A Step-by-Step Tutorial on Setting Up Your First Amazon PPC Campaign

Getting ready to run your first Amazon PPC campaign? That’s a big move—and one that separates casual sellers from serious brand-builders.

Truth is, selling on Amazon today means more than just listing a product and hoping for the best. To really get in front of your target customers, you need to master the art (and science) of Amazon advertising. But before you start worrying about PPC campaigns Amazon cost, let’s walk through what it actually looks like to launch your first campaign—step by step.

Whether you’re trying to manage Amazon PPC for a small product line or building a strategy for a larger catalog, this tutorial is designed to guide you with clarity, confidence, and zero jargon overload.

What is an Amazon PPC Campaign?

Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is Amazon’s advertising platform where sellers pay only when a shopper clicks on their ad. It’s designed to help products get discovered more easily whether on search results pages, competitor listings, or product detail pages.

Step 1: Know Your Campaign Types Before You Click “Launch”

Think of Amazon PPC as a way of choosing a lane on a busy highway—you’ve got to know where you’re going. There are three types of Amazon PPC campaigns, and each one serves a different purpose:

• Amazon Sponsored Products: These show individual product ads on search results and product detail pages. They’re straightforward and convert well—perfect for beginners.
• Amazon Sponsored Brands: These highlight your brand and multiple products. They’re ideal if you’re brand-registered and ready to make a splash.
• Amazon Sponsored Display: These target shoppers both on and off Amazon based on their browsing behavior.

If this is your very first Amazon PPC ads campaign, start with Amazon Sponsored Products. It’s the most beginner-friendly and delivers the fastest learning curve.

Step 2: Start with Automatic Targeting

You’re probably wondering: Should I go manual or automatic for my first PPC campaign on Amazon?

Here’s our take: let Amazon do the heavy lifting—start with an Amazon PPC automatic campaign setup. Why? Because Amazon will choose keywords and match your ads to relevant searches based on your listing. It’s hands-off, insightful, and gives you valuable data you’ll use later for manual campaigns.

You can always explore manual targeting down the line, once you’ve got some traction and real-world keyword performance in your hands.

Step 3: Set Up Your Amazon PPC Campaign Inside Seller Central

Here’s how to launch your first campaign:

1. Log in to Seller Central.
2. Go to Advertising > Campaign Manager.
3. Click Create Campaign > Choose Sponsored Products.

Now it’s time to give your campaign a clear name (something like Auto-SP-YogaMat-April) and set your daily budget. Pro tip? Start with $20–$30/day so your campaign gets enough data to learn and grow.

And don’t worry—PPC campaigns Amazon cost doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’re only paying when someone clicks, so with the right strategy, every dollar has a job to do.

Step 4: Organize Your Ad Groups & Products Smartly

Inside your campaign, you’ll create ad groups. These are simply sets of products you want to advertise together.

Here’s the rule: Don’t mix unrelated products in one ad group. A yoga mat and a set of resistance bands might both be in fitness, but they serve different purposes and should have their own space.

Also, if you’re running an Amazon FBA PPC campaign, double-check that your inventory is healthy. Ads won’t run if your product is out of stock, and even if they do, they might just be wasting spend. (Nobody wants to see their Amazon PPC campaign out of budget because they forgot to restock.)

Step 5: Bidding Basics – Set a Smart Starting Bid

When setting up your automatic campaign, Amazon will ask you for a default bid—this is how much you’re willing to pay for a click.

Most categories do well starting in the $0.75–$1.50 range. You’ll refine this later based on performance.

And if you’re curious about Amazon PPC campaign optimization, here’s your first golden rule: don’t set it and forget it. Monitor your bids regularly. Let the data tell you what’s working and what needs adjusting.

Step 6: Monitor, Learn, and Adjust Daily

This is where the real work—and the magic—happens. Once your campaign is live, you’ll start to see clicks, spend, and (hopefully) conversions rolling in. But to manage Amazon PPC effectively, you’ve got to be tuned in.

Key things to watch:

• ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale): This tells you how much you’re spending on ads to make a sale. A low ACoS means you’re doing great!
• Impressions & CTR: Are people seeing and clicking your ad? If not, your listing may need a better title, main image, or even pricing tweaks.
• Budget Drain: Is your Amazon PPC campaign out of budget by noon every day? If yes, increase your budget, or improve your targeting to get more value out of every dollar.

Step 7: Time for Optimization—Where Growth Lives

Once you’ve got a week or two of data, start diving into Amazon PPC campaign optimization. Here’s what that might look like:

• Add negative keywords: If people are clicking but not buying, those clicks are costing you. Exclude poor performers.
• Promote winners: Move high-performing keywords from automatic to manual campaigns with exact match for tighter control.
• Refine your bids: Don’t be afraid to lower bids on underperformers and boost bids on high-converters.

This is also a great time to test variations of your product listings. Small changes—like a better product title or sharper image—can boost your conversions and improve your ad performance.

How Do I Edit My Amazon PPC Campaign?

Once your campaign is live, changes are both possible and necessary.

Here’s how to manage Amazon PPC adjustments:

1. In Campaign Manager, select the campaign you want to update.
2. Edit bids, targeting methods, product selection, and ad copy as needed.
3. Pause underperforming ad groups or keywords.

For example, if certain keywords are draining your budget without converting, reduce bids or pause them altogether.

Always monitor for overspending or low ROI. This is how you prevent your Amazon PPC campaign from going out of budget without generating sales.

What to Watch: PPC Campaigns Amazon Cost and Common Pitfalls

When launching your first Amazon PPC campaign, be aware of these common issues:

• Overspending without tracking ROI – Don’t let your Amazon PPC campaign go out of budget. Monitor daily.
• Unoptimized product listings – High traffic doesn’t help if your page doesn’t convert.
• Ignoring campaign data – Learn from your reports. That’s where real growth begins.

Also, keep in mind that PPC campaigns Amazon cost varies by category and competition. Competitive niches will naturally cost more per click, but that also means higher volume and potential revenue.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Stay Consistent

Running your first PPC campaign on Amazon doesn’t need to be stressful. Like anything in business, it’s about starting where you are, learning from real results, and improving over time.

And yes, the learning curve is real—but the upside? Even better. A well-managed Amazon PPC ads campaign can drive your visibility, sales, and long-term ranking. And with the right mindset, you’ll gain not just customers—but control over your Amazon growth.

So if you’ve been holding off, consider this your nudge: set up your first campaign, watch it, learn from it, and optimize like a pro with the help of an expert Amazon PPC management agency.

Author Bio:

Prateek S. is an experienced SEO Analyst and writer specializing in eCommerce with over two years of expertise. Currently at SellerApp, he excels in crafting clear and insightful content that breaks down complex eCommerce concepts, helping businesses optimize their online presence. His work reflects a deep understanding of the digital marketplace, providing practical guidance to those navigating this ever changing industry.