Campaign Management with Rule-Based Optimization

Managing campaign performance manually can be both time-consuming and error-prone. That’s where rule-based optimization steps in—automating decisions to help you stay on target without constant oversight.

Rules-Based Optimization feature from Adskeeper continuously evaluates your campaign performance in real-time (no waiting for scheduled updates). With it, you can create intelligent rules that automatically:

Block underperforming widgets or sources
Adjust your CPC dynamically to hit performance targets
Set fixed CPC bids when certain conditions are met

There are three types of rules you can use:

Auto-blocking – Instantly stops traffic from widgets or sources that fail to meet your criteria.
Auto-bidding – Automatically tweaks CPC based on performance goals.
Fixed-bid – Applies a specific CPC value when a defined condition is met.

Creating a Rule: Step-by-Step

Open the campaign where you'd like to apply rules.
Go to the Widget Optimization tab.
Click Create Rule.
Choose the rule type you want to set up.

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The Widget Optimization tab supports both widgets and sources.

rule-based_3 Setting Up Auto-Blocking Rules

Choose what you’re optimizing (widget or source). It's best to create separate rules for each.
Define a trigger threshold—either a click count or spend amount. Suggested starting points:

Widget: 2–3× your target CPA
Source: 1–2× your target CPA

3. Pick a performance metric (e.g., Conversion Cost) and link it to a specific conversion stage.

Only one metric per conversion stage can be used per rule.

4. Set your condition (e.g., block if Conversion Cost is higher than $10).

Available indicators	Available operators
Conversion Cost Conversion Rate Conversion Count Revenue Profit ROI EPC	Lower Higher Between Not between

5. Choose the data timeframe that the rule should evaluate (e.g., Last 7 Days).

6. Select the action:

Block: Permanently disables the widget/source.
Block otherwise unblock: Blocks it temporarily and reactivates if the condition is no longer met.

Recommended if conversion data is delayed or you’ve done a lot of manual blocking already.

Once done, hit the pink checkmark to save.

Here is an example of the setup rule:

To save the rule once the configuration has been completed, click the pink tick button.

You can manually override any rule-blocked item. This tells the system to ignore it in the future (you’ll see a palm icon next to it).

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Fixed-Bid Rule

This rule is identical to auto-blocking in structure—except the action sets a specific CPC bid when your defined condition is met.

Set it up, confirm with the blue checkmark, and you’re good to go.

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Auto-Bidding Rule

Instead of setting a static CPC, this rule lets the system calculate the optimal bid to help you meet your:

Target Conversion Cost, or
ROI

If the rule determines the goal is unreachable at system-minimum bids, it can either:

Block the widget/source, or
Maintain the lowest possible CPC to keep traffic flowing.

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This rule does not increase CPC—even if doing so could bring more traffic.

Optimization Rule Set

Not sure where to begin? Use the Rule Set option to apply a balanced mix of Auto-blocking and Auto-bidding rules instantly.

Auto-blocker removes non-performers automatically
Auto-bidder adapts CPC based on real-time results

Please refer to the screenshot for an example of the rule set.

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Then, a set of Auto-blocking and Auto-bidding rules will be created automatically and will start optimizing your campaign immediately.

Enabling the Rule Set will delete any previously created rules for that campaign.