====== Forces ======

Menu: Overview / {{:te3:overview_edit_icon.png?nolink|}} Edit trade / [[te3:add_trade_single#Forces|Forces]]

~~NOTOC~~


Forces are essential for effective traffic trading. You can use them to start-up new trades and to keep the existing trades stable. **Send (force)** specified amount of traffic to individual trades based on the force conditions set.

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===== Force types to choose from =====

{{ :te3:forces2.png?nolink|}}



{{:te3:tut_step_1.png?nolink|}} **Instant** \\ 
When you set Instant hits, forcing starts immediately. The amount you set will be sent out to the respective trade(s) as soon as there is enough outgoing uniques available. \\ \\ 
{{:te3:tut_step_2.png?nolink|}} **Per hour** \\ 
Amount of hits to be sent per hour. \\ \\ \\ 

<WRAP caution>Force type ''Instant'' has priority over the ''Per hour''.</WRAP>

For both force types, ''Instant'' and ''Per hour'', you can choose between ''<color blue>Free</color>'' and ''<color red>Force</color>'' hits.



==== Difference between Free and Force hits ====

There is a huge difference between the two. Look for the ''Out'' and ''Out T'' columns in both, "Last 60 mins" and "Last 24 hours", sections. 
  * ''Out'' (Outgoing): Normal outgoing traffic + ''<color blue>Force</color>'' hits. \\ \\ 
  * ''Out T'' (Outgoing Total): Normal outgoing traffic + ''<color blue>Force</color>'' hits + ''<color red>Free</color>'' hits.  

''Free'' hits are not included in the algorithms for outgoing traffic distribution, therefore they have no impact on the ''Owed'' ratio. All calculations are based on the ''Out'' parameter, while ''Out T'' exists for informational purposes only.

When ''Force'' hits are sent to a trade, ''Owed'' ratio increases for that trade. When ''Free'' hits are sent, ''Owed'' ratio remains unchanged.

<WRAP caution>
In most cases, we recommend ''Free'' hits over ''Force'' hits. Based on our experience, ''Free'' hits (Instant and Per hour) work better for starting up new trades. ''Free'' hits (Per hour) also work better for keeping existing trades stable.</WRAP>

If you have only been using ''Force'' in the past, but you would like to experiment with ''Free'', follow this rule: Set approx. 1/3 ''Free'' of what you would normally set ''Force''. E.g., if you would normally set 90 ''Force'' (Instant or Per hour), you can set 30 ''Free'' instead.

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===== How to efficiently control forces =====

You can set forces inside “Admin interface” for each trade individually - click {{:te3:overview_edit_icon.png?nolink|}} ''Edit'' icon for a desired trade. To modify "forces" for multiple trades at the same time you should use [[te3:mass_edit|Mass edit]].
 
++++ Example - set "forces" for a single trade |
<fs 125%>**Step by step**</fs>

{{:te3:forces3.png?nolink|}}
{{:te3:tut_step_1.png?nolink|}} Navigate to the [[te3:overview|Overview]] menu, click {{:te3:overview_edit_icon.png?nolink|}} ''Edit'' icon for a desired trade.

{{:te3:tut_step_2.png?nolink|}} Expand [[te3:add_trade_single#forces|Forces]] accordion and set "forces".

{{:te3:tut_step_3.png?nolink|}} Click {{:te3:button_save.png?nolink|}} or press ''Enter'' to confirm your settings.
++++

The most efficient method to control "forces" is to enable ''Free'' and ''Force'' columns in both, "Last 60 mins" and "Last 24 hours", sections in the "Overview" menu (use {{:te3:customize_button1.png?nolink|}} [[te3:interface_manager|Interface manager]]). There you can see an exact amount of <color blue>Free</color> and <color red>Force</color> hits sent out to each individual trade in the respective period of time. 

You should also enable every parameter in the "Forces" section: the two columns, ''Instant'' and ''Per hour'' (section Forces), give you a nice overview for all your "Forces" settings. To modify "forces", simply click on the respective table cell in these two columns and a [[te3:edit_trade#quick edit|Quick edit]] window will open.

++++ Example - set "forces" using Quick edit | 
<fs 125%>**Step by step**</fs>

{{:te3:forces4.png?nolink |}}
{{:te3:tut_step_1.png?nolink|}} Click on the respective table cell in ''Instant'' or ''Per hour'' column. \\ \\ \\ 

{{:te3:tut_step_2.png?nolink|}} Set "forces" for the selected trade. \\ \\ \\ \\ 

{{:te3:tut_step_3.png?nolink|}} Click {{:te3:button_save.png?nolink|}} or press ''Enter'' to confirm your settings.

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===== Don't overset forces =====


All forces combined should never exceed 25% of what your site can send out per hour. If your traffic fluctuates, do not set forces to more than 25-30% of what your site sends out during the slowest hour. If your total sum ''Out T'' is ''10000'' per hour, don't set more than ''2500'' forces per hour. 

Forces have priority over the rest of the outgoing traffic. More forces you set, less traffic is left available for outgoing distribution based on the [[te3:algorithms|trade algorithm]]. Some users even set more forces than they have outgoing traffic available. In such extreme cases, outgoing traffic distribution is based strictly on forces, which makes no sense at all.

You should also be careful, if you are using [[te3:niches|niches]]. Don't set more than 25% forces of what the respective niche group(s) can send out per hour.