Workflows & Actions

While Formulas define the logic for creating Segments (filtered lists of items + custom properties), Workflows define the automated Actions you want to perform on those segments and the Schedule (Frequency) on which those actions should run.

(Note: Currently, saving a Formula requires configuring an associated Workflow, even if the action is minor or the schedule is set to "Manual".)

Workflow Components

1. Action: The specific task you want Merch Jar to perform on the items within your calculated Segment. The available actions depend on the Dataset selected as the source for your Formula.
2. Schedule: How often Merch Jar should evaluate the Formula, generate the Segment, and attempt to run the configured Action on the resulting items.

Available Actions by Dataset

Here are the common actions available for primary datasets:

Campaigns Dataset

• Change Daily Budget: Icrease ($), Increase (%), Decrease, or Set Daily Budget ($). Can use fixed values or values from variables defined in your formula (see Using Custom Properties in Actions).
• Set State: Change the campaign status to "enabled", "paused", or "archived".

Ad Groups Dataset

• Change Default Bid: Increase ($), Increase (%), Decrease, or Set Default Bid ($). Can use fixed values or values from variables.
• Set State: Change the ad group state to "enabled", "paused", or "archived".

Targeting Dataset

• Change Bid: Increase ($), Increase (%), Decrease, or Set Bid ($). Can use fixed values or values from variables.
• Set State: Change the keyword/target state to "enabled", "paused", or "archived".

Configuring Actions

When setting up an action like "Change Bid" or "Change Daily Budget":

• You typically choose an operation (e.g., "Increase by (%)", "Decrease by ($)").
• You enter a fixed value OR select the option to use a value "from variable" (referring to a Custom Property defined with let in your Formula). This enables dynamic actions based on your formula's calculations.

Rounding Strategies

Workflow actions involving currency adjustments (bids, budgets) that result in values with fractions of a cent (sub-cent values) will apply a rounding strategy to arrive at a whole cent value.

Weighted Rounding the default and recommended strategy, which uses probability based on the fractional cent (e.g. $0.102 has a 20% chance of rounding to $0.11, 80% chance of staying $0.10). Other strategies (Always Round Up/Down, Normal) are available but may lead to bid stagnation or excessive increases, especially with small bid/budget values or adjustment amounts, and with frequent adjustments. Rounding strategies are configurable in your Merch Jar account settings.

See Rounding Strategies overview

Schedule Options

You can choose how often the Workflow runs:

• After every data sync: Runs multiple times per day after fresh data is available.
• Once per day: Runs daily at a set time.
• Manually: Only runs when you explicitly trigger it.
• On Certain Days / Dates: Allows for more specific scheduling.

Connecting Formulas, Segments, and Workflows

The process flows like this:

1. Formula: Defines the logic (filtering + custom properties).
2. Segment: The result of applying the Formula to the source Dataset at a given time.
3. Workflow (Action + Schedule): Executes the defined Action on the items currently in the Segment, according to the specified Schedule.

Understanding which actions are available for your chosen dataset is key to building effective automation.

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