# How do I change alert thresholds, also per category?

> On the Rules tab you switch alert types on or off and set their thresholds, for your whole account or as an exception for one category.
>
> en | updated 2026-09-28 | https://priceq.io/help/en/alerts-and-reports/alert-thresholds-per-category

Open **Alerts** and choose **Rules**. Each alert type has a switch, a short description and, where it applies, a number you can change. A rule covers your whole account unless you add an exception for a category underneath it.

## The numbers you can set

- **Competitor undercuts me**: **threshold %**, 5 by default. The alert turns critical at twice this number.
- **Sudden price move**: **threshold %**, 15 by default.
- **OOS at multiple retailers**: **count**, the number of shops that must be out of stock. 3 by default.
- **Retailer dropped product**: **days** without a fresh price. 3 by default.
- **Stock gap** and **New retailer** show **no threshold**. They are simply on or off.

Type a number and click outside the field to save it. The switch saves as soon as you click it. A percentage of 0 means every difference counts, however small. You need the **Member** role or higher to change rules.

## When a change takes effect

priceq applies your rules at its daily check at 06:30 UTC. After a stricter threshold, alerts that no longer qualify close at that check. After a looser one, new alerts appear at that check.

Switching a type off stops new alerts of that type. Alerts that are already open stay until you handle them.

## Exceptions per category

Under each type, choose **add a category** and pick one from **pick a category…**. The list only offers categories that do not have an exception for this type yet. The new exception appears under **exceptions per category**, switched on and with the standard threshold. Change its number or its switch like any other rule.

For products in that category, the exception replaces the account-wide rule completely. So you can switch a type off for one category, or set a stricter threshold for an expensive one. Choose **remove** to delete the exception, and the account-wide rule applies again.

Categories come from your catalogue. See [Managing your catalogue](/help/en/products-and-sources/managing-your-catalogue).

## Types that are not on this tab

**Competitor cheaper** and **Structurally more expensive** are not listed here. What each type does is explained in [What makes each type of alert fire?](/help/en/alerts-and-reports/what-triggers-each-alert). E-mail delivery is set separately, see [How do I get alerts by e-mail?](/help/en/alerts-and-reports/alert-emails)