Make.com Core Concepts: Automation Fundamentals Explained

Overview

This is a foundational tutorial for the Make.com platform.

Help beginners understand core concepts of automated workflows:

1. Apps - Connectable third-party services
2. Actions - Executable operations within apps
3. Modules - Functional units in workflows
4. Connections - Authorization to access third-party apps
5. Data Mapping - Data transfer between modules

No-code visual workflow building interface

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Core Decision Factors

When choosing an automation platform, consider:

• Multi-App Integration - Quantity and quality of connectable apps
• Ease of Use - No-code/low-code characteristics
• Flexibility - Customization of trigger conditions and data filtering
• Efficiency Gains - Reducing human errors, processing massive information
• Learning Curve - Entry difficulty and community support

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Integrated Apps	2200+	Continuously updated
Update Frequency	Monthly	New apps and features
Avg Actions per App	4-5	Typical application
LinkedIn Actions	19	1 trigger + 13 actions + 5 searches
Workflow Possibilities	Unlimited	Combination of modules and actions

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Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Make.com account (free registration)
• Modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
• Basic internet experience

Make.com is a cloud service - no software installation needed, accessible via browser.

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Core Concept 1: Apps

2200+ apps integrated in Make.com

What are Apps?

Apps are third-party services Make.com can connect to, including:

• Office Collaboration - Notion, Google Sheets, Airtable
• Social Media - Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
• Email Services - Gmail, Outlook, Mailchimp
• AI Services - OpenAI, Claude, Gemini
• Storage Services - Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive

Each app provides a set of callable operation interfaces.

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Core Concept 2: Actions

Core concepts and their relationships

What are Actions?

Actions are specific operations executable within apps, divided into three categories:

Triggers

• Listen for events, start workflows
• E.g.: Receive new email, add database entry

Actions

• Execute specific operations
• E.g.: Send email, create record, update status

Searches

• Query and return data
• E.g.: Search users, get file list

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Core Concept 3: Modules

What are Modules?

Modules are functional units in workflows, visual representations of actions:

• Each module corresponds to a specific action
• Modules transfer data via connecting lines
• Modules execute sequentially in order

Module Types:

• Trigger modules (circular) - Workflow starting point
• Action modules (rounded rectangle) - Execute operations
• Router modules (diamond) - Branching logic
• Aggregator modules - Merge data

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Core Concept 4: Connections

Coffee shop scenario to explain authorization concept

What are Connections?

Connections are credentials authorizing Make.com to access third-party apps.

Coffee Shop Analogy:

• You are the coffee shop owner
• Make.com is your hired manager
• Authorization is giving the manager shop keys
• Manager can manage shop on your behalf

Authorization Methods:

• API Key - Enter key string
• OAuth - Redirect login authorization
• Username/Password - Direct login

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Core Concept 5: Data Mapping

Data field transfer and configuration

What is Data Mapping?

Data mapping specifies how data passes from one module to another.

Delivery Analogy:

• Data is the package
• Mapping is the delivery slip
• Specifies where to pick up and deliver

Mapping Operations:

1. Click target module’s input field
2. Select output field from upstream module
3. Field value transfers automatically

Example:

Notion gets title → ChatGPT's prompt field
ChatGPT generates content → Notion's content field

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Workflow Operation Mechanism

Understanding Make.com workflows is like understanding a conveyor belt:

Conveyor Belt Analogy:

1. Trigger starts the belt
2. Data packages placed on belt
3. Passes through each module station for processing
4. Finally reaches destination

Execution Order:

• Execute left to right sequentially
• Upstream module output becomes downstream input
• Supports conditional branching and loops

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Practical Application Scenarios

Typical Make.com applications in daily work:

Information Gathering & Management

• Auto-scrape news, industry updates
• Organize into desired formats
• Cross-language translation

Content Creation & Publishing

• Automated social media publishing
• Blog updates
• Multi-platform distribution

Data Processing & Analysis

• Integrate data from different sources
• Import to databases or spreadsheets
• Reduce manual input errors

Project & Schedule Management

• Connect calendars, task tools
• Notifications and reminders
• Auto-update statuses

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Important Notes

Common issues during learning:

1. Conceptual Barrier - Need some understanding of API, HTTP basic concepts

2. International Platform Focus - China-specific apps may require HTTP module connections

3. Initial Learning Curve - May be frustrating for beginners, requires patience

4. Theory-Practice Balance - Recommend importing existing workflows to gradually understand mechanics

5. Foundation Building - Don’t skip seemingly unrelated workflow tutorials, they contain important operation patterns

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Use Cases

Recommended For

• Content Creators - Automate content gathering, generation, publishing
• Researchers - Literature collection, summarization, data processing
• Corporate Employees - Email processing, document collaboration, scheduling
• Small Businesses - Improve operational efficiency, customer service
• Learning Enthusiasts - Enjoy building and optimizing automation processes

May Not Suit

• Users seeking plug-and-play, zero-configuration solutions
• Users lacking patience for troubleshooting
• Users relying solely on niche Chinese apps

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FAQ

How many apps does Make.com support?

Make.com supports 2200+ app integrations, with new apps and features added monthly.

Do I need programming knowledge?

No coding required, but understanding basic concepts like API, modules, and data mapping helps build better workflows.

How’s the support for Chinese apps?

Make.com mainly targets international markets. China-specific apps may require HTTP module connections.

Is the learning curve steep?

There’s an initial learning curve. We recommend combining tutorials with existing workflows to gradually understand the mechanics.

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Alternative Solutions

If Make.com doesn’t suit you, consider:

• Zapier - Similar functionality, possibly simpler but less flexible
• n8n - Open-source, self-hosted, for technical users
• Power Automate - First choice for Microsoft ecosystem users
• IFTTT - Oriented toward personal life automation

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Next Steps

After mastering basic concepts, you can try:

• Create your first simple workflow
• Import existing workflow templates to learn
• Try connecting commonly used apps
• Explore more advanced features (routing, filtering, etc.)

Feel free to leave comments if you have questions!