this article, contact the Recollective Helpdesk at [email protected].