> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/features/automations/metrics-alert.md).

# Metrics Alert

A Metrics Alert checks one or two metric conditions on a schedule and sends an email when any condition triggers. Use it for "let me know when X happens" cases — not for digests (use [Daily Brief](/documentation/features/automations/daily-brief.md) for those).

If you need to combine more than two conditions or use AND/OR logic, use [Multi-Metrics Alert](/documentation/features/automations/multi-metrics-alert.md) instead.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Example Metrics Alert email — clear headline ("ROAS dropped below 2.0 — current 1.74"), the condition that triggered, and a one-line context note.

### Conditions

You can add up to two conditions per alert. For each condition, pick:

* **Database connection** — GA4, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.
* **Metric** — depends on the connection (Spend, Sessions, ROAS, Conversion Rate, etc.).
* **Condition type** — one of four:

#### Value Higher Than

Alert when the metric exceeds a number.

* **Threshold**: a number (e.g. 50,000 for sessions, 5,000 for spend).

Use case: "Tell me when daily Meta spend tops $5,000 — that means something's pacing wrong."

#### Value Lower Than

Alert when the metric drops below a number.

* **Threshold**: a number (e.g. 1,000 sessions, 2.0 ROAS).

Use case: "Tell me when ROAS drops below 2.0 — that's our pause threshold."

#### Change since yesterday

Compares today's value to yesterday's.

* **Threshold type**: Percentage or Absolute.
* **Direction**: Increase, Decrease, or Either.
* **Threshold value**: e.g. 20 for "20% change."

Use case: "Tell me when conversions drop 30%+ overnight — probably tracking is broken."

#### Change over fixed period

Compares the current value to the value N days ago.

* **Threshold type**: Percentage or Absolute.
* **Direction**: Increase, Decrease, or Either.
* **Threshold value**: as above.
* **Period (days)**: 1–30.

Use case: "Tell me when 7-day Google Ads CPA is 25%+ higher than the previous 7-day CPA."

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Add Condition dialog showing the connection picker, metric picker, condition type "Change over fixed period," and the threshold fields.

### Schedule

Pick how often SMAQ should evaluate the conditions:

* **Daily** — most common.
* **Weekly** — for slower-moving metrics like organic CTR.
* **Monthly** — usually too slow; use Weekly instead.

The alert only fires when the condition is true at evaluation time. If you check daily and ROAS recovers between checks, you won't get a delayed alert.

### Recipients

Standard email list.

### What the alert email contains

* The headline (which condition triggered, current value)
* The metric value at evaluation time
* The threshold and direction
* Optional: a small chart of the metric over time (for "Change" conditions)

### Tips

* **Set thresholds based on a real day.** Look at the metric over the last 30 days, pick a value 1.5–2× outside the normal range.
* **Use Direction: Either sparingly.** Most actionable alerts are one-directional — drops in ROAS matter; spikes in ROAS usually don't.
* **Start with one condition.** Two conditions in a single alert AND together — both must be true. If you want OR logic, create two separate alerts.
* **Don't alert on noisy metrics daily.** If your daily ROAS naturally swings ±50%, a daily ROAS alert will fire constantly. Switch to weekly or use a tighter threshold.

### Alert fatigue

If you're getting more than a couple alert emails per week, tighten the thresholds. Alerts you ignore are noise, not signal.

### Tier availability

* **All tiers** — Metrics Alert is included on Starter and up.

### Related

* [Multi-Metrics Alert](/documentation/features/automations/multi-metrics-alert.md) — for more than two conditions with AND/OR logic.
* [Anomaly Digest](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#anomaly-digest) — statistical outlier detection (lets SMAQ pick the thresholds for you).
* [Budget Pacing Alert](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#budget-pacing-alert) — specifically for budget over/underspend.