> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aiderx.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Allocation Review

> Learn how to review advertisers' allocation requests and approve or reject them.

## Who is this guide for?

This guide is for anyone reviewing ad allocation requests with a **Retailer** or **Admin** account.

* People responsible for deciding whether to approve or reject allocation requests from advertisers
* People who want to see which campaigns are trying to serve ads on their placements
* People who want to understand the allocation approval criteria and process

***

## Before you begin

<Note>
  The following conditions must be met:

  * Access to the A2 admin console (Allocation read/write permission)
  * A **placement must be created** that advertisers can request allocations for
</Note>

***

## What is an allocation?

An allocation **connects an advertiser's campaign to a retailer's placement**.

When an advertiser requests "We want to show our ads on this placement," the retailer reviews the request and approves or rejects it. Once approved, the ads are served on that placement.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Advertiser requests allocation] --> B[Retailer reviews]
    B --> C{Approve/Reject}
    C -->|Approve| D[Ads start serving]
    C -->|Reject| E[Advertiser notified]
    E --> F[Can edit and resubmit]
```

### Allocation request and approval demo

<div style={{ position:"relative",paddingBottom:"calc(57.426303854875286% + 41px)",height:0,width:"100%" }}>
  <iframe src="https://demo.arcade.software/YKYe0yRgPupqng4NI3c8?embed&embed_mobile=inline&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true" title="Allocation request and approval" frameBorder="0" loading="lazy" allowFullScreen allow="clipboard-write" style={{ position:"absolute",top:0,left:0,width:"100%",height:"100%",colorScheme:"light" }} />
</div>

***

## Understanding allocation status

An allocation moves through the following statuses:

| Status | Code | Meaning | Who changes it? |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Pending** | PENDING | Allocation being prepared (not yet requested) | Advertiser |
| **Requested** | REQUESTED | Advertiser has requested approval | Advertiser → awaiting retailer review |
| **Approved** | PUBLISHED | Retailer approved; ads are serving | Retailer |
| **Rejected** | REJECTED | Retailer rejected the request | Retailer |
| **Finished** | FINISHED | Campaign ended normally | System (automatic) |
| **Canceled** | CANCELED | Campaign was canceled before it ended | Advertiser or retailer |

<Note>
  Even in the **REJECTED** status, the advertiser can edit the creative or settings and request again.
</Note>

***

## Step 1: Check allocation requests

When an advertiser requests an allocation, you receive a notification.

### Check notifications

When an allocation request comes in, you are notified through:

* Dashboard notifications
* Email
* Slack (if configured)

### Check the request list

1. Go to the **Placement Management** menu.
2. Select the placement.
3. Click the **Campaign Allocations** tab.
4. Look for items with the **REQUESTED** status.

***

## Step 2: Review campaign details

Click an allocation request to see the advertiser's campaign information.

### What to check

| Item | What to check |
| - | - |
| **Campaign info** | Campaign name, objective, schedule, budget |
| **Creative** | Preview of banner/video/native creatives |
| **Targeting** | Which users the ads will be shown to |
| **Bid settings** | Bid strategy, maximum bid |
| **Frequency** | Limit on impressions per user |

### Check creatives

Make sure the creative fits the placement:

* Whether the creative size matches the placement size
* Whether the placement supports the creative type (image/video)
* Whether the creative content complies with the placement policy

### Check frequency

Check the frequency cap set by the advertiser:

| Setting | Meaning | Example |
| - | - | - |
| **Period** | Period over which impressions are capped | 3 days |
| **Max impressions** | Maximum number of impressions within the period | 2 |
| **Stop after click** | Stop showing the ad to users who clicked it | On/Off |

For example, "up to 2 impressions over 3 days, stop after click on" means: → each user sees the ad at most twice in 3 days, and stops seeing it once they click.

### Check bid strategy

Check which strategy the advertiser is bidding with:

| Strategy | Code | Meaning |
| - | - | - |
| **Highest volume** | Highest Volume | Maximize impressions within the budget |
| **Target CPM** | Target CPM | Serve impressions while maintaining a target price |
| **Max reach** | Max Reach | Reach as many people as possible |

***

## Step 3: Approve or reject

Once your review is complete, make a decision.

### Approve

1. Click the **Approve** button.
2. In the confirmation popup, click **Approve**.

When you approve:

* The allocation status changes to **PUBLISHED**.
* Ads **start serving on the placement immediately**.
* The advertiser receives an approval notification.

### Reject

1. Click the **Reject** button.
2. Enter a rejection reason (optional).
3. Click **Reject**.

When you reject:

* The allocation status changes to **REJECTED**.
* The advertiser receives a rejection notification.
* The advertiser can edit and request again.

<Tip>
  When rejecting an allocation, it is best to state the reason clearly so the advertiser knows what to change.

  Example: "The creative size does not match. Please resubmit in 300x250."
</Tip>

***

## Automatic validation before approval

The system automatically validates the following conditions. If they are not met, you cannot approve.

| Condition | Description |
| - | - |
| **Campaign budget** | A budget must be set |
| **Campaign schedule** | The end date must not have passed |
| **Creative** | At least one active creative must exist |
| **Creative compatibility** | The creative type must match the placement type |

<Warning>
  If any of the conditions above is not met, the approve button is disabled or an error message is shown.
</Warning>

***

## Managing allocations

### Cancel an approved allocation

If you need to stop an allocation you already approved:

1. Go to the allocation detail page.
2. Click the **Cancel** button.
3. The status changes to **CANCELED** and ads stop serving.

<Note>
  Approved allocations (PUBLISHED) cannot be deleted. They can only be canceled (CANCELED).
</Note>

### Auto-approval settings

For trusted advertisers, you can have requests approved automatically instead of reviewing each one.

1. In **Placement Settings**, check the **Approval Method**.
2. Select **Advertiser Delegation** to automatically approve requests from advertisers who have that permission.

→ [Create and manage placements](/guides/for-retailers/en/placement) - How to set the approval method

***

## Operations checklist

A checklist for handling allocation reviews efficiently.

### Daily checks

| Item | Details |
| - | - |
| **New requests** | Check allocation requests in REQUESTED status |
| **Urgent requests** | Prioritize requests with an imminent start date |
| **Resubmissions after reject** | Check requests resubmitted after edits |

### Weekly checks

| Item | Details |
| - | - |
| **Approval rate analysis** | Analyze why the rejection rate is high |
| **Performance by advertiser** | Check the performance of approved campaigns |
| **Quality monitoring** | Check the quality of creatives being served |

### What to check during review

| Item | Details |
| - | - |
| **Creative fit** | Whether size, type, and content are suitable for the placement |
| **Bid adequacy** | Whether the bid is appropriate relative to the target eCPM |
| **Targeting scope** | Whether the target matches the placement's user profile |

<Tip>
  Use the **auto-approval** setting to reduce review time. Auto-approval is efficient for trusted advertisers.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I want to approve an allocation I rejected">
    A retailer cannot directly change a rejection to an approval. You can approve it once the advertiser edits it and requests again (REQUESTED).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The approve button is disabled">
    Check the automatic validation conditions, such as campaign budget, schedule, and creative compatibility. You may need to ask the advertiser to make changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I approved it, but the ad is not being served">
    Check the following:

    1. Whether the campaign is **active**
    2. Whether the campaign schedule includes the current time
    3. Whether the campaign has budget remaining
    4. Whether the SDK is installed correctly on the placement
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want to auto-approve requests from specific advertisers only">
    Select the **Advertiser Delegation** option in the placement settings to automatically approve requests from advertisers with the specific permission.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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