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Using the rule builder

The rule builder allows you to define which products should enter an AI Workflow.

Rules are one of the most important parts of workflow configuration because they determine:

  • which products are processed

  • when workflows execute

  • how targeted your automation becomes

Well configured rules help prevent unnecessary AI processing and improve output quality.


What the rule builder does

The rule builder filters products based on conditions.

Only products matching the configured rules will enter the workflow.

Examples:

  • Products missing descriptions

  • Products from a specific category

  • Products from a specific brand

  • Products without translations

  • Products with incomplete attributes

This allows workflows to target highly specific product groups.


How rules work

Rules are built using:

  • fields

  • operators

  • values

Example:

  • Description | Is Empty

  • Status | Equals | Enabled

  • Category | Equals | Shoes

Products must match the configured conditions before entering the workflow.


Common rule examples

Products missing descriptions

Useful for content enrichment workflows.

Rule:

  • Description | Is Empty


Products from a specific category

Useful for category specific enrichment or translations.

Rule:

  • Category | Equals | Running Shoes


Only active products

Useful for preventing disabled products from being processed.

Rule:

  • Status | Equals | Enabled


Products missing translations

Useful for translation workflows.

Rule:

  • German Description | Is Empty


Supplier specific products

Useful when enriching imported supplier catalogs.

Rule:

  • Supplier | Equals | Supplier A


Combining multiple rules

You can combine multiple conditions together.

Example:

  • Category equals Shoes
    AND

  • Description is empty
    AND

  • Status is enabled

This creates much more precise targeting.


Rule groups

Rule groups allow you to create more advanced logic.

Example:
(Category equals Shoes
OR
Category equals Sneakers)

AND

(Status equals Enabled)

This allows workflows to target larger product segments while maintaining control.


Why targeted rules matter

Precise rules improve:

  • AI output quality

  • workflow relevance

  • execution speed

  • moderation efficiency

  • cost control

Badly targeted workflows may:

  • enrich incorrect products

  • overwrite good content

  • generate unnecessary AI tasks

  • create large moderation queues


Product count preview

While configuring rules, Elovate displays how many products currently match the conditions.

This helps you:

  • validate workflow scope

  • estimate execution size

  • avoid accidental large scale runs

Example:
Your workflow may show:

  • 12 matching products

  • 340 matching products

  • 25,000 matching products

before saving the trigger.

Always review this number carefully.


Rule builder best practices

Start narrow

When testing a workflow:

  • begin with small product groups

  • validate outputs

  • expand gradually

Example:
Instead of:

  • Status equals Enabled

Use:

  • Category equals Running Shoes
    AND

  • Description is empty


Avoid overlapping workflows

Multiple workflows targeting the same products can create conflicts.

Example:
Two workflows both modifying:

  • Product descriptions

  • SEO titles

may overwrite each other unintentionally.

Try to keep workflow responsibilities separated.


Use business logic

Rules should reflect real business goals.

Examples:

  • Only enrich products ready for publishing

  • Only translate approved content

  • Only process products from selected suppliers

This creates cleaner automation pipelines.


Example workflow setup

Example:
A webshop wants to improve Google Shopping content for cat food products.

Rules:

  • Category equals Dry Cat Food

  • Status equals Enabled

  • Shopping Description is Empty

Actions:

  1. Extract Flavor and Life Stage attributes

  2. Generate Shopping Descriptions

  3. Translate content to German

Only relevant products enter the workflow automatically.


Troubleshooting rule issues

No matching products

Possible causes:

  • incorrect category selection

  • conflicting rules

  • invalid store scope

  • products missing required data

Check:

  • category values

  • operators

  • status filters

  • store configuration


Too many matching products

Possible causes:

  • rules are too broad

  • missing conditions

  • incorrect logic groups

Solution:
Add more specific filters such as:

  • category

  • supplier

  • missing content fields

  • product status


Recommended workflow strategy

A strong workflow strategy usually includes:

  • small targeted workflows

  • category specific automation

  • separated enrichment stages

  • controlled moderation

This creates more predictable AI behavior and easier workflow management.

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