> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pingtree.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a Campaign

> Step-by-step guide to creating a new campaign in Pingtree, from naming to initial configuration.

## Overview

Creating a campaign in Pingtree takes just a few minutes. Once created, your campaign gets a unique **Campaign ID (CID)** — such as `cp100` — that identifies it across the entire platform. After creation, you can layer in sources, distribution, funnels, and settings at your own pace.

> **Video Walkthrough:** A step-by-step video guide for this feature is coming soon.

<Frame caption="Campaign creation wizard first step">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pingtree/VhlsITRW0O01h-Sm/assets/images/screenshots/create-campaign.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=VhlsITRW0O01h-Sm&q=85&s=0854beb483148e7f94514cc0e4991e5e" alt="Campaign creation wizard first step" width="1919" height="989" data-path="assets/images/screenshots/create-campaign.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Before You Start

Have the following ready before creating your campaign:

* A clear campaign name (e.g., "Auto Insurance — Q3 2025").
* An understanding of what lead type you're running (form lead, click, ping-post).
* Optionally, a campaign category if you're organizing by vertical or brand.

***

## Steps to Create a Campaign

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Create Campaign">
    From the **Campaign Manager** page, click the **Create Campaign** button in the top-right corner. You can also find this option in the sidebar navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Campaign Name and Description">
    Give your campaign a clear, descriptive name. Add an optional description to note the goals, vertical, or any relevant context for your team.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a Campaign Category (Optional)">
    Assign the campaign to an existing category (e.g., "Insurance", "Solar", "Finance") to keep your list organized. You can create a new category directly from this dropdown if needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Lead Generation Type">
    Select the type of lead generation your campaign will use:

    | Type          | Description                                  |
    | ------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
    | **Form Lead** | Leads are submitted via a web form           |
    | **Click**     | Traffic is redirected to an offer or listing |
    | **Ping-Post** | Leads are auctioned to buyers in real time   |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Basic Settings">
    Set foundational options for the campaign:

    * **Timezone** — Choose the timezone used for reporting and scheduling (e.g., US/Eastern).
    * **Dedupe Rules** — Define how duplicate leads are detected and handled (e.g., deduplicate by email within 30 days).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign a Database Source (Optional)">
    A database source stores all lead data collected by this campaign. You can create a new database source or link the campaign to an existing one. This step can also be completed after campaign creation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Brand Settings (Optional)">
    Add brand assets to personalize the campaign experience:

    * **Logo** — Displayed on funnel pages and source portals.
    * **Hero Image** — Used as the main visual on landing pages.
    * **Landing URL** — The primary destination URL for this campaign's traffic.

    > **Tip:** Brand settings are especially useful if you manage multiple brands within one Pingtree account, as they keep your partner-facing pages consistent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Create">
    Click **Create Campaign** to finalize. Pingtree will generate a unique **Campaign ID (CID)** for this campaign — for example, `cp100`. This ID is used across tracking links, API calls, and reports.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What Happens After Creation

Once your campaign is created, you'll land on the **Campaign Overview** page. From here you can configure:

| Section            | What to Set Up                                            |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Sources**        | Add custom sources, marketing partners, or media channels |
| **Distribution**   | Configure endpoints, routing rules, and ping-post buyers  |
| **Funnel Builder** | Build landing pages and form flows                        |
| **Settings**       | Fine-tune campaign behavior, compliance, and API keys     |

> **Tip:** You don't need to configure everything before going live. A campaign with a source and a distribution endpoint is enough to start receiving and routing leads.

***

## Campaign ID Format

Every campaign is automatically assigned a unique Campaign ID when created. This ID follows the format:

```
cpXXX
```

Examples: `cp100`, `cp101`, `cp205`

This ID is used in:

* API calls to submit or retrieve leads
* Tracking links for source attribution
* Reports and logs to identify which campaign a lead belongs to