PPC Detectives: Solving Amazon’s Most Mysterious Performance Crimes

This episode is all about one of the smartest Amazon PPC bidding systems you’ll ever come across. Priscilla, our guest, has spent years building her own custom bidding logic — not using software, but by creating a super detailed, data-heavy Excel system that she keeps improving over time. She breaks keywords into different behavior groups, figures out how many clicks each match type really needs to get a sale, checks organic rank, placements, inventory signals, and basically connects all those data points to decide exactly how every bid should move. What’s cool is that she didn’t learn this from any tool — she built it herself after studying a giant Excel file a VA once gave her. If you want to hear how someone can take PPC bidding way deeper than “raise bid, lower bid,” this episode is a super interesting look into how Priscilla thinks and why her approach works so well.We’ll see you in The PPC Den!🦡 Highlights ​​00:00 – Intro00:20 – How Mike and Priscilla met02:00 – Why Priscilla built her system05:00 – Why static click rules fail06:10 – Visibility vs ACOS07:00 – Keyword classification explained09:00 – Customizing rules per brand11:00 – Finding hero keywords12:30 – High volume unprofitable targets14:00 – Click requirements by match type15:30 – Cross-analysis logic19:00 – Why pros need fast machines20:30 – Intentional bidding22:00 – Bid summary sheet24:00 – Why some bid changes = 0%31:30 – Reviewing performance index34:00 – Campaign purpose logic37:00 – Competitor vs branded clicks39:00 – Organic ranking influence44:00 – Inventory-based adjustments46:00 – Placement strategy47:30 – Bid frequency48:30 – Using AI for formulas51:00 – Outro🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingOur guest today is Priscilla Wagner of Relentless B2CThe Simplified Q4 Bids & Budget System for Amazon SellersThe One Activity That Will Fix Your ACOS in 2025One Keyword, 8 Tools. Accuracy for Search Volume & Sales on AmazonHow to Optimize Minimum and Maximum Bids in Amazon PPC to Improve ACoS📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinGuest Co-Host: Priscilla WagnerSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno 

Imagine spending $75,000 on Amazon ads and selling… just one $40K tiny home. That’s exactly where our guest Caroline found herself after leaving her CFO job and investing $750K into luxury prefab homes. In this episode, she jumps on an onboarding call with Michael from Ad Badger to figure out how to fix a broken PPC strategy, stop wasting money on ridiculous keywords like “IKEA hats,” and actually scale her business. Listen in as they break down long sales cycles, high-ticket ad spend, and the exact steps to go from losing $10K per month to dominating the tiny home market on Amazon.🦡 Highlights ​​0:00 – Intro0:18 – Caroline’s $750K tiny home gamble0:54 – $75K ad spend, 1 sale, ACOS 180%3:33 – How Ad Badger fixes broken PPC campaigns5:59 – Stopping wasted spend & managing long sales cycles8:25 – Scaling high-ticket items for market dominance10:44 – Dashboard, ACOS control & pricing12:20 – Onboarding, keyword cleanup & Ngram analyzer14:19 – Next steps & excitement to start🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingThe One Activity That Will Fix Your ACOS in 202535 Negatives to 1 Positive: The Secret to Lower ACoSTackle 70% Wasted Spend with N-Gram Laddering in Amazon AdsWhat strategies can help minimize wasted spend in Amazon PPC?Amazon PPC Secrets No One Tells You—Explode Your Brand Growth📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno

In this episode, we’re jumping into the Amazon world just like Mario jumps into a new level.I take you out to the limestone cliffs of Austin, where deep-water bouldering meets deep-data Amazon strategy. And while hanging off a rock face (because why not), I break down the real secret of how products rise through the ranks on Amazon: the Sales Ladder.You’ll hear how to spot your position in the “level map,” how to analyze the players above you, and how to power-up your listing using reverse ASIN lookups, keyword strike zones, and smarter PPC. It’s basically the difference between Mario without a mushroom… and Mario after the mushroom.If you're stuck at Rank 8 and dreaming of Rank 4 — this is your episode.And hey — if you want to climb that ladder even faster, you’ve got an exclusive 25% off Ad Badger software until December 5. A perfect power-up for your Amazon journey.🦡 Highlights0:00 – Walk at Pace Bend Trailhead 0:40 – Amazon growth = climbing a ladder1:30 – Understanding the Sales Ladder 2:30 – Example niche: top products & sales percentages3:30 – How to move up the ladder: from Rank 8 to Rank 44:30 – Reverse ASIN lookup & keyword profiling5:30 – Strike zone opportunities & high-converting keywords6:30 – Optimizing titles, PPC, and content updates7:30 – Competitor analysis: reviews, offers & pricing8:30 – Product variations & continuous iteration9:30 – Chart your course up the Sales Ladder ​​🦡 Resources & Links🎁Get 25% off until December 5! Optimize your Amazon PPC, track keywords, and climb the sales ladder faster with Ad Badger.Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingTackle 70% Wasted Spend with N-Gram Laddering in Amazon AdsUsing Reverse ASIN on Your Own Product for New PPC Keywords📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno

In this episode, we trade spreadsheets for trench coats and step straight into the shadows of Amazon PPC’s darkest alleyways. What looks like “bad performance” or “great ACOS” at first glance? — rarely is.Together with Steve, we crack open five real PPC cases from the Miami field files:a suspicious drop in ACOS that wasn’t what it seemed…a top-converting ASIN that suddenly vanished from the scene…a keyword framed for a crime it didn’t commit…an auto campaign that went rogue overnight…and finally, the delicate, dangerous game of cutting branded spend.Each case reveals the same truth: great PPC managers aren’t just optimizers — they’re detectives.Welcome to The PPC Crime Scene Files!🦡 Highlights ​​0:00 – Intro0:24 – Case 1: ACOS Mystery2:52 – Goal Setting & LTV Discussion6:40 – Case 2: Listing Suppression17:14 – Case 3: Keyword Placement Detective Work23:09 – Case 4: Runaway Auto Campaign28:14 – Case 5: Branded Spend Investigation36:46 – Wrap-up & Lessons Learned🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingOur guest today is Steve PatenaudeWhen Higher Total ACOS Means More ProfitHow to align team goals using Amazon PPC data tools?How can you quickly and efficiently improve your Amazon listing?B2B Placements in Amazon PPCWhy Aren’t You Testing Placement Adjustments in Amazon PPC?Should You Segment Automatic Sponsored Product Campaigns?Smart Strategies for Branded Spend in Amazon Ads📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes​​​​​-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinGuest Co-Host: Steve PatenaudeSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno

In this episode, Michael and Sean Stone dive into the biggest Amazon opportunities of 2025 — how to leverage Amazon Marketing Cloud Audiences and the new Deals rules to maximize Q4 performance. They share real account insights, campaign strategies, and explain why now is the best time ever to be selling on Amazon.We’ll see you in The PPC Den!🦡 Highlights ​​00:00 – Intro01:31 – Why Q4 2025 is crucial for Amazon marketers05:01 – AMC Audiences – segmentation & targeting12:01 – Creating high-impact deals in AMC18:31 – Success stories using AMC audiences & deals23:01 – Advanced tips: Optimizing campaigns for peak Q4 performance28:01 – Common pitfalls and how to avoid them32:01 –  What to watch in AMC & Amazon marketing34:31 – Wrap-up 🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingOur guest today is Sean Stone, founder of Stone's GoodsThe Simplified Q4 Bids & Budget System for Amazon SellersWhat are The Biggest Trends in Amazon PPC Q4 of 2021Q4 Strategy for Amazon Advertising in 2021: How Do You Prepare?Amazon Marketing Cloud: Retarget Viewers & Cart Abandoners📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklist Review all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinGuest Co-Host: Sean StoneSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno

In this episode, Michael sits down with Joshua Rawe from AmplyCell to explore a quiet revolution inside Amazon advertising.  Téogether, they unpack how AI is taking over the heavy lifting — from creating videos to analyzing data — and why the future of selling on Amazon will belong to those who can think both creatively and technically. You’ll discover how Amazon’s newest AI tools are not just changing ads, but redefining what it means to be a marketer.We’ll see you in The PPC Den!🦡 Highlights ​​00:00 – Intro02:15 – Are Amazon advertisers becoming more like electricians?08:10 – Inside Amazon’s new AI creative studio 12:37 – The rise of AI assistants for sellers and account optimization17:22 – How Amazon now builds listings from a Shopify URL20:55 – AI in Product Opportunity Explorer24:48 – Why AI still needs human logic and interpretation29:30 – Practical ways to use AI in PPC today33:18 – The marketer of tomorrow: technical + creative37:02 – Adapting before AI does it for you🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingOur guest today is  Joshua Rawe, co-founder AmpliSellA tool I use every month to better manage my Amazon PPC campaignsWe Tested AI Video Ads — Here’s What Improved Our ROASCreative Optimization and Partnerships with Roku for Amazon Video CampaignsAmazon Product Page Optimization in a Rufus AI World 📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinGuest Co-Host: Joshua RaweSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno 

In this episode, we welcome Maryna, Amazon PPC Manager at Ad Badger, to our show. We dive into how to leverage search query data to boost sales on Amazon. Maryna shares insights on uncovering hidden keywords customers are actually using, optimizing ad campaigns, and increasing CTR and conversions. We discuss when high impressions don’t translate into clicks and how improving titles, images, or pricing can fix that. She also explains the importance of tracking market growth and lost sales, showing why regularly analyzing search query data is key to Amazon success.🦡 Highlights ​​0:00 – Intro00:35 – How often Maryna uses search query data01:18 – Why search query data is powerful for understanding the customer’s voice03:12 – Finding hidden gem keywords and a real client example09:05 – Low impression share but high CTR & conversion rate: what it means13:30 – High impression share but low CTR: identifying listing issues16:16 – High impression share and CTR but low conversion: fixing the listing17:58 – Losing market share while search volume grows: strategic insights22:04 – Maryna’s advice for collecting and using search query data🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingToday on the show, we’re thrilled to welcome Maryna Nelep, an Amazon PPC manager and proud member of our Ad Badger family!How Can I Best Use The Search Query Performance Report?How Do I Export Search Query Performance Dashboard Data?Why Amazon’s Search Query Performance Dashboard is AwesomeOne Keyword, 8 Tools. Accuracy for Search Volume & Sales on Amazon📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinGuest Co-Host: Maryna NelepSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno 

In this week’s episode  we dive into the powerful Product Opportunity Explorer tool and show you how it can give you an instant pulse on your Amazon PPC performance. Ever wondered if your rising CPCs are just your account scaling or if it’s a market-wide trend? I walk you through real examples from over a thousand marketplaces  so you can see exactly how to make sense of CPC increases, sales growth, and competitor activity. Five minutes in the Product Opportunity Explorer can save you hours of guesswork and give you actionable insights to optimize your campaigns. 🦡 Highlights ​​0:00 – Intro0:14 – Story of a Core Community member facing PPC challenges0:52 – Rising CPCs explained2:15 – Market research insights3:17 – Using Product Opportunity Explorer5:02 – Microphone niche case study6:49 – Trends and conversion rates8:33 – Demand and competition overview9:30 – Pulse check on market share10:25 – Top products and click share11:45 – Monthly account analysis tips13:42 – Market opportunities14:39 – Outro🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingUsing Product Opportunity Explorer to iterate and expand your product lineHow Can I Best Use The Product Opportunity Explorer For My Amazon PPC Campaign?How Do I Maximize Sales With Amazon’s Product Opportunity Explorer? 📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno 

Hey, if you’re managing Amazon PPC, you need to check out the latest PPC Den Podcast episode. Mike walks you through how to audit your campaigns using bulk files and pivot tables — step by step. What’s really valuable is how he highlights where ad spend might be wasted, which campaigns or products are performing best, and how to optimize match types like broad, phrase, and exact. He also points out the usual frustrations with Amazon Ads — signing in, switching between Seller Central and Advertising — and shows a cleaner, faster way to get insights using spreadsheets.Mike even covers pivot table examples, double pivots, and placement analysis, giving you a practical workflow you can start using right away.🦡 Highlights ​​0:00 – Introduction0:58 – The goal of an audit2:27 – What an Amazon PPC audit actually is3:01 – Observing, recommending, and taking action after audits4:04 – How to download a bulk file from Amazon Advertising6:01 – Why regular bulk file downloads are useful6:33 – Analyzing at a high level: “lay of the land”6:55 – Campaign structure analysis: auto vs manual targeting, match types, placements8:07 – Using pivot tables for Amazon PPC analysis14:22 – Common pivot table audits: match type summary19:44 – Double pivot tables: skew + campaign name for detailed insights24:42 – Pivot analysis for multi-ASIN creatives and video ads25:00 – Outro🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️ Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingAudit Your Amazon PPC Account: The 5 Step GuideHow Can An Amazon Campaign Audit Help My Business?Live Amazon PPC Campaign AuditReconstructing Campaign Architecture for Multi-ASIN Portfolios6 Principles to Follow For Amazon PPC Campaign Structure📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno

Michael and Shane White are back — and this time, they’re taking on the wild world of AI video ads. You’ve probably heard the hype, but here’s the truth: AI videos are already reshaping how Amazon sellers launch, test, and scale. They also dig into what most people get wrong about CVR tracking, why data still beats “gut feeling,” and how video might soon be your best-performing ad type (yes, even if you’re camera-shy).So grab your headphones and your favorite coffee mug — it’s time to talk about launches, AI, and the future of Amazon PPC. 🦡 Highlights ​​0:00 – Intro2:00 – Origin story: building agency from Ecom experience2:25 – Boutique approach: agency + PPC manager in one5:14 – AI video: 3D renders from simple files6:14 – Micro-testing videos on Amazon with keywords10:00 – Future: video generation without editors, low cost12:00 – Brand launch strategy on Amazon, goal setting14:48 – Four PPC launch phases: branded, product, competitor, video/display17:07 – Conversion > ROAS on early stages20:32 – Launch phases: branded terms, descriptive keywords, category/competitors29:12 – Share of search, tracking conversions & traffic32:48 – Search term optimization, trends, product profitability34:00 – Risk of focusing too much on ROAS early36:23 – Sacrifice for long-term success; PPC lessons like GPA vs ROAS38:17 – Experimenting & giving campaigns buffer; lessons from short-term dips40:08 – Nomenclature for campaigns, 30,000-foot view, organizing all campaigns & creative assets42:16 – 30-day test period for campaigns; impressions first, then evaluate45:23 – Next 6 months excitement: AI & automating analysis🦡 Resources & Links🦡 GET AD BADGER ➡️Find Michael Erickson Facchin — Ad Badger’s CEO and soul, PPC whisperer, and your go-to guide through the wild world of Amazon advertisingOur guest today is  Shane White of Nobul PartnersWhat Top Amazon Sellers Won’t Tell You About AI Video AdsWhy No One Watches Your Amazon Sponsored Brand Videos & How To Fix ItHow Do I Make Excellent Amazon Sponsored Display Videos On Budget?Creative Optimization and Partnerships with Roku for Amazon Video Campaigns📚 Unlock our FREE comprehensive Amazon Marketing PlaybookSubscribe to our newsletterTransform your workflow with our comprehensive Amazon Advertising checklistReview all our show notes-Host and Executive Producer: Michael Erickson FacchinGuest Co-Host: Shane WhiteSenior Producer: Nancy Lili GonzalezPodcast Coordinator & Graphic Designer: Sofiia PodashVideo and Audio Editor: Pedro Moreno