Ad-Item Level Targeting and Scheduling

When creating a campaign in AdButler, you can control where targeting rules and scheduling rules are managed. This flexibility allows you to configure settings once at the campaign level or customize them individually for each ad item.

Understanding the Targeting Level Setting

The Targeting Level option determines where audience targeting rules are configured and managed.

Campaign Level Targeting

When Campaign is selected:

• All targeting rules are configured once at the campaign level.
• Every ad item within the campaign inherits the same targeting settings.
• Ad item-level targeting options are disabled.
• Changes made to campaign targeting automatically apply to all ad items.

This is the recommended option when all ad items are intended to reach the same audience.

Example

You create a campaign targeting:

• United States
• Mobile devices
• Sports enthusiasts

Every ad item within the campaign will automatically use these same targeting criteria.

Ad-Item Level Targeting

When Ad Item is selected:

• Targeting is configured individually for each ad item.
• Campaign-level targeting controls are disabled.
• Each ad item can have completely different targeting rules.

This is useful when a single campaign contains multiple creatives that should be delivered to different audiences.

Example

Within a single campaign:

• Ad Item A targets users in New York.
• Ad Item B targets users in California.
• Ad Item C targets users in Texas.

Each ad item operates independently using its own targeting configuration.

Both

When Both is selected:

• Campaign-level targeting acts as the base requirement.
• Ad-item targeting provides additional refinement.
• A user must satisfy both the campaign targeting rules and the ad-item targeting rules to qualify.

This is useful when you want to define broad campaign requirements while allowing individual ad items to further narrow their audience.

Example

Campaign targeting:

• United States

Ad-item targeting:

• Ad Item A → New York
• Ad Item B → California

Result:

• Ad Item A serves only to users in New York.
• Ad Item B serves only to users in California.
• Users outside the United States will not qualify for either ad item.

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Understanding the Scheduling Level Setting

The Scheduling Level option determines where start dates, end dates, and delivery schedules are managed.

Campaign Level Scheduling

When Campaign is selected:

• Schedule settings are managed at the campaign level.
• All ad items inherit the same schedule.
• Ad items become active and inactive based on the campaign schedule.

This is the simplest option when all ad items should run during the same timeframe.

Example

Campaign schedule:

• Start: July 1
• End: July 31

All ad items in the campaign will automatically run from July 1 through July 31.

Ad-Item Level Scheduling

When Ad Item is selected:

• Each ad item manages its own schedule.
• Campaign scheduling controls are disabled.
• Individual ad items can run on different dates and times.

This is useful for phased promotions, seasonal messaging, or rotating creatives.

Example

Within a single campaign:

• Ad Item A runs July 1–10
• Ad Item B runs July 11–20
• Ad Item C runs July 21–31

Each ad item activates according to its own schedule.

Both

When Both is selected:

• The campaign schedule acts as the overall date range.
• Ad-item schedules further restrict delivery.
• An ad item must be active within both schedules before it can serve.

Example

Campaign schedule:

• July 1–31

Ad Item A schedule:

• July 5–10

Ad Item B schedule:

• July 15–20

Result:

• Ad Item A only serves July 5–10.
• Ad Item B only serves July 15–20.
• Neither ad item can serve outside the campaign schedule.

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How Campaign and Ad-Item Rules Interact

When Both is selected for either targeting or scheduling, AdButler applies the campaign rules first and then applies the ad-item rules.

Think of campaign-level settings as the outer boundary and ad-item settings as additional restrictions.

Targeting Example

Campaign targeting:

• Canada

Ad Item targeting:

• British Columbia

Result:

• The ad item only serves to users in British Columbia, Canada.

Scheduling Example

Campaign schedule:

• January 1–31

Ad Item schedule:

• January 10–15

Result:

• The ad item only serves between January 10 and January 15.

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Recommended Usage

Scenario	Targeting Level	Scheduling Level
All ad items share the same audience and dates	Campaign	Campaign
Different audiences, same dates	Ad Item	Campaign
Same audience, different flight dates	Campaign	Ad Item
Shared campaign rules with individual refinements	Both	Both

Best Practices

For most campaigns, Campaign-level targeting and scheduling provide the simplest management experience and reduce configuration complexity.

Use Ad-Item Level settings when individual creatives require unique audiences, different flight dates, or more granular delivery control.

Use Both when you need a common campaign framework while still allowing each ad item to have additional targeting or scheduling restrictions.