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Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation

Describes the differences and similarities of Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation.

You cannot run a Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation project on the same individual webpage. Depending on the use-case of the specific page, one product has particular advantages over the other.

Where and why

Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation both offer distinct advantages. Below, we suggest where you might run experiments using Optimizely Performance Edge, Optimizely Web Experimentation, and Optimizely Feature Experimentation and why.

ProductWhereWhy
Optimizely Performance Edge Entry pages: Homepage, Landing pages, SEO pages
Category pages

- Product, Article pages
Extremely fast
Seamless redirects
Single page application (SPA) support **
Focused on A/B testing
Optimizely Web Experimentation Checkout, Subscription pages
Critical personalized experiences
Powerful targeting
PCI compliance available

- Already set up to track conversions (shared with Edge experiments)
Optimizely Feature Experimentation Everywhere
Backend and frontend
Search algorithm and pricing
New cart features
SDKs in backend languages
Control over core application / site code and functionality

- Zero latency

The following page triggers for dynamic websites are now available for Optimizely Performance Edge: Immediately, When a callback is called, When the DOM changes, When a JavaScript condition is true, and Manually. The following page conditions for dynamic websites are now available for Performance Edge: URL Match, Element is present, and JavaScript condition.

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Running Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation together

Please note that you cannot run a Optimizely Performance Edge experiment and a Web experiment on the same page at the same time. For more information, see our FAQ .

Core functionality

Optimizely Performance Edge uses a smart, lightweight microsnippet that enables you to deliver client-side web experiments to your site visitors faster.

Feature CategoryFeature
Visual Editor
(WYSIWYG)
Insert HTML
Edit HTML
Style changes
Rearrange
Redirects
Code EditorCustom JavaScript**
Custom CSS
Page TriggersImmediately
Manually*
When the URL Changes*
When the DOM Changes*
Page ConditionsURL Match
Element is Present*
JavaScript Condition*
Audience conditionsCookie
Device
Browser
Query Parameter
IP Address
Location
Event trackingClick events
Pageview events
Custom events**

*These page triggers and conditions are available. Please get in touch with your account team if you would like access to these features.

**Performance Edge uses a different JavaScript API from Web. Instead of using window.optimizely to use the API as you would in Web, you'll need to use window.optimizelyEdge. See the Performance Edge API reference for more.

Optimizely Web Experimentation and Optimizely Performance Edge feature support

Create and Deliver Experiences

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?Comments
ExperimentsYes
Visual EditorYes
Preview ModeNoForce variation IDs work and you can preview from the visual editor on a variation-by-variation basis, but there is no preview mode with a preview widget in it
Experiment Change HistoryYes
Traffic AllocationYesSticky bucketing is not supported if changes in traffic are made mid-experiment
Cross-Browser TestingYes
Project JavaScriptYes
Dynamic Website SupportYes
Experiment SchedulerYes
ExtensionsYes

Experiment Types

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?
Multi-Page (Funnel) TestsYes
Multiple Variation (A/B/n) TestsYes
Multivariate Testing (MVT)No
Stats AcceleratorNo
Multi-Armed BanditsNo
Mutually Exclusive ExperimentsYes

Implementation

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?
One-Line ImplementationYes
Custom SnippetsNo

Results and Results Segmentation

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?Comments
Exit / Bounce rateNoThis type of metric is only compatible for Personalization campaigns which is currently not supported
Browser TypeYes
Device TypeYes
Referrer SegmentationYes
Source Type SegmentationYes
Campaign Results PageNoPersonalization Campaigns are not supported
Experiment Results PageYes
Stats EngineYes
CSV ExportYes
Bot FilteringYes
Cross-Project EventsYes
Custom AttributesNo
Offline EventsYes
Custom EventsYes

Page Triggers

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?Comments
ImmediateYes
ManuallyYesRequires Support for Dynamic Web Pages to be enabled
When URL ChangesYesRequires Support for Dynamic Web Pages to be enabled
When DOM ChangesYesRequires Support for Dynamic Web Pages to be enabled
PollingNo (incompatible)Polling page trigger is incompatible with Performance Edge due to fundamental technical limitations
CallbackNo (incompatible)Callback page trigger is incompatible with Performance Edge due to fundamental technical limitations

Page Conditions

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?Comments
URL MatchYes
Element is PresentYesRequires Support for Dynamic Web Pages to be enabled
JavaScript ConditionYesRequires Support for Dynamic Web Pages to be enabled
CallbackNo (incompatible)Callback page condition is incompatible with Performance Edge due to fundamental technical limitations

Audience Targeting

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?Comments
Audience BuilderYes
Referrer URLNo
Query ParameterYes
Custom JavaScriptNo
CookiesYes
IP AddressYes
Traffic SourceNo
DeviceYes
BrowserYes
LanguageNo
Ad CampaignNoThere is a workaround using query parameters, however, that targeting condition is not sticky. Please view on documentation on Audience Conditions
New vs Returning VisitorsNo
Geotargeting (Location)Yes
Time of DayNo
Custom AttributesNo (incompatible)Custom Attributes for audience targeting is incompatible with Performance Edge due to fundamental technical limitations
Platform/OSNo

Security and Administrative Control

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?
PCI Compliant SnippetNo

Advanced Personalization

Optimizely Web FeatureSupported in Performance Edge?
Adaptive Audiences Add-onNo (incompatible)
Adaptive RecommendationsNo
Dynamic Customer ProfileNo
External AttributesNo
Personalization CampaignsNo
Uploaded AudiencesNo
Behavioral TargetingNo
Third Party Data AudienceNo
Campaign Results PageNo

Analytics Integrations

Optimizely Web Experimentation FeatureSupported in Optimizely Performance Edge?
Out-of-Box One-Click Integrations (GA, Adobe, etc)No
Custom Analytics Integrations supported via custom ProjectJSYes