PPC Den: Amazon PPC Advertising Mastery

In this episode, Michael sits down with Brent Zahradnik to dive deep into how to find products that actually sell on Amazon — without spending a dime on ads. Brent breaks down his exact process for spotting organic winners, sharing real-life examples, tools, and tips that helped him build a successful Amazon business.They cover how to analyze market trends, read customer signals, and pick products that practically sell themselves. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your store, our insights will help you avoid costly mistakes and find products with real potential. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

What's up, Badger Nation? Mike here, camping in the Cascades, hunting for the elusive North American badger  and some killer Amazon PPC tips.In this episode, we dive into the power of negative keywords and why doing a negative keyword reset could seriously level up your ad game. Think of it like clearing out the old to make space for the new — your product and market change, so your negatives should too.I share smart ways to reset negatives without chaos, why timing (hello, seasonality!) matters, and how to get more control over your PPC traffic flow.If you've been scared to add negatives because “what if I need them later?” — here's the secret: you can take them off again. This reset lets you clean up wasted spend AND test new opportunities.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Today, Elizabeth Greene and I dove into one of the most misunderstood topics in Amazon advertising — vCPM in Sponsored Brands campaigns. Mike still hears people say how great the low ACOS looks for vCPM, but we broke down why that can be misleading.We talked about the difference between CPC and vCPM, how attribution works (clicks vs views), and how ACOS is calculated depending on what data source you're looking at — ad console, bulk files, API, or AMC. We also discussed when vCPM actually makes sense and when it doesn't. Spoiler ⚠️: don't use it for brand defense.We walked through how vCPM can become cheaper than CPC if your CTR is high enough, the creative and retargeting advantages it can offer, and why Mike sees less than 5% of ad budgets going to vCPM even in his best accounts.If you've ever been confused about why you can't switch from vCPM to CPC, or how to measure true performance in SB campaigns  this episode is for you.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode of the PPC Den podcast, Michael dives into the world of Amazon PPC metrics, and trust us, things get tasty. He compares your PPC performance to TACoS —yes, TACoS! Michael breaks down key metrics like ACOS, TACOS, and ROAS, explaining how each one impacts your campaign's flavor and success. Grab your Amazon PPC metrics (or maybe just a really tasty Mexican taco) and tune in for this savory breakdown!We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Are you Scared Sammy or Aggressive Andy? In this solo episode, Michael walks through takeaways from The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, and how those lessons apply to your Amazon PPC Campaigns. He'll discuss the importance of luck, the bias of recency, managing search term reports,  different scenarios implementing these lessons through Scared Sammy and Aggressive Andy, and more!This episode is a rerelease of one of our most popular episodes. Please note the resources and link section for any relevant updates.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode with Sean Stone, we dive into the zone of possibility on Amazon. Ever wonder if your product can actually rank, or are you just throwing ad spend into the wind? We'll break it all down — how to spot real rankable opportunities, why your conversion rate is your secret weapon, and how to build smart, isolated keyword budgets that actually make sense.Oh, and before we get serious, you'll hear some fun warm-up stories — like why Sean has a Walt Disney mug he didn't choose himself, and why Nicolas Cage and The Rock are now his permanent office coworkers.If you're ready to think differently about PPC and get more out of what you already have — this one's for you.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode with Noemi Bolojan, we're talking about something a lot of people miss — the sneaky defaults in Amazon ads that quietly eat up your budget. You set up a campaign, trust the platform to guide you, and boom — money's leaking without you even noticing.Noemi breaks down how things like automatic bidding (yep, it goes up and down by default), broad targeting, and off-Amazon ads all kick in unless you change them. Sounds helpful, right? But in reality, those settings often work better for Amazon than they do for you.Think your product is getting shown to the right audience? Not always. Default category targeting or expanded targeting might be pushing your ads to places they don't belong — and you're paying for it. So if you're running ads in 2025, this episode is a little wake-up call. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

You're listening to the PPC Den Podcast.In this episode, I'm diving into a topic that's been on my mind lately. It all started when I was cleaning up a client's search term report. At first glance, things looked fine. Decent ACoS, plenty of conversions, nothing too dramatic. So I kept digging. And that's when I noticed it — this pattern inside the search terms. A couple of words, just two or three, that kept repeating across multiple phrases. That's when it hit me — this is an N-Gram problem.In today's episode, I'll walk you through what N-Gram Laddering is, how I used it to clean up that account, and how you can apply it to your own search term reports.  If you've ever felt like your campaigns are doing okay, but not great — this might be the insight you didn't know you needed.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Badger Nation,  we just dropped an epic episode with Joe from Ad Advance and it's straight-up fire. AMC is like unlocking a secret door to your most valuable customers. I'm talking about those people who viewed your product, added it to cart, but didn't buy—and you can bring them back with precision.Good news, AMC finally lets you layer audiences on top of your Sponsored Product campaigns. Amazon made it super easy too.  A few clicks and you're creating killer campaigns that hit your most valuable prospects exactly when it matters.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Hello Badger Nation,In this episode, we're joined by Mike Frekey for a practical and insightful look into Amazon's Product Opportunity Explorer. Mike walks us through real use cases (including a wild one involving “cool thing for mom” and a surprise detour into music boxing machines).The big insight?  You don't have to guess what the market wants—Amazon is telling you. You just have to know where (and how) to look.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you realize you've been looking at something the wrong way this whole time? Yeah, that's exactly what happened in this episode.Michael from Ad Badger sat down with Abe Chomali, and they got real about something a lot of Amazon sellers don't want to admit—just because your ads are bringing in sales doesn't mean you're actually making money. They talked about why ACOS can be super misleading, how some brands are spending more and somehow making less, and why profitability is the real metric that matters. Also, did you know there's an entire eBay market for failed startup swag? Because I didn't, and now I can't stop thinking about it.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Whenever we have a guest, we aim for the best, and this episode is no exception. Mansour Norouzi, Director of Advertising and Partner at Incrementum Digital, joins the show to break down Amazon's new “Top Conversion Paths” report. This tool, now available in the Amazon Advertising Console, helps sellers understand how customers interact with different ad types before making a purchase. Mansour and Mike discuss how this data can reveal hidden touchpoints, challenge traditional last-click attribution, and reshape how advertisers allocate their budgets.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael from Ad Badger shares the one Amazon PPC fix you're probably ignoring, and it's surprisingly easy. No need for complicated strategies or extra spend—just a simple tweak that can instantly improve your results: adjusting your keyword match types. Most sellers overlook this, but once you understand it, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.If you're ready to stop wasting money and start seeing real improvements, hit play and learn the easiest fix to boost your Amazon PPC performance.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, we revisit the classic Research, Peel, Stick & Block (RPSB) strategy with Clément Hynaux, campaign manager at Ad Badger. Originally introduced in 2018, we break down how it has evolved over the years, whether it's still relevant in 2025, and how to adapt it to modern Amazon PPC practices. We dive into campaign structure, which is much more complex than it seems, and discuss why it's more like "vegetables"

After being internet friends for years, Mina Elias, founder of Trivium, finally joins Michael on the show to share his thorough analysis of how to conduct an Amazon PPC campaign audit, including what timeframes to consider, what strategies to use when fixing underperforming campaigns, and what step-by-step actions to prioritize when identifying profitable search terms, and more. It's a jam-packed episode, and you'll want to take notes! Enjoy!This episode is a rerelease of one of our most popular episodes. Please note the resources and link section for any relevant updates.We'll see you in The PPC Den!Disclaimer: In this episode, Michael says the Ad Badger Apps optimizes almost 2 million bids a day, but as of this publishing date, we actually optimize nearly 3 million bids per day.

Have you heard of Ngram analysis? Even if you have, do you know how to actually use it? Most people understand what it is but aren't sure how to apply it effectively.Today, together with Michael Tejeda, we're breaking down Ngram optimization and how it can help you manage your Amazon advertising. We'll show you how to identify search terms that are wasting your budget and uncover hidden opportunities for growth.This isn't just theory. We'll go through real examples, step-by-step actions, and practical insights to help you analyze your data and improve your campaign performance.We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Happy Valentine's Day, Badger Nation! It's time to pour some Chardonnay, turn on the jazz, and throw some rose petals on the ground because today, we're talking about the Amazon PPC optimizations we love to do. Іn this special Valentine's episode, we're putting aside the usual PPC frustrations and focusing on 3 Amazon PPC optimizations I absolutely love—strategies that will help you fall in love with your results and boost your performance. Visit our website, search for “Ad Badger Amazon PPC Checklist,” and let us send some love your way with a free checklist straight to your inbox!

The most successful Amazon marketers think big-picture about their teams. Does your Amazon Growth Team contain these nine key players?  In this week's epic episode, Michael and Steven Pope take inspiration from Marvel Cinematic Universe to explain which superhero is the best metaphorical hire for each role that your business needs for perfect synergy.  Note: While having Avengers knowledge is beneficial, we believe anyone could understand what we mean. Here's the Avenger's Wiki page if you need it. This episode is a rerelease of one of our most popular episodes. Please note the resources and link section for any relevant updates. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, join Mike and Mike Danford as they dive deep into a controversial Amazon PPC strategy that many sellers overlook but could save you thousands. Are your ads failing because you're not testing placement-specific campaigns? Let's talk about what we uncovered. Here's the hard truth: most Amazon sellers waste up to 90% of their ad spend on clicks that don't convert. Shocking, right? But it doesn't have to be this way. In this episode, we break down why duplicating campaigns and focusing on specific placements like product pages or search results can revolutionize your PPC strategy. Mike Danford, a seasoned pro from Adverio, shares how his team achieved single-digit ACOS by splitting campaigns into two distinct groups—one optimized for top-of-search results, the other laser-focused on product page placements. Curious about how this works? We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode with Mina Elias from Trivium, we explored TikTok Shop and its impact on Amazon PPC. At first, we weren't sure it was worth the effort—TikTok seemed chaotic compared to Amazon's predictable PPC campaigns. But after seeing how younger shoppers use TikTok to discover products, we decided to test it. We started small: listed one product, worked with creators to make videos, and ran a few ads.  SPOILER: Yes, Amazon PPC sellers should try TikTok Shop.  We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael dives into one of the biggest PPC headaches: non-converting spend. He doesn't hold back, starting with a shocking stat—$500,000 wasted annually on clicks that don't convert. If your ACOS feels out of control, it's not because of your converting clicks. It's those silent budget thieves—non-converting ones—that are dragging you down. Non-converting spend hides in your reports, and most people ignore it after their first analysis. By the end of the episode, Michael doesn't just show you how to clean up your account; he makes you see non-converting spending for what it is—a fixable problem. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael sits down with Sean Stone of Stone's Goods to break down the essentials of Amazon listings. They talk about when and why it's time to update or create one. Launching a new product? Your listing isn't just there to fill space. It's the first impression your product makes. Great images, sharp copy, and the right keywords are the foundation.  But it's not just about new products. Sean explains how search term data can guide updates. Then there's the competition. Michael and Sean dive into what to do when a competitor is outperforming you. Maybe their copy highlights benefits better, or their images feel more professional. Instead of just watching them win, use their strengths to improve your own game. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael and Brent Zahradnik of AMZ Pathfinder look ahead to 2025 and talk about what's changing in Amazon advertising. From enhanced analytics and new data in Brand Analytics to AI integration and sponsored ad optimization, they dive into the future of digital advertising. You'll learn how Amazon Marketing Cloud is changing data analysis, what new creative possibilities Generative AI offers, and why Sponsored Display is becoming more dynamic. The focus also includes ADSP updates, process automation, and how these innovations can make your campaigns more effective. This episode is for anyone who wants to stay ahead in the world of Amazon advertising and adapt to the changes new technologies will bring. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

You're sipping cocoa, maybe rocking a festive sweater, thinking, ‘Did I really survive this year?' Hi, I'm Michael Erickson Facchin, and yes, you did.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Emma from Marketing by Emma to uncover 11 things ruining your Amazon listings — and some of them are downright embarrassing. If you're still stuffing keywords like it's 2016 or using ALL CAPS to scream at your customers, this one's for you. Emma pulls no punches. Emojis in your bullets? Amazon says no. Satisfaction guarantees? Not allowed. And let's talk about those comparison charts — you get one. Just one. Mike keeps it real, throwing in stories about keyword stuffing from the early SEO days (shoutout to Lexus for hiding white text on white backgrounds — we see you), while Emma reminds us that Amazon's AI is smarter than you think. This isn't 2016 anymore. You can't trick the system, and you definitely can't trick your customers. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Got high ACoS driving you crazy? In this solo chat, Michael breaks down a simple but game-changing idea: setting minimum and maximum bids in your Amazon PPC campaigns. You'll learn when to push bids higher, when to pull them back, and how to stay in control without losing your mind (or your money). Michael breaks it all down: how to stay competitive with ranking keywords, when to cap your bids, and how to use revenue per click (RPC) to nail your target ACoS. Simple tips, real examples. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Emma Shermer Tamir of Marketing by Emma joins Michael this week to offer a concise strategy for writing Amazon product listings that real humans can read and understand so you can appeal to customers and not just bots. Amazon's primary focus is the customer's experience, so it should be yours too. This episode is for you if you want to know what a clear listing really looks like! This episode is a rerelease of one of our most popular episodes. Please note the resources and link section for any relevant updates. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode with Elizabeth Greene from Junglr, we share 6 smart ways to win on Black Friday. Stop wasting time refreshing Ad Console—it's not showing the full picture. We'll show you why Business Reports are your real MVP. Bleeding keywords? Gone. Runaway budgets? Handled. Data delays? Laughable. We'll also cover why untested keywords and runaway budgets can ruin your sales. If your prep work fell through or you're still scrambling, this is the no-fluff guide you need to stay in control and win big. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, we're cutting through the noise and diving straight into what Amazon DSP, AMC, and Streaming TV really mean for your ad strategy. Together with Sam Lee from Trivium, we're exposing the behind-the-scenes insights Amazon won't spell out—how DSP can impact your bottom line, where AMC's data advantage actually kicks in, and why so many brands are still missing the mark by ignoring the customer journey. We'll show you exactly when to use AMC's data to validate your ad spend, when DSP is just burning cash, and why first-click and last-click attribution are more than just metrics—they're the key to finding out if your strategy's worth it. If you're ready to stop wasting budget and make every click count, this episode is your wake-up call. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael teams up with Amazon PPC expert Blair Forrest to tackle one of the biggest challenges sellers are facing right now: Amazon's new inbound placement fees. These sneaky fees are quietly chipping away at sellers' profits, and most don't even realize how much they're paying. Did you know Amazon now charges you extra just to split your shipments across its warehouses? Michael and Blair break down exactly how these fees work, why they've become every seller's nightmare, and, most importantly, how you can fight back. They'll reveal the surprising tricks to slash these costs — from choosing the right number of warehouses to partnering with prep centers that can save you thousands. They even explore how some brands have completely sidestepped Amazon's fees by thinking outside the box. If you're tired of watching Amazon eat into your margins, this episode is packed with clear, actionable strategies that can make a real difference. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this solo podcast, Michael Erickson Facchin is here to make sure you don't just “survive” Amazon's Q4 madness—you dominate it. Cyber Monday, Black Friday, holiday shopping chaos? Bring it on. Michael's breaking down his no-BS strategy to pump up your bids, ramp up your budgets, and grab every sale you can. Think you can just ride the wave? Think again. Not this season! Because as Michael says, sitting back with a coffee on Black Friday might just cost you the big bucks.  Plus, it's the one time of year Ad Badger offers their exclusive discount.  Don't let Santa's sleigh pass you by—gear up and get ready to conquer Q4 like a pro! Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss our biggest annual sale—stay in the loop for our best offers all year! We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Ever feel overwhelmed by all those “let me audit your Amazon PPC account” offers? If you've been told a simple audit will give you a “perfect” account, it's time for a reality check. In this episode, we're breaking down why a flawless PPC account doesn't exist—and why the real secret to success is staying active, testing, and evolving. Joining us is Noemi Bolojan  from Scale Wave, a talented Amazon PPC marketer and friend of the show, here for her fifth episode. Together, we'll explore how audits can actually help when they're used as a tool for growth, not a quick fix. So if you're looking to take your Amazon PPC to the next level, tune in as we uncover the real path to progress. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael sits down with Shane White  of Nobul Partners to reveal the untold secrets behind AI video ads and why top Amazon sellers are keeping them under wraps. Together, they dig into how AI is transforming video ad creation, boosting click-through rates, and why creative optimization is the next big thing in Amazon advertising. Shane shares how his team has been experimenting with AI video for nearly a year, delivering 5x higher conversion rates for their clients.  From using 3D renders to customizing video for specific keywords, this episode gives you a real inside look at how AI is making video ads faster, cheaper, and more effective. ‘We're creating ads that finally hit the mark without the crazy price tag,' Shane says, as they walk through practical examples and tips you can start using today. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In This Special Episode of the PPC Den Podcast... Badger Nation, it's time to celebrate!

In this episode, Mike teams up with Michael Tejeda to tackle the ultimate Amazon challenge: can you actually make more money by spending less? They broke down the wild ride of an aggressive Amazon brand that hit the brakes on top-line growth, switched gears, and managed to turn things around for a massive profit boost. Expect hard truths, strategic pivots, and just a little bit of "Amazon wizardry." Tune in for the story of the great profit reset. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this solo episode, Mike dives into the ACOS Weather Report for September 2024. The metrics are cooling off, with ACOS creeping up and conversion rates taking a little nosedive. It seems like September wasn't the hottest month for Amazon PPC, but Mike breaks down why it's not all bad news. He even points out why your revenue per click might be needing a little extra warmth this month.  We'll see you in The PPC Den!

If 100% of your time is solely devoted to growing PPC sales, then you are missing most pieces of the marketing puzzle. Advertisers, this is your wake-up call.  Ryan and Mike overview 5 of the most important factors that influence Amazon ranking, speed round style. By learning about seller authority, impressions and CTR, conversion rate, existing sales on Amazon, and off site sales, you'll finish this episode with an elevated understanding of what it takes to run circles around your competitors.  This episode is a rerelease of one of our most popular episodes. Please note the resources and link section for any relevant updates. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

It's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the strategies available for all of the campaign types, even more so when Amazon releases anything new. Don't freak out. You need a strong mental model like the one Noemi Bolojan of ScaleWave.io shares in this episode.  Once you understand the different strategies– protect, conquer, rank, dominate, and discover– you'll be able to categorize your needs by strategy easily.

In this podcast, I take you inside a real Amazon PPC account where I track down every non-converting dollar, showing you how most of it isn't truly wasted but rather the cost of exploration. I share my own experience of sifting through search term reports, finding those sneaky one-click wonders that add up fast but hold the key to your next big optimization. You'll hear how I tackled $2,700 of non-converting spend, broke down the myths of “wasted” clicks, and turned it into actionable insights. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

Want to know what really goes on behind the scenes in Amazon brand management? Michael sits down with Josh Rawe and Brady Tieland from AmpliSell to explore the ins and outs of managing Amazon brands. They share how to balance SOPs with creativity, spot red flags in ad accounts, and handle scaling ad spend without wasting money. Discover the tactics that separate the good brand managers from the great ones and get insider tips on mastering unbranded traffic with top-tier listings and testing. Don't miss this episode—tune in now and level up your brand management skills! We'll see you in The PPC Den!

You're on a well-deserved vacation

In this episode, Michael and Clément Hynaux, a campaign manager at Ad Badger, uncover the secrets to a successful transition from a service-based business to SaaS. Have you ever wondered how a business changes when moving from providing services to a SaaS model? Michael and Clément share their trials and triumphs on this battlefield.  Learn how to delegate tasks effectively, adapt strategies, and avoid common mistakes that could be costly for your business. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael talks with Jeremy Suelflow from Summit Product Development, an Amazon seller who's cracked the code on boosting his PPC campaigns with clever search term strategies. They dive into the tactics that are fueling Jeremy's success—approaches that could be the key to either soaring sales or getting left behind. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael and Elizabeth Greene from Junglr discuss Amazon's new tool – the SKU Economics Report. They explain how it can help you optimize your advertising campaigns and boost profitability. Are you losing money on Amazon PPC due to a lack of precise cost data? The SKU Economics Report eliminates the headache of analyzing costs and revenues. It helps you identify your most profitable products and understand which advertising strategies truly work. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this solo episode, Michael will reveal strategies to minimize wasted spend in Amazon PPC. Imagine a streamlined PPC campaign where every dollar is maximized, and wasted spend becomes a distant memory. That's the focus of this episode. We'll delve into the concept of wasted spend, guiding you on how to identify and effectively eliminate it. Tune in to transform your PPC campaigns and make each dollar work harder for you. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael and Andy Craig from AdHabit talk about how conversion rate affects your ACOS on Amazon. They explain unit session percentage, why listing optimization matters, and how price testing can help. Andy shares tips for small brands to improve their conversion rates and beat the competition. Tune in for simple, actionable advice to boost your sales and lower your ACOS. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael and guest Mike Frekey from IG PPC discuss aligning team goals and maximizing Amazon PPC performance using data tools. How do you ensure everyone is on the same page? The answer lies in leveraging Brand Analytics and Search Query Performance. Want to know how these tools can supercharge your PPC strategy? Michael and Mike Frekey break it down step-by-step, sharing actionable tips for seamless team collaboration and data-driven success. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael teams up with Mansour Norouzi from Incrementum Digital to dive into the nitty-gritty of performing a market pulse check. They'll break down the tricks of analyzing market trends, conversion rates, and key Amazon tools to uncover why your sales are dipping. From interpreting Category Insights and Product Opportunity Explorer data to actionable strategies for responding to market changes, they've got you covered. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael teams up with Mansour Norouzi from Incrementum Digital to dive into the nitty-gritty of performing a market pulse check. They'll break down the tricks of analyzing market trends, conversion rates, and key Amazon tools to uncover why your sales are dipping. From interpreting Category Insights and Product Opportunity Explorer data to actionable strategies for responding to market changes, they've got you covered. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this solo episode, Michael shares unique insights on low ACOS accounts and the secrets behind their success. He'll dive deep into the power of negative keyword management, something you won't hear anywhere else. Have you struggled with managing your keywords? Understanding how to use negative keywords can make a big difference. By the end of this episode, you'll know how to improve your ACOS with these tips and tricks on negative keyword management. We'll see you in The PPC Den!

In this episode, Michael and Laura from Envision Horizons will talk about balancing technical and creative strategies in Amazon PPC. They will reveal how to combine data-driven tactics with creative approaches to boost your Amazon ads. They will also discuss the challenges and solutions of integrating these two aspects. Additionally, they will share tips on managing teams and best practices for creating effective marketing strategies. We'll see you in The PPC Den!