Exclusive ad placement with priority campaigns
Starting January 13, 2026, we’re upgrading the priority strategy experience. Campaigns using a priority strategy for items listed on ebay.com, ebay.ca, and cafr.ebay.ca, will get exclusive access to the first ad slot at the top of eBay search results. This means that only priority listings will be eligible to show up in the top, most visible position. With more visibility, your items should have a better chance of selling.
We first introduced the priority campaign strategy to help sellers reach more buyers and sell their items faster by providing priority access to high-visibility ad placements and advanced controls for increasing sales velocity. Over the past year, we’ve launched new features like AI-powered keyword guidance, Smart Targeting, and trend-based campaigns.
Now, with this upgrade, a priority strategy provides exclusive access to the first ad slot position in search results – helping you drive greater visibility for your listings and generate more sales. This also means campaigns that use a general strategy will no longer be eligible to show ads in the first ad slot position in search results.
We’ll continue investing in the priority strategy to ensure you have access to premium ad placements and can increase sales velocity with greater efficiency. If you’re already using priority campaigns, your ads will automatically be eligible to show in the first ad slot position at the top of search results.
Updated attribution for general campaigns
Starting January 13, 2026, items listed on ebay.com, ebay.ca, and cafr.ebay.ca and promoted with a general campaign strategy will use the following attribution definition when reporting sales and charging ad fees:
An attributed sale will be when any buyer purchases the promoted item within 30 days of any click on the ad, regardless of whether the buyer themselves clicked on the ad. The item must be promoted at the time of click and the time of sale. The seller will be charged the ad rate at the time of sale.
This update will simplify campaign reporting, which many sellers have requested for greater ease-of-use and clarity, while allowing you to maintain control over your spend – you continue to only pay when your item sells. As with any update, we recommend you monitor ad performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.
We’re here to help
There’s never been a more exciting time to advertise on eBay. As we focus on the holidays and the year ahead, we’ll continue investing in ways to help you grow your business and your brand. Please continue sharing your questions, comments, and feedback with the community and support team. We’re committed to helping you get the most out of your selling experience.
Seller FAQs
How is exclusive access defined?
Only listings promoted with a priority campaign strategy are eligible to show in the first ad slot position of eBay search results. Listings promoted with a general campaign strategy are not eligible to show in the first ad slot position of eBay search results. If no relevant priority listings are available, a non-promoted listing will be displayed instead, ensuring buyers always see the most relevant results.
How do I know if my priority ads are showing in the first position?
It’s important to note that promoting a listing using a priority strategy does not guarantee that the listing will show in the first ad slot position in search results. Your keywords and bids are factors in determining where and how frequently your priority ads appear in eBay search results. The more competitive the bid, the more likely your listing appears in an eligible ad slot for relevant searches. Other important factors include: price, listing quality, and listing relevance.
I've promoted my listings with a priority strategy, but I don't see my ads when I search for my listings using the keywords I'm bidding on. Why?
Your listings will not automatically win placements when you advertise with a priority strategy. Each time a buyer searches for a product, we will determine which listings are shown using a variety of factors, including keyword relevancy, bid amount, available budget, and listing quality.
Will my priority campaign spend change?
Listings that appear at the top of search results, including the first ad slot position, are more visible to buyers and therefore more likely to drive clicks and sales. As a result, you may see an increase in ad spend as more buyers see and interact with your priority ads.
How do I get started with priority campaigns?
Priority campaigns can work well for experienced sellers looking to increase their sales velocity with a clear understanding of searches they want to target and a well-defined marketing plan.
Consider using a priority strategy to promote high-demand, high-margin items as well as multi-quantity listings that can quickly convert clicks into sales. New listings can also benefit from increased traffic when promoted using a priority strategy.
Please review the eBay Help page for getting started.
With the attribution update, will my general campaign spend increase?
We expect to see more sales being attributable to promoted listings that use a general campaign strategy. As a result, general campaign spend may increase. We encourage sellers to monitor their ad performance and adjust their strategy accordingly.
What will happen to Direct attribution and Halo item attribution for general campaigns?
As of January 13, 2026, items promoted using a general campaign strategy will no longer use Direct attribution and Halo item attribution when sales are reported or ad fees are charged. Historical Sales reports will continue to include Direct and Halo item sales from the respective dates before January 13, 2026. Learn more
Campaigns that use a priority strategy are not impacted by this attribution update.
For the attribution update to general campaigns, if I set an initial ad rate and then change it, which ad rate will be charged?
Sellers are charged the ad rate of the sold item at the time of sale. The item must be promoted at the time of click and the time of sale.
If I’m promoting an item before the attribution update to general campaigns, how will sales and ad fees be attributed after the update?
We will consider clicks from up to 30 days before the attribution update takes effect to apply the updated logic. The sale must occur after the update (January 13, 2026 onward).
For example, a buyer clicks on a promoted listing that uses a general campaign strategy on December 20, 2025.
- If that promoted item sells on December 26, 2025, Direct or Halo item attribution will be applied.
- If that promoted item sells on January 13, 2026 or after, the updated attribution logic will be applied.
Where can I see the impact of this update in Seller Hub?
Sellers can see which sales were attributed to Promoted Listings and the associated ad fees by downloading the Sales Report from the Advertising dashboard within the Advertising tab on Seller Hub. Sales that are attributed using the updated general strategy attribution logic will appear as “Attributed sale” under the “Sale type” reporting column.
Is this attribution update to general campaigns only for items listed on ebay.com, ebay.ca, and cafr.ebay.ca?
No. This attribution update is already applied to items listed on ebay.co.uk, ebay.fr, ebay.it, ebay.es, ebay.au and ebay.de. As of January 13, 2026, all eBay sites will use this attribution definition when reporting sales and charging ad fees for items promoted using a general campaign strategy.
