> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.repdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manual Sources (Add Supplier)

> Route traffic from your own supplier contracts through Research Desk with Defender checks and unified reconciliation.

**Manual Source** (shown as **Add Supplier** in the UI) lets you field sample from suppliers you contract directly — while still centralizing links, quality checks, monitoring, and reconciliation inside Research Desk.

## When to use manual sources

| Scenario                            | Why Manual Source                                                                    |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Existing supplier relationships** | You already have CPI agreements with Lucid, Dynata, or another vendor                |
| **Markets outside Buy Sample**      | The country-language is not in [Live Markets](/research-desk/guides/16-live-markets) |
| **Specialty panels**                | B2B, healthcare, or other panels not available via Internal Source                   |
| **Blended sample plans**            | Combine Buy Sample with one or more manual suppliers                                 |

## What Research Desk provides

Manual sources still route respondents through Research Defender (SEARCH, ACTIVITY, REVIEW) before they enter your survey. You get:

* Centralized supplier entry links inside the project
* Consistent fraud and quality screening
* Traffic monitoring alongside Internal sources
* [Reconciliation](/research-desk/guides/07-reconciliation) and [cost reporting](/research-desk/guides/22-billing-and-margins) in one place
* [Export by supplier](/research-desk/guides/12-exporting-and-reporting) for vendor cost confirmation

## Create a manual source

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your survey">
    Navigate to the **Sources** tab on a configured survey.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add Supplier">
    Opens the manual source creation flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the source">
    Use a descriptive name that identifies the supplier and audience (for example, Dynata US GenPop).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure supplier link">
    Set the entry link your supplier will use to send respondents into Research Desk.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set redirect URLs">
    Provide disposition redirect URLs so the supplier receives the correct outcome (complete, terminate, over-quota, security) when respondents exit Research Desk.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set target and pricing">
    Enter respondent target, buy price (BCPI), and any qualifications or quotas that apply.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch">
    Set the source to Live after validating redirects with **Test Survey**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Redirect requirements

Your survey must have working [entry links and redirects](/research-desk/guides/04-entry-links-and-redirects) before launching manual traffic. Suppliers depend on accurate disposition codes to compensate respondents.

Test complete and terminate paths in an **incognito window** before going live. High abandon rates from broken redirects throttle traffic across all source types.

## Monitoring manual traffic

Manual sources appear alongside Internal sources on the Sources tab and in traffic reports. Watch for:

* **Defender terms** — pre-survey quality blocks (see [Research Defender in Research Desk](/research-desk/guides/21-research-defender))
* **Abandons** — often broken redirects or survey UX issues
* **Over-quotas** — quota cells full but still receiving entrants

Use [Performance Indicators](/research-desk/guides/13-performance-indicators) and [Managing Fieldwork](/research-desk/guides/05-managing-fieldwork) to diagnose issues.

## Reconciliation and billing

Completes from manual sources follow the same [reconciliation rules](/research-desk/guides/07-reconciliation) as Internal sources — billable by default unless rejected during the reconciliation window.

Export **IDs by Supplier** during reconciliation to confirm costs with external vendors. Use **Export Cost Summary** from the project menu for a financial breakdown by source.

## Blending sources

Many projects combine Buy Sample and manual suppliers:

1. Launch gen pop via **Buy Sample** as your baseline
2. Add manual sources for niche segments or specific panels
3. Set supplier caps to maintain sample diversity
4. Monitor quota balance across all sources daily

## Related guides

* [Configuring Sources](/research-desk/guides/03-configuring-sources) — Overview of all source types
* [Entry Links and Redirects](/research-desk/guides/04-entry-links-and-redirects)
* [Reconciliation](/research-desk/guides/07-reconciliation)
* [Billing and Margins](/research-desk/guides/22-billing-and-margins)