If I Don’t Promote - I Don’t Get As Many Views

[pf9000]

It wasn’t like that in the past. The views have dropped drastically ever since Ad Rate was introduced for those who don’t promote.

[inhawaii]

Not surprising.

Promoting usually gets you more views.

That's the reason sellers promote.

[jonathanbrightlight]

When we promoted, we had more Impressions than we had either before or after we used the promotions (it's been 9-10 months since we last promoted anything), which makes sense, because that's how promotions work, you get more impressions, meaning your items show up in more searches, but sometimes less relevant ones than if you don't use promotions.

We had fewer Views and Sales when we promoted our listings, however.

My theory is that because it was more likely our listings would show up when they were not as relevant, compared to organic searches where they should almost always be relevant unless we made a mistake in the listing, our items are more likely to be clicked on from those search results (leading to Views) and our competitive prices and good descriptions/photos can seal the deal from there.

So you absolutely don't need to promote to get views or sales.  The only thing it affected for us was Impressions, and it was not worth it in our case.

[qurat-81]

Yes, promotion helps boost visibility, but make sure your title, pricing, and photos are also well-optimized for better results.

[pf9000]

Advertising optimization has now become so distracting as to trick people away from the un-promoted listings.

[sakic92710]

I promoted a few of my listings & lucky to get 1-2 more views.   lol  However, I sell from Canada & that seems to have turned into a negative.  For 2 decades, it was not.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

If sellers would just put the time in on their listings with details, measurements, clean close-up photos, and call out any issues in the description area, they will get more sales and can avoid getting sucked into additional fees to promote. 

Some shoppers will just pass on such listings and skip asking questions.

[pls-consignments]

Just remember that the algorithm ALSO rewards quality listings, which only cost your effort. 😉

[redlinear · Accepted solution]

My "item" sales increased when I promoted.    Due to the added expense, my "net $" amount did not increase.
I simply worked harder for the same money. 
I then promoted at a higher %, AND I incresed my prices by an even HIGHER %.
My "item" sales dropped. But my "net $" increased.  
Now I'm working less for the same money.

[fillyourclosetsfrommystore]

I totally agree with you, Sextons.  I put 3-6 measurements on clothes listings and 3-6 on a music book.  And I constantly see listings with nothing........AND they don't accept returns...........I write and say "no measurements, no pictures of music to know the level of difficulty and no returns makes for a very risky purchase". It's amazing how much common sense that is and how many sellers have the "can't be bothered syndrome" when creating listings. I just had a response from one who said 'it's not risky to buy from me, I have great feedback". .......totally missed the point. I would never buy printed music sight unseen.....anymore than I would buy clothes without measurements knowing that both won't take returns.  Totally frustrated am I!

[pf9000]

My listings are not getting enough views. It’s frustrating selling on a media that hides unpromoted items.

[animal-house-8]

"The views have dropped drastically ever since Ad Rate was introduced" Well sure they did, ebay has stockholders, if they did not bury the non-promoted ads then they would be right there with the promoted ads which would be counterproductive to stockholders getting value, that's business. They really want you to promote of course so they have to make your sales bad or you will not ever do it. Some items don't need promoting saturated categories will.

[youn2240]

Sounds like proof promoting listings works.

[inhawaii]

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@pf9000 wrote:

My listings are not getting enough views. It’s frustrating selling on a media that hides unpromoted items.

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Ebay does not "hide" listings that aren't promoted.

I manage 2-5 sales a day with nothing promoted.

So much for your theory.