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What the heck is 'Dynamic' Ad Rate?
Lots of people have been noticing goofy stuff going on with their promoted ad rates and suggested ad rates, and today I found THIS when I went to promote an item that wasn't promoted (using the feature in Seller Hub, Active Listings, not by opening the item for revision). Normally the popup just asks what ad rate I want to set, and it shows the suggested ad rate. But now it's pre-set to this "Dynamic" thing, so you have to change it to Fixed in order to set your own rate. Now I ASSUME 'Dynamic' is just a flashier rebranding of 'Automated' (which already existed) but I don't know if it's exactly the same thing.
Oh and of course Dynamic is "recommended." Let me guess, the suggested ad rate always goes UP, never down, huh? How conveeeenient. 🤣
kh-taylarie
·2 years agoDue to the age of this thread, it will be locked in order to keep discussions current. If you have the same or a similar question/issue we invite you to start a new thread on the topic.
an-57470
·2 years agoabsolute rip off yet again by Ebay ( the sellers friends - I dont think) Tried it out, sold an item for £7.99 incl postage, ended up with £5.09 from Ebay , now have to pay £2.90 for postage as I have to be competitive and end up with £2.19 for a product that cost me £1.90. Thanks Ebay. Tried to end item and relist ( I HAVE A FEW) BUT STILL DYNAMIC COMES UP So will sell elsewhere. No wonder they are losing sellers. Wont even bother going into an item that buyer returned as 'changed his mind '
gurlcat
OP2 years agoIf you choose 'Relist' then yes all the settings you had will apply again. If you want to change things like promotion (or anything else), choose 'Sell Similar' instead.
vintagecraze50
·3 years agoIt goes up if others are promoting higher and probably goes down, probably not, if other sellers are lowering their ad rates. Not for me. I guess they use some king of sophisticated calculation measure to see what other sellers selling the same types of items are using and an average that out in that category. I have no idea.
westchestervillage
·3 years agoYea its strange to allow to check both the set ad rate cap and also the adjust dynamic ad rate since the ad rate cap is really the max you will be charged no matter if you put 1 million on the adjust ad rate.
Not at all complaining but I can see where this can lead to confusion to allow both to be filled out when the ad rate cap is the main thing.
I guess one can say 15% ad rate cap and put like 5% for adjust dynamic rate but then again, why not just put 100% if you have an ad rate cap anyhow. lol I might be understanding this all wrong though. I probably am. lol
westchestervillage
·3 years agoSo if we do this, I won't be charged more than 2% no matter if I put 100% or 10000000% in the dynamic ad rate field?
Why then allow you to pick adjust dynamic ad rate if you have an ad rate cap set at 2% or whatever you like?
Honestly asking.
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·3 years agoSince 2% is the absolute minimum, ebay would expect that you would probably use fixed ad rate for that. However, it is YOUR choice. Some sellers run continuous campaigns, and so may run a dynamic campaign starting at 2% but gradually modifying that over time, so for them, 2% could make sense.
As to how the cap works, if you set the cap at, say, 9%, and suggested rates are 7% and 10%, your items at the suggested rate of 7% would be charged at 7%, since 7% is lower than the cap, and your items at 10% suggested rate would be charged at 9%, since the cap is lower than the suggested rate. Suggested rates can vary on a daily basis, so the cap makes sure you don't exceed 9%.
The "adjust dynamic ad rate" can be an adjustment up or down.
To keep it simple, let's say your cap is 9% and your suggested rate is 7%. You can use the adjustment to add, say, .5% to the suggested rate. If you do that, you will be charged 7.5%, rather than the suggested rate of 7%. You can also set it to reduce the suggested rate, so if you set it for -.5%, you would be charged 6.5% on a suggested rate of 7%.
Now, again with a cap of 9%, if you have two suggested rates, one at 8% and one at 9%, and you have the adjustment set at +.5%, you would be charged 8.5% for the suggested 8% rate, but only 9% for the suggested 9%, since the +.5% would not be added, as it would exceed the cap.
Hope this helps.
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·3 years agoTo add a bit to that:
Some sellers feel it is important to always be above the suggested rate (within their cap), so they might use the +.5% or +1%, whatever. Other sellers want to cap the rate, but also feel the suggested rates are too high (even though they are below the cap), so the "minus" adjustment gives them the flexibility to both cap (so they never exceed the max) AND to keep all their rates beneath the suggested rates.
It's all about providing more flexibility than the fixed rate provides. But many will just stick with say 2 or 3% fixed rate regardless of the suggested rates.
It all depends on the individual sellers. (and of course, many will simply not use PLS at all.
westchestervillage
·3 years agoMakes sense. Thanks to you both for explaining it to me. Helped a lot.
westchestervillage
·3 years agoThanks, this actually helped me understand. Appreciate it.
gurlcat
OP3 years agoAsk yourself this: if Automated and Dynamic are exactly the same thing, then why do both still exist? If it were merely a name change, why is Automated still a separate option available to use?
But more importantly ask yourself THIS: If the suggested ad rate is really based on system-wide data and ONLY that data (with no part of the algorithm having anything to do with your item's individual history, as far as number of days listed, number of views, etc.), then why do you never see the SAR go DOWN, why does it always increase? Does that sound like "fluctuation" to you?
The only time you see the SAR that is truly based on all listings in a category is when you first create the listing for an item in that category, and I should add, a brand-new from-scratch listing, not a 'sell similar' one from some other listing you already had posted (or sold). If you think there's anything natural about an item's SAR shooting up from (say) 5% the day you listed it, to 12% only a week or so later, sorry but that's naive. Now if you want to let a bot shoot your ad rates up like that for the "convenience" of not having to mess with it or even look at it ...... hey I'm not naysaying that, just saying I sure couldn't afford to give up that much of my profit. And it wouldn't be worth it to have the item over-promoted (way above the legit SAR) ....whatever "over-promoted" would even look like. I mean, we're all still assuming that a higher ad rate really makes a listing get "more" promotion. But I don't think we even know what that means anymore. Used to mean higher up in search results, but I have not observed that in careful experiments I've done recently.
Isn't it convenient how the promotion algorithms are "too complex" for clarity or predictability of any kind?
zamo-zuan
·3 years agoI've also tested investing more in PLS recently and observed the same thing in experiments, but that isn't different from past experiments for us. I'd mentioned on here quite a few times that it's more of a "switch" that turns on and off for us.
We discussed the dynamic rates yesterday here, but the problem is, it doesn't do anything in our category. When all the listings are either 7% or 11%, it's fairly useless, as I can GUARANTEE that nobody in this category is investing that much. The margins are far too tight. It's not possible, period.
But even if testing at 7%, it doesn't make a difference anyway. It's just a "switch" and it's only possible for the switch to be on or off - it's not possible for a switch to be "more on".
bestdeals4ebuyers
·3 years agoWhat is SAR and what is PLS??
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 years agoI'm wondering the same thing as @zamo-zuan , how is this any different than the former Automated PL? It sounds exactly the same to me & I've been using the Automated for a long time now. @brian_burke@ebay
Also, I just set up a new "Dynamic" campaign & everything is the same as with the former "Automated". I saw absolutely no difference! The Automated changed once a day too. Even the verbiage on the screen says it changes once a day, not "in real time" (or alternatively in real time once a day lol). I don't get what the difference is or why there isn't any clarity on what appears to just be a re-branding of what's been in effect for at least a year now. @valueaddedresource Is there ANYTHING different between Dynamic & Automated?
Not sure why all the sarcasm & naysayers either. IF you use PL's, the Automated/Dynamic IS super convenient! That's why I've been using it. It works great!
valueaddedresource
·3 years ago@simply-the-best-for-you I'm with you on this one. I don't see anything obvious that is different, so my inclination is to say it's a change of name only, but it sure would be nice if we could get *someone* at eBay to just directly say that.
That's the reason I added the quotes from the podcast today - I thought maybe finally we had found a difference, but that appears not to be the case so....I'm stumped.
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 years ago@valueaddedresource
I appreciate you adding those quotes, as I haven't heard the podcast, but as soon as I read it, I knew that wasn't the case, there's no way they were changing it in what most of us consider "real time" - continuously at a frequent interval (every second or minute), there's just no way. Having an IT background, it was obvious to me that that wasn't the case b/c that massive level of updating is VERY resource-intensive & though there are some applications where it's necessary, this isn't one. The resource-usage would far outstrip any benefit. Frankly there wouldn't be much benefit either, the changes from second to second or minute to minute, would not be significant, typically.
ITA though it would be REALLY helpful if someone at Ebay confirmed or denied that this is simply a name change & nothing else!
valueaddedresource
·3 years ago@simply-the-best-for-you Yeah I definitely thought truly "in real time" was very unlikely for all the reasons you mentioned but...when two eBay employees say it multiple times, especially when no one else at eBay is giving any definitive answers.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It's sad that eBay doesn't seem to get the lack of clear, direct answers on simple stuff like this hurts them all around.
Those who were already skeptical or had a negative opinion about PL have had their opinions confirmed because it seems like there could be a "gotcha" in here somewhere.
Those who have had a positive experience with this particular function of PL may become wary of it or less likely to recommend it/share their positive experience with others because now they aren't sure if it's actually the same thing or not.
It should be pretty easy for them to confirm or deny if it is simply just a name change and I have no idea why they wouldn't want to.
postcardcountry
·3 years agoWhy am I being punished?
Why does "dynamic ad rate" have to be the default?
I like fixed rate. Period. No intention of ever using "dynamic ad rate".
How do I get it to default to fixed rate?
brian_burke@ebay
Gurlcat and everyone else,
We did change the name, but it also makes Promoted Listings Standard more efficient for sellers since no matter the Promoted Listings Standard campaign setup sellers now have the option to automate ad rates to match the daily suggested ad rate. This can save sellers time and is more efficient.
Sellers who are concerned about the change should test there way in. We have over 100 million buyers, try it on a percentage of your listings, you can even set caps on what you are willing to spend. But this allows you to be competitive without having to manually adjust your rate. Select the listing in the most competitive categories to start. You can adjust your strategy as you learn what works best for your listings.
In response to a question later in this thread...the dynamic ad rate is adjusted every 24 hours.
Thanks for selling in eBay.
Brian
valueaddedresource
·3 years agoThanks for the additional info @brian_burke@ebay !
zamo-zuan
·3 years agoI'm sorry if I missed the explanation, but what exactly is the difference between what you just explained and the old system?
The old "automated" system also adjusted to meet the suggested ad rates with the same cap.
It sounds like the same exact system is being explained as "more efficient"?
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·3 years ago@valueaddedresource I think the difference may be that there are three types of PLS campaigns, and previously not all had this ability...now all three do. But I haven't checked into it carefully, because I don't think there's any real difference in functionality between automated and dynamic. As to the "real time" thing, I assumed they just meant that the rate may change in the background throughout the day, but whatever rate it's at 24 hours after the last recommended rate, that's the rate that is shown to the seller. So the only rate that matters is the one at 24 hour intervals.
I also want to add, credit where credit is due---both Brian and Griff stressed experimenting with different rates, etc and advised sellers not to spend more than they need to.
valueaddedresource
·3 years ago@my-cottage-books-and-antiques it is only available for Simple and Automated campaigns, not for Bulk.
"For new campaigns, this update is now a selection when you’re creating a Simple or Automated campaign.
Note that this is not a feature available for bulk campaigns."
my-cottage-books-and-antiques
·3 years ago@valueaddedresource Thanks for checking that.
meme6253
·3 years agoI Won't Use It!, I Don't TRUST It!
the-hook-and-the-loop
·3 years agoEveryone that responded here made it much more difficult than it needed to be. Everyone answers, but doesn't know the answer. Dynamic is the same as Automated, The END.
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 years ago@elizabeth@ebay
@devon@ebay
We're suddenly seeing a number of questions on this. Can one of you please confirm if this is simply the PL Automated that already exists (which I've been using for a long time) or is this some type of new program & if so, how does it differ from PLAutomated (not PL Advanced) - why you all named 2 things PLA, I will never understand 😃 There appears to be at least 1 difference b/c another post was saying there's no Ad Cap & PLA (Automated) DOES have an AD Cap.
What are the differences please? Mentors did not get any advanced warning on this, so sorry, I have no clue.
devon@ebay
Hey @simply-the-best-for-you! This is something that recently was introduced from our Promoted Listings and more details on how dynamic ads work can be seen here.
ghost-star
·3 years agoWhere is the page where I can place a cap on the dynamic ad rate? I see an image of it on the page you provided, but I can't find that option anywhere.
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 years agoIt goes both up & down. I've used it for over a year, in the Automated version. Not sure if this is different or just another name for what's already been avl for over a year.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 years agoJust as it states; it's the amount of percentage of additional Final Value Fee that ebay 'suggests' would be the 'magic number' to get you near the top. Choosing that means you are ok with them 'raising' as needed.
Google/Bing has been doing this for over a decade. Pay per Click. You bid against others selling the same thing, per 'word phrase' and they tell you how much you need to 'bid' (pay) to be #1 on the 1st page.
gurlcat
OP3 years agoSorry but I don't think you understood what I was asking. I understand the words in the popup, but this same mechanism already existed; it was called Automated Ad Rate. And knowing Ebay, the way something works may not be as simple as stated. So I'm trying to figure out whether Dynamic is REALLY the same as Automated, or if there is some unstated difference. I know one thing is for sure, the popup for adding promotion to a listing did NOT offer to make it automated, let alone make it the default choice, so that is definitely new.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 years agothe word 'Dynamic' means it's constantly 'changing'
It is a new word with the same meaning.
To 'control' what percentage someone uses; it's best to NEVER use that system.
Probably 'once in- hard or impossible to get out'.
gurlcat
OP3 years agoI don't know what words to use that would convince you I already know what words mean, lol. If you are asserting that Dynamic Ad Rate is ONLY the new name for Automated Ad Rate, with zero difference in mechanisms, how do you know that? Just because they 'sound' the same? You've been here a long time, surely you can think of plenty of cases where Ebay's 'Help' page description of how something worked turned out to be a lot more complicated, usually in ways that people didn't like once they ran into those complications.
But about not using this feature, I agree. I just think it's still worth dissecting in case anyone else reading is considering using it.
prairieprimitives
·2 years agoWhen a site changes the name of something, it seems to change the algorithm that goes with it. Saw this on the other "E" site. They used to call their ads "Promoted Listings" and they worked fine. When they changed the name to "E*** Ads" they no longer worked, so it seems pretty obvious that more than the name was changed.
I use PL Standard so I can set my own rates. eBay is suggesting between 9 and 12% (and more recently as high as 15%) for my PL's (this is up from 3 to 4% less than 2 years ago!). And this is in addition to 13.whatever% Excuuuuse me? Just no. Sure, I could add the cost of the ads on to the selling price, but I've already done that. Where is it gonna stop, eBay? When you've chased all of the "domestic" sellers off the site?
simply-the-best-for-you
·3 years agoI know what dynamic means, but IF it's the same thing as Automated, it only changes ONCE A DAY.
I love that system & have used it since it first became avl. You still have control over both the max rate you'll use & what %age above or below, so not sure why you would tell people to "NEVER" use it. It's actually great for certain sellers. It's also very easy to get into or out of, you simply choose of the other PL options, of the avl 3.
valueaddedresource
·3 years ago@simply-the-best-for-you @gurlcat - in today's eBay for Business podcast both @griff@ebay.com and @brian_burke@ebay said Dynamic ad rate changes "in real time".
https://community.ebay.com/t5/eBay-for-Business/Ep-236-Hobby-vs-Business-Selling-How-to-Determine-Which-One-Fits/ba-p/33666181
Griff: A lot. So I thought we'd take a stab at answering this. And I wanted to start off by reminding Tike and anyone else who's using this new feature, the dynamic rate is just that. It's dynamic in real time. It's the average based on what sellers are indicating as a percentage when they're in that category and selecting, uh, you know, the same keywords and everything and it's similar items, it also changes in real time. Thus that's why it's dynamic based on the current rate activity. So actually if every seller used the suggested dynamic rate, that rate would probably stabilize at the rate amount cuz everyone would be using it.
Brian: But that's not what happens in real life because that rate is suggested not mandated. And so many sellers will indicate rates that are higher or lower than the suggested rate. Even if it is dynamic changing in real time.
@devon@ebay can you please confirm with @adsteam@ebay if this correct? Previously Automated rate would adjust based on the suggested ad rate once a day - if it is now truly "in real time" that is a significant change that sellers need to be aware of.
gurlcat
OP3 years agoEliminating the seller's ability to set a cap -that is exactly the kind of difference I was concerned about, that Dynamic could have, and note how that tidy little explanation in the popup doesn't mention it! And who knows if it's the ONLY difference.
valueaddedresource
·3 years ago@gurlcat @stainlessenginecovers @simply-the-best-for-you
Both the simple and automated campaign types are still showing the option to cap the ad rate from what I can see.
Simple:
Automated:
gurlcat
OP3 years agoThank you. That looks different from what the poster in the other thread was showing (where there was no place to set a cap percentage). I don't know what's going on, I guess I'll just stay out of it as I have no intention of ever letting a bot jack my ad rate up arbitrarily.
valueaddedresource
·3 years ago@gurlcat from looking at that other post it appears to be a difference in whether you are looking at it in the listing flow or the campaign view.
My screenshot was from where you create a campaign in Seller Hub, theirs was in the listing flow.
I've noticed some changes in the listing flow that seem to be causing issues/confusion for some sellers. I don't believe it used to force you to select or create a campaign when opting in to PL from the listing flow, but now it does.
I can see how that would be frustrating for sellers who want to manage ad settings for each listing individually - basically you would end up with one campaign for each listing if you tried to do it that way, which is definitely not ideal.
My guess is eBay is trying to get sellers to move to using campaigns and grouping items together in ad groups, but either way, you should still be able to set the ad cap within the campaign settings.
iamalwaysright
·3 years agoNext week the suggested rate will be 100% lol.
Ebay loves to change words around to try to sound less edgy or intense and spare the feelings of the ebayer, sometimes confusing us.
Automated > Dynamic. Trying to sound less robotic and more personal or exciting
Escalate > Ask to step in. Sounds less confrontational/scary
Vacation mode > Time Away. Sounds less committed and intense
Unpaid Item Strike > Cancellation. Sounds less mean to buyer
ambera215
·3 years agoI believe you are right, but what's sad is that many sellers don't mind throwing money away, and helping eBay reach their profit goals at the sellers/buyers expense. If no one used the feature, surely they would take it away, and they would definitely not try to push it on us if we don't want it. They would "suggest" we pick an ad rate of 300% if they could. At this point they are just another greedy corporation, but I don't think this is the best way to compete with the amazonians.
luckythewinner
·3 years agoBut you never actually asked that question. You just danced around it. 😀