# Segmentation rules for one-time prospect actions

*Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist Study Guide · Lead Management · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-account-engagement-specialist/lead-management/segmentation-rules-for-one-time-prospect-actions*

What a segmentation rule does: one run against the prospects who match at that moment, a short list of list, tag and campaign actions, and criteria that differ from automation rules in a few testable ways.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist
- Exam section: Lead Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-account-engagement-specialist

**Official exam objective:**

> Define the capabilities of a segmentation rule.

## What the exam expects

- Recognise a one-time requirement and choose a segmentation rule over an automation rule, dynamic list or completion action.
- Explain why prospects who qualify after the run are not touched by the rule.
- Create, preview and run a segmentation rule in the Lightning App with the right match type and rule groups.
- Pick from the segmentation actions, and spot requirements (score, assignment, notification, bounce status) that need an automation rule instead.

Key terms:
- **Segmentation rule**: a rule that runs one time and applies a segmentation action to prospects matching its criteria at that moment.
- **Segmentation action**: one of the list, tag or Salesforce campaign actions a segmentation rule can apply.
- **Preview**: the step that shows the matching prospects before the rule runs.
- **Run Segmentation**: the button that executes the rule once.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | Once; matches only prospects meeting the criteria when it runs | [Segmentation Rules](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_overview.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Continuous? | No, unlike automation rules | [Segmentation Rules](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_overview.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Lightning path | Prospects, then Segmentation, then Rules, + Add Segmentation Rule | [Create a Segmentation Rule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rules_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Who creates | Administrator or Marketing role | [Create a Segmentation Rule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rules_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Before running | Click Preview, then Run Segmentation | [Create a Segmentation Rule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rules_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Actions | Lists (add, new list, remove), tags (apply, remove), Salesforce campaign | [Segmentation Rule Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_action_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Email status values | Opted Out or Do Not Email only | [Segmentation Rule Criteria](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_criteria_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| One-time list use case | Help's southeast territory example | [Choosing the Right Tool](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_automation_choosing_the_right_tool.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- When a segmentation rule counts days for Prospect time, whose time zone defines a day?
- Which segmentation action creates a fresh list from whoever qualifies?
- Why can't a segmentation rule filter on activity from a third-party app?
- Which Google Analytics criterion does a segmentation rule offer?

## Sources

- [Segmentation Rules](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_overview.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Create a Segmentation Rule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rules_create.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Segmentation Rule Criteria](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_criteria_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Segmentation Rule Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_segmentation_rule_action_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Choosing the Right Account Engagement Automation Tool](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_automation_choosing_the_right_tool.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Automation Rule Criteria](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_automation_rule_criteria_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Automation Rule Actions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_automation_rule_action_reference.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Account Engagement Automation Match Type Overview](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000384003&language=en_US&type=1)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 6 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams