The Schedule Campaign feature lets you control exactly when your A/B test starts and stops collecting data. This guide explains how scheduling works with publishing.
The short answer
You need to publish your test manually. Setting a schedule date does not automatically publish your test. Instead, the schedule controls when your already-published test will be active and collecting visitor data.
How it works
When you publish a test with a scheduled start date:
The test goes into "published" state — it's live on your site
No data is collected yet — visitors won't see variants or be tracked
When the start date arrives — the test automatically becomes active and starts collecting data
When the end date arrives (if set) — the test stops collecting new data
Common scenarios
What you set | What happens when you publish |
No dates | Test starts immediately |
Future start date | Test waits until that date to start tracking |
Future start + end date | Test runs only during that window |
Only an end date | Test starts immediately, stops on end date |
Example
Let's say today is February 6th and you want your test to run during a product launch on February 15th:
Set the Start Date to February 15th
Set the End Date to February 28th (optional)
Click Publish
Your test is now published and ready. On February 15th, it will automatically start showing variants to visitors and collecting data. You don't need to do anything else.
Tips
Leave dates blank if you want the test to start immediately when you publish
Use end dates for time-sensitive campaigns like sales or promotions
You can edit dates after publishing if your plans change
The test must be published for scheduling to work — an unpublished test with dates set won't run automatically
Frequently asked questions
Will my test auto-publish on the start date?
No. You must click "Publish" manually. The start date only controls when a published test begins collecting data.
What if I set a start date in the past?
The test will start collecting data immediately after you publish.
Can I pause a scheduled test?
Yes, you can unpublish the test at any time. When you republish, the schedule will still apply.