Checklist: Quarantine a bad traffic source without killing the smartlink

Checklist: Quarantine a bad traffic source without killing the smartlink

One sub-source (sub_id 4471) sent 12% of clicks at $0.03 EPC and triggered an advertiser fraud warning. Pausing the whole smartlink wasn't an option.

What we did:
☐ Step 1: Break EPC by sub_id — 4471 was bottom 1% with a 0.2% conversion rate.
☐ Step 2: Cross-check against a fraud-score feed; 4471 flagged high-bot.
☐ Step 3: Add a routing rule: sub_id=4471 → a safe, low-payout incentive offer (not a premium one).
☐ Step 4: Keep it billable but off the advertiser that complained.

Outcome over 14 days: advertiser fraud warning cleared. Premium-offer conversion rate rose from 1.1% to 1.4% once 4471's junk stopped diluting it. Blended EPC +8%.

Repeat weekly: rank sub_ids by EPC; quarantine the bottom 1% rather than ban outright.