I'm not sure on this one. I got it to go under the nuLOOM Alexa 'My Soft and Plush' Shag Rug (8' x 10'), and I had this vision that it would make the area rug much more plushy. I mean, I've been at conference centers, and I know what a nice carpet padding can do under foot. I'm not sure that this one did much of anything in that regard. As for keeping the area rug in place, perhaps it helped there because, as I was getting everything situated I had to move big pieces of furniture around without the help of man muscles, and the area rug stayed in place. I did have to work to make sure the rug pad wasn't sticking out on any of the sides. When it did it looked like the area rug's slip was showing. So, I think it's helpful, but I'm not really sure.