# Automatic Cascade

*Article Topics:* [*Cascades*](/getting-started/common-topics/cascades.md)

NATS offers a feature called "Autocascade", which allows visitors to bypass the standard NATS pre-join form and go directly to a biller join form. As a result, the Automatic Cascade feature will also bypass the authentication procedure in the NATS pre-join form.

To use the Automatic Cascade feature, navigate to the [Billers Admin ](/nats-admin/billers.md)and edit the biller [cascade](/additional-resources/common-terms.md#cascade) you would like to affect. Under the "Details" tab, you can either set the cascade's weight to *256*, or update the Type to "Automatic Cascade." 

<figure><img src="/files/zRXpNVW7roNU6Y0upQO6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To learn how to create a new Cascade, see "[How to Add, Hide, Disable and Restore a Cascade.](/nats-admin/billers/common-questions/how-to-add-hide-disable-and-restore-a-cascade.md)"

## Normal Join Form and Cascading Behavior

Typically, when visitors click a join form link, it will take them to the NATS pre-join form. This form captures their information and checks your database to see if their desired username and email address have already been taken. After submission, the NATS pre-join form validates the data submitted and sends the visitor to the first biller in your cascade's join form.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://tmmwiki.com/images/thumb/5/5a/Autocascade_normal_flow.jpg/450px-Autocascade_normal_flow.jpg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/XJ1ouQwHrJpUZhbs174s" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If Automatic Cascading is enabled in the NATS Billers Admin, then NATS will bypass the NATS pre-join form and automatically send the visitor to the biller's join form.&#x20;

Normally if a visitor hits a NATS pre-join form, completes the form, and never fully signs up, you'll see a record similar to that of the Figure below.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/FSyd2iXEtw2L4YdAyUYA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

However, if Automatic Cascading has been enabled, you'll see accounts that look more like that of the following Figure.

<figure><img src="/files/QPdKRALxf7DITiLA7Gsu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you take a closer look at the member record in the first example, you will notice that it contains a username, password, and email address. This information was recorded in the NATS pre-join form, and allows you to reference this member's record in the future or use the information for a subsequent never-joined advertisement [campaign](/additional-resources/common-terms.md#campaign).&#x20;

As for the member record in the second example, because it was created through an Automatic Cascade, it contains no visitor-submitted data. This makes it essentially a useless record, as it contains no important member information.

## Benefits and Drawbacks of Automatically Cascading

Many visitors prefer Automatic Cascades, as it generally reduces the amount of information necessary to sign up. When a potential member only has a single [join form ](/additional-resources/common-terms.md#join-form)to complete, instead of multiple, they will generally be more receptive to completing the transaction.

In contrast, many clients and [affiliates ](/additional-resources/common-terms.md#affiliate)prefer the regular cascading method and pre-join form, as it is usually more practical. The regular method allows you to retain future marketing information and also have a pre-join record of that visitor that can be used for future troubleshooting.

## Related Articles

{% content-ref url="/pages/EM4AXTEA69LAWpjwJEW4" %}
[Cascades](/nats-admin/billers/cascades.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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