---
schema_version: "1"
id: 62e9284e1e52daf936451e13a627b5dae9a7f80110327cdacaca58b003b16de7
title: Choosing the Right Account Engagement Automation Tool
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/mktg/264-0-0/pardot_automation_choosing_the_right_tool.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.pardot_automation_choosing_the_right_tool.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 83588ca7bb28939c92ec634948199c9367632fe1986b3e0461b778642e90fbde
description: Choosing the appropriate automation tool for your needs can simplify your marketing efforts. Answer a few questions to help you decide which tool to use.
products:
  - Marketing
  - Marketing Cloud Account Engagement
release: "264"
---
# Choosing the Right Account Engagement Automation Tool

Choosing the appropriate automation tool for your needs can simplify your marketing efforts. Answer a few questions to help you decide which tool to use.

1. Is the rule based on criteria or an action the prospect takes?
    - Action—Use a completion action.
    - Criteria—Go to step 2.
2. Is it a one-time automation?
    - Yes—Use a segmentation rule.
    - No—Go to step 3.
3. What is the goal?
    - Update a list—Use a dynamic list.
    - Action based on criteria—Use an automation rule.

![flowchart describing when to use different automation tools](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-pardot-264-0-0-production-enus/5fef4d4f-9a34-45c6-8cd3-e3200b9eeba8/pardot/images/pardot_automation.png)

![Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-pardot-264-0-0-production-enus/5fef4d4f-9a34-45c6-8cd3-e3200b9eeba8/images/icon_example.png)

Example

You want to send an autoresponder email when a prospect submits a form to download a white paper.

You need a rule based on the action of submitting a form. Use a completion action.

![Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-pardot-264-0-0-production-enus/5fef4d4f-9a34-45c6-8cd3-e3200b9eeba8/images/icon_example.png)

Example

You want to pull a one-time list of all prospects in your southeast territory.

You need a rule based on the criteria of southeast territory that runs one time. Use a segmentation rule.

![Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-pardot-264-0-0-production-enus/5fef4d4f-9a34-45c6-8cd3-e3200b9eeba8/images/icon_example.png)

Example

You want to create a Salesforce task when a prospect submits a form and has a grade greater than B+.

You need a rule that performs an action based on the criteria of prospect grade is greater than B+ and a form submission. Use an automation rule.

![Example](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-mktg-pardot-264-0-0-production-enus/5fef4d4f-9a34-45c6-8cd3-e3200b9eeba8/images/icon_example.png)

Example

You want to create a list that you can use for an engagement program. Prospects are added to the list when they have a score of 100 and a grade of at least a B+. They are removed from the list when their score falls below 100 or grade falls below B+.

You need a rule that updates a list based on the criteria of a score greater than 100 and a grade that is greater than B+. Therefore, you need a rule that runs more than once, updates a list, and is based on criteria. Use a dynamic list.