For certain tests, you can directly update the targeting settings even after launching:
When you can update targeting settings post launch:
Here are some examples for when you can update the settings directly after launching a test:
When you're inviting your own users (invite via Email or invite via URL)
When you're inviting from your Community of testers
When you can't:
If you are targeting the BetaTesting panel, you are unable to directly update recruiting settings after launching a test, since we will have already invited testers. Please reach out to BetaTesting support if needed, and we can help make updates for future test invites that are queued. Once testers have spent time testing, we are unable to remove them since it would be unfair (reach out and we can help you on a case-by-case basis to come up with a plan that's fair for everyone).
How are invites sent out?
If you are inviting from the BetaTesting panel, retargeting your Community, or inviting via Email, invites are sent out in batches. We only invite as many people as needed to fulfill the number of Participants you want.
This means that invites are not all sent out immediately to everyone that matches your target audience.
What happens when you update targeting settings:
Updating the targeting settings will do two things:
If we need to invite more testers, we'll ensure that future invites match the latest settings
Any future applicants will need to match the latest settings.
Considerations & issues
Once someone is invited, they will have access to apply to the test, even if you change the targeting settings. However, if they don't match the latest targeting settings, they will not be accepted into the test.
Consider this situation:
You choose to target men in your existing tester Community and invite 100 men. Then you immediately change your test to target women and invite 100 women. In this situation only the women will be accepted because the men did not have time to apply before you changed the targeting to only accept women.
How to target some past testers, some new testers
In this situation, choose first to target your Community. You can target past testers by specific test, by tags, or even by user name/ID. Give your testers time to apply (e.g. 24 hours). Then if you still need more testers, you can change your targeting method to the BetaTesting panel.
Note that you can only move from your Community -> Panel. Once you have started recruiting from the BetaTesting panel you cannot change to another recruiting method.