How Do One Time Rules Work?

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Accessing the Function
3. Step-by-Step Guide
4. Settings & Options
5. Limitations & Special Notes
6. Tips & Best Practices

Overview

With a One Time Rule, you set up a rule that is executed only once. You define a time range, the relevant ad types, and the desired match types. You manually trigger the rule using the Play icon. After each execution, there’s a 30-day cooldown before you can use the same rule again. One Time Rules are perfect for one-off adjustments without permanent automation.

Accessing the Function

You can find this feature in the Segment Management section of the main navigation. First, open your desired segment. From the segment’s menu, select New One Time Rule. Once you've created a One Time Rule, it will appear in the segment view and can be executed at any time by clicking the Play icon.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a One Time Rule

Go to Segment Management, open your target segment, and click New One Time Rule in the menu. This opens a setup dialog specific to One Time Rules, where you can configure all necessary settings.

Note: With the Essential Plan, this feature may be unavailable. If so, you'll see a corresponding note.

Step 2: Select Marketplace and Adjustment Type

In the first step, choose a name and the marketplaces for the One Time Rule. Decide whether the rule should adjust bids or keywords. The next configuration steps depend on whether you choose bid management or keyword management.

1. Define conditions: On the second page of the One Time Rule dialog, set when your One Time Rule should apply. You can combine multiple conditions using the "+" button.
2. Define actions: Once you are satisfied with your conditions, select the Action – for example, increase bids, decrease them, or set a fixed value. Enter your target including the unit, e.g., "increase CPC by €0.20".
3. Choose time range: In the Please select a time range for the settings above section, decide which period the rule will analyze, such as the last 30 days. The rule will evaluate performance data for this range only. Note: You must provide a start and end date to execute the rule.
4. Select match types: In the Match Types section, choose which keyword or target types the rule should apply to (e.g., Broad, Phrase, Exact, Product, Auto, Category). You can select multiple types. You must select at least one match type to save.

1. Define conditions: On the second page of the dialog, set which search term conditions must be met for the One Time Rule. You can combine multiple conditions using the "+" button.
2. Choose time range: In the Please select a time range for the above settings section, specify the period, e.g., the last 30 days. The rule evaluates performance only for this period. Note: You must provide both a start and an end date.
3. Select match types: In the Match Types area, select the keyword or target types that the rule should affect (e.g., Broad, Phrase, Exact, Product, Auto, Category). Multiple types can be chosen, but at least one is required to save.
4. Define actions: In the final step, decide how you want keyword management to act. You can use standard settings or define your own conditions.

Step 3: Save

Click Save to create your One Time Rule. It will now appear in your segment overview.

Step 4: Execute One Time Rule

Open the respective segment and find your saved One Time Rule. Start it by clicking the Play icon next to the rule. If the icon is active, the rule will run immediately. You’ll receive a confirmation that your rule will be processed soon. If the icon is disabled, wait until the 30-day cooldown has passed. While the rule status is “pending,” this will be shown, and you cannot edit or delete the rule. Once complete, the Last Executed date will be updated.

Settings & Options

• The Last Executed field always shows when the rule was last run.
• While a rule is running (“pending”), you cannot edit or delete it.

Limitations & Special Notes

• You can set up to 100 rules per segment (including both automations and One Time Rules).
• After each execution, the same rule has a 30-day cooldown.
• Currently, this feature is available for Sponsored Products only.
• While a rule is running (indicated by a spinner), it cannot be edited.
• After creating a One Time Rule, you must trigger it manually – it will not start automatically.

Tips & Best Practices

• For reliable data, carefully choose the Date Time Window, e.g., “last 30 days.”
• Use One Time Rules for one-off adjustments – automations are better suited for ongoing performance optimization.