Sequential and Progressive Rotation

Target & Routing

Sequential and Progressive Exposure algorithms provide controlled, ordered traffic distribution.

Sequential Algorithm

Cycles through targets in order using a global counter that increments by 1 for each click.

How Sequential Works

The sequential counter is global across all visitors. Each click increments the counter by 1, regardless of which visitor made the click.

Example with 3 targets:

  • Visitor A, Click 1 → Counter 0 → Target 1 (counter becomes 1)

  • Visitor B, Click 1 → Counter 1 → Target 2 (counter becomes 2)

  • Visitor C, Click 1 → Counter 2 → Target 3 (counter becomes 3)

  • Visitor A, Click 2 → Counter 3 → Target 1 (loops back, counter becomes 4)

  • Visitor D, Click 1 → Counter 4 → Target 2 (counter becomes 5)

Notice that Visitor A sees Target 1 twice (on clicks 1 and 2) because the algorithm doesn't track visitor history - it only follows the global counter.

The counter never resets and continues indefinitely.

Sequential Unique Variant

Sequential Unique uses the same global counter but tracks which targets each visitor has seen. Each visitor can only see each target ONCE.

Example with 3 targets:

  • Visitor A, Click 1 → Counter 0 → Target 1 (counter becomes 1)

  • Visitor B, Click 1 → Counter 1 → Target 2 (counter becomes 2)

  • Visitor C, Click 1 → Counter 2 → Target 3 (counter becomes 3)

  • Visitor A, Click 2 → Counter 3 → Target 1 (loops to 0) → Visitor A already saw Target 1 → Skips to Target 2 (counter becomes 4)

  • Visitor D, Click 1 → Counter 4 → Target 2 (counter becomes 5)

  • Visitor A, Click 3 → Counter 5 → Target 3 (loops to 2) → Only unseen target (counter becomes 6)

  • Visitor A, Click 4 → Counter 6 → Visitor A has seen all targets → Fallback URL

Key insight: When Visitor A skips Target 1 (already seen) and gets Target 2, the global counter still increments normally. The next visitor (D) sees whatever is at the new counter position, not affected by A's skip.

When to Use Sequential

  • You want perfectly even distribution

  • Order of exposure matters

  • You need predictable rotation patterns

  • Testing multiple offers with equal opportunity

Progressive Exposure Algorithm

Progressive Exposure advances visitors through targets based on time elapsed and conversions.

How Progressive Exposure Works

Each visitor progresses through targets individually:

  1. Visitor first clicks: Sees Target 1

  2. For the next X days: Continues seeing Target 1

  3. After X days OR conversion: Advances to Target 2

  4. For the next X days: Sees Target 2

  5. After X days OR conversion: Advances to Target 3

Configuration Options

Days Per Target

How many days a visitor sees each target before advancing (default: 5 days).

After Completion

What happens after visitor has seen all targets:

  • Loop: Start over from Target 1

  • Fallback: Use configured fallback URL

Conversion-Based Advancement

If a visitor converts while seeing a target, they immediately advance to the next target, even if the time period hasn't elapsed. This accelerates progression for engaged visitors.

When to Use Progressive Exposure

  • Building value ladders (starter offer → mid-tier → premium)

  • Progressive onboarding sequences

  • Long-term customer journeys

  • Educational progressions

  • Membership level upgrades

Custom Target Order

For Sequential, Sequential Unique, and Progressive Exposure, the order of targets determines which target is shown first, second, third, and so on.

You can customize this order using drag-and-drop in the Routing Summary panel at the bottom of the Link Editor.

How to Reorder Targets

  1. Open a link that uses Sequential, Sequential Unique, or Progressive Exposure.

  2. Scroll to the Routing Summary at the bottom of the targets section.

  3. Grab the drag handle (⠿) next to any target.

  4. Drag it to the desired position in the sequence.

  5. Click Save Changes to persist the new order.

The numbered badges (1, 2, 3...) update automatically to reflect the new sequence. New targets are always appended to the end of the list.

Advanced Topics

Sequential vs Sequential Unique

Key differences:

  • Sequential: Global counter, visitors can see same target multiple times

  • Sequential Unique: Global counter, but tracks per-visitor, no repeats

Progressive Exposure Best Practices

  • Set realistic time periods based on your sales cycle

  • Configure appropriate fallback for post-completion

  • Use conversion tracking to enable early advancement

  • Monitor progression statistics to optimize timing

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