Change in the campaign classification

[RaulFo]

Hi,

I am planning to do a change in the Adobe Analytics classification functionality. The tool is currently classifying the campaign traffic using the classification importer and I would like to switch to the classification rule builder.

I have built the new classificacion rule builder rules in the development report suite and they are working ok. We have decided to use new names and add some more conversion classification dimensions. I think I am now ready to apply the new rules to the production report suite but I would like to have confirmation on some points I am not completely sure about:

• The team used to import the classification under specific conversion classification dimensions that will be deprecated. This imports apply to only to the production report suite. They no longer would like to use these values because they think they are not accurate. Do you recommend to remove the previous imports so I can start classifying from scratch?
• I will be modifying names and adding new dimensions using the rule builder. Do you recommend either editing or deleting and creating these new dimensions? Is there any difference apart from the previous values that would be credited for the edited dimensions if the previous imports haven't been removed?

Thanks.

[DanIMS1]

Hi @RaulFo,

Firstly, you are making the right choice in moving from the classification importer to the rule builder as the rule builder offers more flexibility and scalability than the importer.

1. Removing the previous imports - if they are no longer used or considered inaccurate and will no longer be maintained then you should remove them or if you are uncomfortable with that at least try and clean them.
   Keeping old data can be confusing for some and misleading in the reports, plus you run the risk of conflicts with the new rules.
   If you are uncomfortable then you you can just create new classifications and apply the rule to them but this will cause clutter and can lead to some confusion, but I would remove them once I knew that no other system was still using them or the tracking codes.

2. I'd say to delete and recreate the new dimensions so there is no risk of any bleed through from the old data. 

Thanks,
Dan

[Jennifer_Dungan · Accepted solution]

If you are planning on getting rid of the rules from the classification importer completely, you might want to force a cleanup of every row by exporting the full list, apply ~deletekey~ to every row, then reupload the file.

https://experienceleague.adobe.com/en/docs/analytics/components/classifications/classifications-impo....

This should clean up your existing data.

Once the data is clean, then removing the old classifications is the next step... while I assume that Adobe should fail gracefully once a classification no longer exists, I don't know if it will still perpetually attempt to process the old rules, I would want to be sure that the system is clean just in case.

I would create new classifications, again to be on the safe side, and to ensure that no old values accidentally stick around... cleaning up the classification import should help that, but it may not clear out all historical values... 

[RaulFo]

Hi @Jennifer_Dungan,

I have imported a test file with just 2 records containing the ~deletekey~ value so I can check if the action works. One of the records looks clean, I mean, the classification has been deleted as expected. I took less than 24 hours. However, the other record hasn't changed yet. I imported the file more than 48 hours ago. 

I am not sure if I should wait some more days. I have read on the official documentation that on some specific cases the changes might take more than 48 hours to apply. 

Thanks.

[Jennifer_Dungan]

Interesting.. is it possible there are multiple rows for the same match, so there might still be classification matches occurring? 

[RaulFo]

Hi @Jennifer_Dungan,

I will keep checking if the values have been deleted. If not, I will have a look at any other possible row that maches the criteria. It is an interesting hypothesis that might be happening. 

Anyway, I feel I have too many rows to delete so the records can be clean. It would be a massive task. If I delete the values from a few classifications that currently exist but these are going to be replaced by a few new others as you recommended (remove the previous ones and create the new ones), don't you think the previous classifications and its values would dissapear? This way the previous classifications won't exist so I can start populating the new classifications with new values using the rule builder. 

Sorry if you feel you have already commented something related to my question above, but I need to fully understand the different options. 

Thanks.

[Jennifer_Dungan]

Yeah, depending on what is in place, it can be a huge task, lol. And no worries, that's what this forum is for, to discuss options and make sure you feel comfortable.

There is an "export all" option, so you can see all the rules that are currently applied, and through an autofill, you should be able to add the delete key fairly easily, then re-upload.

---

If I delete the values from a few classifications that currently exist but these are going to be replaced by a few new others as you recommended (remove the previous ones and create the new ones), don't you think the previous classifications and its values would dissapear?

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Well, the thing is, you could have a row matching "xyz" multiple times, and setting different classifications....

Key	Classification 1	Classification 2	Classification 3
xyz	value
xyz		value
xyz			value
xyz	other value

In theory anyway, and if you delete the key on row 1, then rows 2, 3 and 4 might still exist... (row 4 overrides row 1 since it happens after)

Now, if you start with new classifications, and delete the old ones, I believe that Adobe (not having those any more) will just not process those rows...  if you rename "Classification 1" to "Classification 4" then you might end up with unexpected values... 

To be honest, I don't have a lot of Classification Importer rules myself, I mostly use the Classification Rule Builder.. and the Importer Rules I do have, I haven't had to clean up yet... So most of this is based on the documentation rather than first hand knowledge.

[RaulFo]

Hi @Jennifer_Dungan,

I am opening a ticket with the Adobe support to clarify possible impacts when deleting and creating classifications, its implications and have their first hand recommendation.

Thanks for your support, very useful. 

[Jennifer_Dungan]

OK, good luck with support... please let us know what they say when you get an answer.