---
title: "System User Roles and Types"
slug: "system-user-roles-and-types"
updated: 2025-07-31T11:25:19Z
published: 2025-07-31T11:25:19Z
---

> ## 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.

# System User Roles and Types

Every user account in Mapp Engage is assigned a **system role** and a **system user type**. These settings control what the user can do and how they interact with the system.

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## What Is a System User?

A system user is a person who logs in to the Mapp Engage user interface to perform tasks within the system. To improve overall security, it is recommended to create a separate account for each person.

Each system user logs in with their email address as username. This address is also used to send system notifications, such as download links and status messages.

Users must set a password that meets defined security requirements. For details, see [*Passwords in Mapp Engage*](/v1/docs/passwords-in-mapp-engage).

---

## System Roles

System roles define the permissions a user has throughout the Mapp Engage system.

Each system role is assigned an **index level** from 0 to 3:

- **3**: Most permissions
- **0**: Fewest permissions

> [!NOTE]
> Note
> 
> You can only view, assign, or edit roles with the same or lower index than your own role.

System roles control:

- Access to system-wide features
- Visibility of system-level data
- Group-related permissions (if configured as overrides)

---

## Default System Roles

| **Role** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| **Project Manager** | Full access to all system features. Intended for internal Mapp personnel. |
| **Client Administrator** | Broad access to administrative features and user profile data. |
| **Marketing Manager** | Full access to all data sets owned by the user. Can edit, delete, or create data. |
| **Custom Role** | Up to eight custom roles can be defined and tailored as needed. By default, they have limited permissions. |
| **None** | Access to Engage without Messaging features. Suitable for Social-only users. |

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## Permission Assignment

Permissions can be granted:

- **Globally**, through the system role
- **Group-wide**, via override settings (see *Group Override* tab)

This allows flexible permission models based on organizational needs.

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## System User Types

System user types define how the user interacts with Mapp Engage:

| **Type** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| **UI User** | Logs in to the Mapp Engage interface and performs tasks manually. |
| **API User** | Connects to Mapp Engage via API (no interface login). Used for automated integrations. |
| **Hybrid User** | Combines both interface login and API access. Useful for advanced users or integrations. |

---

## Linked Contact Profiles for Testing

When creating a system user, you can optionally create a **linked contact profile** using the same email address.

This contact profile can be used for:

- Personalization testing
- Sending preview messages

Any changes to the system user’s email or password are automatically synced to the linked contact.

For details, see [*Sending a Test Message to Test Recipients*](/v1/docs/send-test-message-to-test-recipients).