How to Run Ads on Amazon: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

How to Run Ads on Amazon: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

Hobo.Video - How to Run Ads on Amazon - Sponsored Ads

Introduction

If you sell on Amazon, visibility decides everything. You may have a great product, strong pricing, and solid reviews. Still, without visibility, sales stay flat. That is where How to Run Ads on Amazon becomes important for every beginner. Amazon now hosts over 1.9 million active sellers worldwide, and India is growing fast. According to Marketplace Pulse, more than 50 percent of sales come from third-party sellers. Therefore, learning Amazon advertising for beginners is no longer optional. It is survival.

1. Why Amazon Ads Matter for New Sellers

Amazon ads place your product exactly where buyers already search. Unlike social ads, shoppers on Amazon already want to buy. That intent changes the game. This guide explains how to run ads on Amazon using clear steps, real examples, and practical insights. You will understand Amazon PPC basics, costs, strategy, and optimization. Most importantly, you will learn how beginners can avoid burning money.


2. What Is Amazon Advertising and How It Works

Amazon advertising allows sellers to promote products inside Amazon search results, product pages, and even off-Amazon properties. These ads work on a pay-per-click model. You pay only when someone clicks. This model forms the base of Amazon PPC basics.

2.1 Types of Amazon Sponsored Ads

Amazon offers three main ad formats. Each serves a different goal.

  1. Sponsored Products promote individual listings.
  2. Sponsored Brands highlight brand storefronts.
  3. Sponsored Display retarget shoppers across Amazon.

For beginners, Sponsored Products matter most. They are easy to launch and scale. When people ask how to create Amazon sponsored ads, this is the best starting point. Sponsored ads appear within search results and product pages. As a result, they blend naturally with organic listings.

2.2 Why Amazon Ads Are Different from Google or Instagram

Amazon ads work at the bottom of the funnel. People searching already plan to buy. On Google, intent varies. On Instagram, intent is mostly discovery. Therefore, Amazon sponsored ads convert faster. Many sellers see conversion rates between 8 to 15 percent, which beats most platforms.


3. Is Amazon Advertising Worth It for Beginners?

Many first-time sellers ask, is Amazon advertising worth it for beginners? The short answer is yes, but only when done right. Amazon ads reward relevance and consistency. Beginners often fail because they rush setup or skip optimization.

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3.1 Real Cost vs Real Value

Amazon earned over $56.21 billion U.S. dollars from advertising in 2024, as reported by Statista. This growth happened because sellers see value. Ads help new listings rank organically. They also generate data fast. Even if early ads run at low profit, they build momentum.

3.2 Common Beginner Mistakes

Most beginners face losses due to poor keyword targeting. Others forget negative keywords. Some expect instant profit. Amazon ads need patience. Learning Amazon ads step by step prevents frustration and wasted spend.


4. How Much Does Amazon Advertising Cost?

Understanding cost matters before launching campaigns. Many sellers fear high spending. However, Amazon ads offer full control.

4.1 Average CPC in India

In India, average cost per click ranges between ₹5 to ₹25 for most categories. Competitive niches like electronics can go higher. Beauty and home categories often stay affordable. Therefore, how much does Amazon advertising cost depends on category and competition.

4.2 Setting a Safe Beginner Budget

Beginners should start with ₹500 to ₹1,000 per day. This budget gives enough data without risk. Daily budgets can change anytime. That flexibility makes Amazon advertising for beginners safer than most platforms.


5. Step-by-Step Setup: How to Run Amazon Ads for Beginners

This section explains how to run Amazon ads for beginners using a clean process. Follow each step carefully.

5.1 Step 1: Prepare Your Product Listing

Ads amplify your listing. They cannot fix weak pages. Therefore, optimize title, images, bullet points, and description. Use clear keywords. Add lifestyle images. Products with less than three images struggle.

5.2 Step 2: Choose Sponsored Products

Start with Sponsored Products only. Go to Seller Central. Click Advertising. Select Campaign Manager. Choose Sponsored Products. This answers the first question of how to run ads on Amazon.

5.3 Step 3: Select Automatic Targeting First

Automatic campaigns let Amazon choose keywords. They collect data fast. Beginners should always start here. It simplifies Amazon PPC basics.

5.4 Step 4: Set Budget and Bids

Set daily budget at ₹500 minimum. Use suggested bids. Avoid aggressive bidding initially. Control spend and learn patterns.


6. Manual Campaigns: Scaling the Right Way

After 7 to 10 days, data becomes useful. Now manual campaigns come into play.

6.1 Keyword Research Basics

Use Search Term Report from automatic campaigns. Identify converting keywords. These keywords move into manual campaigns. This method shows Amazon ads step by step in real life.

6.2 Match Types Explained Simply

Manual campaigns use three match types.

  1. Broad match gives discovery.
  2. Phrase match balances control.
  3. Exact match gives precision.

Beginners should start with phrase and exact. Broad match wastes budget if unmanaged.


7. How to Optimize Amazon Ads for Better ROI

Optimization separates profit from loss. Learning how to optimize Amazon ads keeps costs controlled.

7.1 Add Negative Keywords Regularly

Negative keywords block wasteful searches. Check reports weekly. Add negatives fast. This step alone improves ROI sharply. It also helps identify high-intent terms that drive real sales, refining your overall campaign strategy.

7.2 Adjust Bids Based on Performance

Increase bids on keywords with sales. Reduce bids on keywords without conversions. Simple logic works best. Amazon rewards relevance. Regular bid adjustments ensure budget is spent on terms that truly matter, improving ad efficiency.

7.3 Optimize Listings Alongside Ads

Ads reflect listing quality. Improve images. Add A+ content. According to Amazon data, A+ content can increase sales by up to 10 percent. High-quality listings combined with ads boost conversion rates and long-term visibility on Amazon.


8. Advanced Tips Still Suitable for Beginners

Advanced does not mean complicated. These steps remain beginner friendly.

8.1 Dayparting Strategy

Run ads during high-conversion hours. Many Indian sellers see better results between 8 AM and 11 PM. Pause night hours if sales drop. Monitoring hourly performance allows beginners to maximize efficiency without increasing overall spend.

8.2 Placement Bid Adjustments

Increase bids for top-of-search placements gradually. This boosts visibility where buyers click most. Strategic placement adjustments help capture premium traffic and improve ROI without overspending.


9. Role of Influencer Marketing and UGC in Amazon Ads

Amazon ads work best when supported by trust signals. This is where influencer marketing matters.

9.1 Why UGC Videos Improve Ad Results

UGC Videos show real usage. They build confidence. Listings with videos convert better. Amazon reports listings with video see higher engagement.

9.2 AI Influencer Marketing and Amazon Growth

AI influencer marketing helps brands scale UGC fast. Platforms like Hobo.Video connect brands with creators efficiently. This approach supports whole truth marketing.

9.3 Using Influencers Beyond Amazon

Top influencers in India help drive external traffic. Famous Instagram influencers create demand. Amazon rewards external traffic with better organic ranking.


10. Brand Building Alongside Amazon Ads

Amazon ads drive sales. Branding drives longevity. Combining both ensures sustained growth and stronger customer trust over time.

10.1 Becoming the Influencer in Your Niche

Learning how to become an influencer as a brand matters. Share value. Educate buyers. Build trust. Positioning your brand as an authority helps improve both ad performance and organic conversions.

10.2 Where Influencer Platforms Help

The best influencer platform simplifies execution. Influencer marketing India now blends content, data, and automation. Platforms like Hobo.Video make it easier to connect with the right creators and scale campaigns efficiently.


11. Common Questions Beginners Ask Before Scaling

Beginners often hesitate before scaling ads. Understanding the right timing and metrics reduces risk and ensures growth.

11.1 When Should You Increase Budget?

Scale only after stable conversions. Avoid scaling during loss periods. Monitor metrics like ACOS, CTR, and ROAS consistently to determine safe budget increases. Gradual increments prevent overspending and maintain profitability.

11.2 When to Stop a Campaign?

Stop campaigns without sales after 14 days. Data decides, not emotion. Check trends in clicks, impressions, and conversion rates to confirm performance issues before pausing. Avoid reacting to short-term fluctuations.


Summary and Key Learnings

Key Takeaways

  • Learn how to run ads on Amazon step by step.
  • Start with Sponsored Products.
  • Control budget tightly.
  • Optimize weekly.
  • Support ads with influencer marketing and UGC.

About Hobo.Video

Hobo.Video is India’s leading AI-powered influencer marketing and UGC company. With over 2.25 million creators, it offers end-to-end campaign management designed for brand growth. The platform combines AI and human strategy for maximum ROI.

Services Include

  • Influencer marketing
  • UGC content creation
  • Celebrity endorsements
  • Product feedback and testing
  • Marketplace and seller reputation management
  • Regional and niche influencer campaigns

Trusted by top brands like Himalaya, Wipro, Symphony, Baidyanath, and the Good Glamm Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

1: How long does Amazon ads take to show results?

Amazon ads usually show impressions within hours. Sales may take days. Beginners should wait at least 7 days before judging performance. Early clicks build data. Patience helps algorithms learn.

2: Can beginners run Amazon ads without agencies?

Yes. Seller Central makes setup simple. Beginners can manage ads themselves. However, expert help saves time and cost at scale.

3: What is the safest ad type for beginners?

Sponsored Products with automatic targeting remain safest. They require less expertise and generate data quickly.

4: How often should ads be optimized?

Weekly optimization works best. Daily changes confuse algorithms. Consistency matters.

5: Are Amazon ads expensive compared to Facebook?

Amazon ads often cost less per sale. Purchase intent stays higher. Therefore, ROI improves faster.

6: Should I run ads on all products?

Start with best-selling or well-reviewed products. Weak listings waste budget.

7: How important are reviews for ads?

Very important. Products with less than 10 reviews convert poorly. Focus on review generation first.

8: Can influencer content help Amazon ads?

Yes. UGC videos and influencer content improve trust. They increase conversion rates.

9: What budget suits new Indian sellers?

₹500 to ₹1,000 daily works well. Increase slowly after sales stabilize.

10: When should I seek expert support?

When scaling beyond ₹5,000 daily spend. Experts prevent costly mistakes.

By Sapna G

Sapan Garg lives where ideas turn into impact and brands meet their real audience. At Hobo.Video, he uncovers how influencer voices and community power shape authentic marketing. At Foundlanes, she dives into growth playbooks, startup wins (and failures), and what founders are really chasing in India’s hustle economy. She is big on cutting through noise and getting to the “why” behind every trend. Strategy is his comfort zone, but storytelling is his tool. When she is not busy writing, you’ll find him analyzing how brands scale, or scribbling thoughts on what the next breakout campaign might look like.