topic Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged? in DemandTools

What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

NA — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:51:28 GMT

Hi, I am trying to understand what happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

For example, if the loser contact record has a USER record associated with it, is the USER record now assigned to the winner record?

And in that vein, If both the winner contact and the loser contact have USER records - how is that handled?

Thanks

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

Pugs_Validity — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:53:19 GMT

Hey @NA - Could you clarify which user records specifically you are referring to? The owner of the records or more the user associated with contact, such as a Portal User?

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

NA — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:59:59 GMT

Hi, I'm asking on the second that is "the user associated with contact, such as a Portal User". Thanks

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

Pugs_Validity — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:30:55 GMT

@NA - The user is not carried over when merging from the losing record. We've found most people will avoid merging portal users for this reason. The alternative would be to export your results and transfer it independently beforehand. DemandTools does have setting to help you easily identify them as well. Let me know if we can offer any further assistance.

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

NA — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 22:42:02 GMT

Thanks. I understand. I don't think we would go that export route. I have already set-up a custom winner rule that priortizes Potal Users. The follow-up question What does Demand tools do if both records are portal users? Which record would it choose for the winner and loser?

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

Pugs_Validity — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 20:42:03 GMT

@NA - The winner. The merging of the loser record would break it's portal user relationship.

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

NA — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 20:47:05 GMT

Sorry but maybe the question was not clear.

I have two records (duplicates) that BOTH are portal users.

I have a winner rule as described in this forum to other users, that prioritizes a portal user over a non-portal user.

But what does Demand Tools do when both records are portal users. How does DT decide which record should be the winner. They both are portal users.

Thanks

Re: What happens to the contact's USER record(s) when a contact is merged?

Pugs_Validity — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:36:16 GMT

@NA - Ah, apologies. If they tie, it will come down to whether or not you have a Score Delta on the Winner Rule. With no Score Delta, DemandTools will select one of the tying records at random. If you turn the Score Delta on, it will not select among the tying records and you'll need to manually review it to decide.