SOP: Warm up a new traffic source on a protected branch

SOP: Warm up a new traffic source on a protected branch

A new source threatened to flood the main smartlink with unvetted traffic, risking advertiser caps and fraud flags. We isolated it.

Steps run:
— Step 1: Route the new source to a dedicated branch with only forgiving offers (auto-approve CPL).
— Step 2: Hold there for 10,000 clicks while monitoring conversion rate + fraud score.
— Step 3: New source converted at 0.9% with a clean fraud score after 10k.
— Step 4: Graduate it to the main chain at 25% weight, watch one more cycle.

Outcome over 16 days: the source proved clean and added 18% volume to the main smartlink at $0.23 EPC, with zero advertiser complaints. A second source tested this way was caught at 40% bot and never reached premium offers.

Repeat per new source: 10k clicks on the protected branch before any premium offer sees it.