---
ref: tool:instantly/update-lead-interest-status
name: "Set a lead's interest status"
company: company:instantly
workflows: [workflow:cold-email-reply-triage, workflow:referral-reply-leads]
access: [api]
tags: [capability:classify-signals, category:sales-engagement, has:api]
docs: https://developer.instantly.ai/api-reference/lead/update-the-interest-status-of-a-lead
updated: 2026-09-29
---

# Set a lead's interest status

Sets the interest status of one lead, found by email address and optionally a campaign, such as interested, not interested, out of office or wrong person.

Note: `interest_value` is a number: 1 interested, -1 not interested, 0 out of office, -2 wrong person, 2 meeting booked, 3 meeting completed, 4 won, -3 lost, -4 no show, or a custom status's value; null resets the lead to Lead. Needs an active paid plan.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.instantly.ai
- Endpoint: `POST /api/v2/leads/update-interest-status`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $INSTANTLY_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://app.instantly.ai/app/settings/integrations
- Docs: https://developer.instantly.ai/getting-started/authorization

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.