How to Make Zap Webhook Trigger Requests Unique with Timestamp Values to Avoid Data Deduplication

Contribution by Troy Tessalone

Troy is a Certified Zapier Expert who puts Programmable Productivity to work for YOU!

SCENARIO

If you want to send the same data to run a Zap that uses a Webhook Catch Hook trigger, then you need to make the data request unique by adding a timestamp value.

(more info below about system generated timestamps)

DATA DEDUPLICATION

Info: https://help.zapier.com/hc/en-us/articles/8496260269965-Data-deduplication-in-Zaps

Deduplication is the process Zaps use to ensure your Zap only triggers for new information, avoiding duplicates.

Duplicate information is managed differently in Zap triggers and actions.

The deduplication system only checks within the same Zap.

WEBHOOKS

Help: https://zapier.com/apps/webhook/help

Webhooks are notifications of events that happen in an app and include a payload of data about the event.

HTTP REST request methods supported to fire a Zap that uses a webhook trigger: GET, POST, PUT

The examples below use the POST method.

Zap Trigger: Webhook - Catch Hook

This will generate a unique webhook URL to configure in the origin/source app that is sending the event notification.

TIMESTAMPS

System Generated Timestamps: https://help.zapier.com/hc/en-us/articles/8496275717261

Add a timestamp in your timezone

Enter the following command in your action step:

{{zap_meta_human_now}}

When your Zap runs, it will insert the date and time in the following format:

MM/DD/YY hh:mmAM/PM

Example

01/15/21 06:05PM

Note

• This command will display the current date and time based on the timezone in your Zap settings.
• If you have no timezone selected in your Zap, it will use the timezone set in your Zapier profile settings.
• If you have no timezone selected in your Zap or your Zapier profile settings, it will use UTC.

EXAMPLES

NOTE: TS stands for timestamp.

CONFIG

Method: POST

Query String Parameter

How to add a dynamic timestamp variable as a query string parameter on a POST request.

Body Data Parameter

How to add a dynamic timestamp variable as a body data parameter on a POST request.

RESULTS

How the timestamp value comes thru on the Zap webhook trigger data payload.

• Top TS is for the Body Data Parameter approach.
• Bottom TS is for the Query String Parameter approach.