Top Mistakes to Avoid with Amazon Sponsored Product Ads

So, you’ve decided to dive into Amazon ads. Bold move. But…here’s the thing—if you’re not careful, your ad budget could vanish faster than a bag of chips at a party. Seriously. I’ve seen sellers throw hundreds into Sponsored Products and wonder why sales stayed flat. Yeah, I didn’t believe it either, until I saw it happen.

Anyway, let’s chat about the mistakes you might be making—and how a good amazon ppc agency can keep you from face-planting.

1. Picking the Wrong Keywords (It Happens More Than You Think)

Here’s a quick story: A friend of mine launched a campaign for “eco-friendly water bottles.” Sounds solid, right? Except the ad was showing up for “cheap plastic bottles.” Ouch. Clicks, yes. Conversions…not so much.

You got to be picky with keywords. Think like a buyer. What would you actually type in? And honestly, don’t be afraid to ditch keywords that aren’t pulling weight.

2. Ignoring Competition

I get it—you think your product is so unique, competition doesn’t matter. But it does. If you’re jumping into a niche swarmed with big names, your ads are basically invisible. Not fun.

A smart amazon ppc agency knows how to analyze competitors, spot gaps, and help you pick a battlefield you actually have a shot in.

3. No Clear Goals

Some sellers just throw money at ads and…wait. Wait for what? Sales? Ranking? A miracle?

Setting an ACoS target (Advertising Cost of Sale) isn’t optional. Even a rough number is better than nothing. Otherwise, you’re flying blind. And to be fair, who wants that stress?

4. Forgetting Negative Keywords

This one’s sneaky. You think, “Sure, more impressions = more sales!” But nope. Showing your ad to someone looking for something totally unrelated? Money down the drain.

Negative keywords are like that friend who stops you from making dumb decisions. You need them.

5. Bad Product Listings

Ads can only do so much. Your product page is the real MVP. Poor photos, boring titles, meh descriptions…even the best ad won’t save you.

Honestly, a few tweaks can make a huge difference. And yes, an amazon ppc agency can help optimize here too—they don’t just run ads, they look at the full picture.

6. Not Testing Ads

Running the same ad for months and expecting magic? Yeah…not gonna happen. A/B testing isn’t optional if you want results.

Switch up images, tweak copy, change targeting—see what clicks. It’s trial and error, but smarter trial.

7. Overbidding or Underbidding

Some sellers go wild with bids thinking more = better. Others bid so low, their ads don’t even show.

It’s a balance. And figuring it out yourself? Possible. But easier if you have an amazon ppc agency in your corner. They’ve seen it all, trust me.

8. Disorganized Campaigns

Random campaigns, scattered keywords, no structure. That’s chaos.

Structured campaigns make reporting easier. Optimizing easier. Basically…life easier.

The Bottom Line

Look, running Amazon Sponsored Product ads isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not “set it and forget it.” Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll save cash, time, and headaches. And honestly, if all this seems a bit overwhelming, an amazon ppc agency can be your safety net. They keep things tight, efficient, and profitable—so you can focus on selling instead of stressing.

Simple. Clean. Done.