> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.feedotter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.feedotter.com/automations/features/last-sent-date.md).

# Last Sent Date

The **Last Sent Date** determines the cutoff Feedotter uses when evaluating new content for an automation.

When Feedotter checks your content source, it compares each article's published date against the automation's Last Sent Date to determine whether the content should be considered new.

### Why the Last Sent Date Matters

The Last Sent Date affects:

* Which articles qualify as new content
* The behavior of the Published Date Filter
* Automations configured to require new content before sending

In most cases, Feedotter automatically updates this value after each successful send.

### Modify the Last Sent Date

You can manually update the Last Sent Date at any time from your automation settings.

To update the Last Sent Date:

1. Open the automation.
2. Navigate to the automation settings in the lower left panel.
3. Locate the **Modify Last Sent Date** section.
4. Select the desired date and time.
5. Click **Update Campaign**.

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/Sa2DVgtx5dMizNZic8i0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Common Use Cases

#### Restarting an Automation

If an automation has been paused or disabled for a period of time, you may want to adjust the Last Sent Date before reactivating it.

When the automation resumes, Feedotter will use the updated Last Sent Date as the starting point for determining new content.

#### After Using Send Now

After generating an email with **Send Now**, you may choose to update the Last Sent Date before returning the automation to its normal schedule.

This allows you to control which content qualifies as new when the next scheduled run occurs.

### Related Articles

To learn more about how Feedotter determines content eligibility, see:

* [How Feedotter Detects New Content](/automations/scheduling/how-feedotter-detects-new-content.md)
* [Published Date Filter](/automations/scheduling/published-date-filter.md)
* [Require New Content to Send](/automations/scheduling/require-new-content-to-send.md)
* [Send Now](/automations/features/send-now.md)