# How proof trees work

A proof tree is the sequence those popups play in, and where they show. Click **Create Proof Tree** in WP Proof.

A tree assigned to a page (or to that page’s categories) is enough for popups to appear. Split tests and page view trackers are extras.

## The sequence

The tree is a list of lines. It plays line 1, then line 2, and so on, then loops.

If a line has more than one proof element, one is picked at random.

You can mix types from line to line: a review, then a certification, then recent quote requests.

You can also put several popups on the same line so they rotate. Example: a few related review popups on one line (only one shows at a time), then a badge on the next line, then a “how many people requested a quote” popup on the next line.

## Adding proof elements

On the tree screen, add proof elements with **Add New**, or pick a saved one. You can also create them from the dashboard with **Create Proof Element**, then add them to the tree.

If [AI Proof Generation](/docs/ai-proof-generation) already drafted a tree, you are on this screen. Look the popups over, edit anything you want, save, then assign where the tree shows.

## Where the tree shows

On the same screen, pick one targeting mode:

- **Selected Pages** — only those URLs
- **Pages in These Categories** — any page or post in the categories you pick
- **All Except Selected Pages** — everywhere but those URLs

See [Where popups show](/docs/where-popups-show). For groups of pages such as Heating vs AC, see [Different proof on groups of pages](/docs/categories).

If you are going to put a split test on those pages (or those categories), you can skip assigning pages on the tree. The split test takes over when both match.