To promote listings or not, what works for you? Are you increasing %, unchanged or switching off?

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

With the new changes coming in on promoted listings where you "pay if your promoted listing is clicked" and sells within 30 days, causing some debate, was interested to see if other sellers use promoted listings, what percentage do you set, what type of promotion you use and what works for  you?  Do you sell without any promotion?  Promoted v's not promoted?  Have you recently switched them off with this announcement, will remain unchanged or increase rate?  If you have increased or switched off what are your findings? Would be interested to see. Will you be switching off when this comes into practice or remain the same? With all the changes here and ever increasing fees it is hard to know what to do for the best and what will work, if anything.

On another community chat someone posted their stats where they had recently switched off which was quite interesting, obviously a lot depends on what you sell and the market for it.  Post what you do, how it works for you and maybe show us your promotion/not promoted stats and the type of products you sell.

[9150simon]

I think ebay may be watching my posts!! (not paranoid yet).   I have just received a message from them which reads:-

Bulk edit listings in minutes:-

Send Offers

Add Best Offer

Add Item Specifics

Promote Listings

Launch a Sale Event

Add Multi Buy

Spooky after my last post!

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

You might get a special offer invite next for promoted listings!

[twofourdeltasurplus]

Well, nearly a month in from turning the ebay cash cow PL off there is no visible difference in impressions for myself, nor has it slowed sales down or effected them one tiny little bit.

So read into that what you will

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

Thanks for sharing your chart, it is very interesting to see how others are fairing without any promotions.  Let us know if anything changes as of 24/6/25 when this new "pay if your promoted item is clicked" comes into effect.  I am still finding sales dire, more or less everything I sell is still promoted. Oddly enough what I have sold since 9th June, even though all promoted none were charged for promotion?

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

Just slightly off topic, I found the following below on AI chat (not sure how reliable or accurate it is?) about why, if like me, ending a listing with poor views and relisting again using selling similar suddenly has no impact when you are led to believe it is regarded as a new listing hence moving it up in the search:

 Why “End & Sell Similar” Might Not Be Working Anymore

• eBay’s algorithm has evolved: Krylov (their machine-learning engine) now recognizes reused photos, titles, and item specifics. If your “new” listing looks too much like the old one, it may not get a visibility boost.

• Minimal edits = minimal impact: If you’re not tweaking titles, photos, or item specifics meaningfully, the algorithm may treat it as a stale repeat.

• High-frequency relisting can backfire: Daily relisting might signal desperation or spammy

• behavior to the algorithm, especially if engagement stays low.

• 🔧 What to Try Instead

  1. Batch Refresh Weekly, Not Daily

  • End and sell similar in themed batches

  • This gives each group a chance to breathe and lets you track what’s working.

  2. Change More Than Just the Listing ID

  • Retitle with new keyword order or emotional hooks.

  • Swap the lead photo—even a slight crop or background change helps.

  • Add or adjust item specifics (e.g. “Style: Rustic” or “Theme: Industrial Heritage”).

  3. Run a 48-hour Sale Before Ending

  • Some sellers report better results when they run a markdown sale, then end and sell similar after it ends. It creates a sense of urgency and resets the price anchor.

  • 4. Use “Send Offers to Watchers” Before Ending

    • Even if you only have 1 watcher, send a small discount offer before ending. It might convert a sale or at least trigger algorithmic engagement.

    5. Test a Few Listings with New Photos

    • Try rephotographing 5–10 listings with a lifestyle setup or props (e.g. a vintage desk, plant, or ruler for scale). See if those get more views.

[twofourdeltasurplus]

I am keeping an eye on the chart to see what happens, however it seems to be dragging it's heals at updating, still stuck at yesterday, but slowly going up.

Few sales already this morning, may look at your ideas on refreshing poorer performing listings as well, but its finding the time to do this, on top of everything else a one man band has to contend with.

Off stock shopping today, so hope the gods are smiling on me and there are gems to be found.

[9150simon]

That's pretty interesting and may explain why the fact that I do "Sell Similar" most days doesn't have the effect that it used to.

Also item 5 - test a few listings with new photos, is a bit bemusing as ebay say you are better not to have props - just a blank background and nothing else in the photo - MMMM I may try something new then.

Does anyone else have much luck with the sending out offers to watchers, as although it used to generate good sales, I now think people are fairly jaded to receiving offers and when I send out up to a hundred offers with 10/15/20% off, I am lucky if I get 1 or 2% accepted.  Same with sales, the past few I have put on of up to 20% off have made very little difference to sales.

[oceanartsnorthdevon]

I think the AI advise got the "props in photos" slightly out of context.  Looking into that further ebay does advise plain background/white as main photo, I think the "props" advise is a possibility for additional photos.

Same here not many takers on offers, think it has become the norm for views/watchers to expect an offer that it is now having little impact as probably so many are sent out that it gives the buyer more choice/best prices to weigh up their options.

[9150simon]

Yes I did read somewhere that buyers who watch were getting "offer overload", but if they don't want offers being sent, they shouldn't watch.  We keep looking for the magic pill that will give us our sales back, but don't think it exists. 🤔