---
title: "Message Limitation"
slug: "message-limitation"
updated: 2026-07-29T15:29:58Z
published: 2026-07-29T15:29:58Z
canonical: "docs.mapp.com/message-limitation"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message Limitation

## Goal

Configure message limitation so contacts are not sent too many messages within a defined time frame. Setup has three parts: create a system-wide limit, enable limitation for the groups it should apply to, and optionally set a limit for an individual contact. For the concept and how the rules interact, see [Message Limitation](/v1/docs/message-limitation).

---

## Create a System-Wide Limit

Define how many messages a contact can receive across all groups within a time frame.

1. Go to *Messages > Limitations*.
2. Click **Create new Limitation**.
3. From **Maximum Number of Messages**, choose the number of messages.
4. From **Time Range in Days**, choose the time range.
5. Click **Save & close**.

The new message limitation has been created. You can create multiple limitations, and the strictest limit always applies.

---

## Enable Limitation for a Group

System-wide and contact-specific limits apply only in groups where message limitation is enabled.

1. Go to *Audience > Group Management > Groups*.
2. Open the group you want to edit.
3. Click the **Sendout Options** tab.
4. In the **Message Limitation** area, select **Consider Message Limitations**. ![Sendout options for message limitations and email settings in a user interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/554b9b98-6720-4d8b-9919-c7b203d72648/Images/Documentation/limitation.png)
5. Click **Save**.

---

## Set a Limit for a Single Contact

Define a limit for an individual contact in the XML import file. Once the limit is reached, Mapp Engage stops sending to that contact and resumes automatically when the time period is over.

1. Create an XML import file.
2. Use the following format to define the limit. Example:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<userdata xmlns="http://webservices.ecircle-ag.com/ecm">
  <user>
    <email>Jane.Miller@email.com</email>
    <maxmessages number="2" period="7"/>
  </user>
</userdata>
```

#### Attributes

`maxmessages`: Limits the number of messages that can be sent to one recipient.

- `number`: Maximum number of messages allowed during the defined time period (1–99).
- `period`: Time frame in days (1–31) during which the limit applies.

## Related

- [Limitations: Overview](/message-limitation-window.md)