Free tool
Amazon ad waste calculator and finder.
Estimate how much ad spend you could put back to work each month. Then get the spreadsheet that finds the exact search terms wasting it.
every month, if we cut wasted spend the way we did for a recent client.
Estimate only. Uses the 31% waste cut from one of our case studies and your current return on ad spend. Your audit gives the real figure.
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Free. Built for all 23 marketplaces.Private. We never share your data.Made by Maple. 8+ years managing Amazon accounts.
Find the exact search terms wasting your ad spend.
The Ad Waste Finder is the spreadsheet we use on client accounts. Paste in your Search Term Report and in five minutes it tells you what to cut, what to lower and what to scale.
- 01Negatives to add
Search terms that spent money and never sold, biggest waste first.
- 02Bids to lower
Terms that sell but cost too much, with a suggested new bid for each.
- 03Move to exact
Your winning terms that deserve their own exact match keyword.
The guide
Where Amazon ad spend leaks.
The four leaks we find in almost every account.
Wasted ad spend is money paid for clicks that will never turn into profitable sales. On accounts we take over, it is common to find a quarter or more of the budget going to search terms that have never sold.
1. Search terms with clicks and no sales
Broad and auto campaigns match you to searches you would never pick. Any term with 15 or more clicks and no sales is usually a negative keyword waiting to happen.
2. Terms that sell, but at a loss
Some terms convert, but at an ACoS far above your break-even. They look busy and feel like growth. Lower the bid until they make money or pause them. Work out your break-even with the break-even ACoS calculator.
3. Winners stuck in broad match
When a search term sells well in broad or auto, move it to its own exact match keyword. You get more control over the bid and usually a lower cost per click.
4. No negatives from day one
New campaigns without negative keywords pay for freebie hunters, job seekers and people looking for manuals. Start with our free negative keyword list.
The calculator above uses the 31% waste cut from one of our case studies as a guide. The spreadsheet below does it with your own data.
How do I find wasted ad spend on Amazon?
Download your Sponsored Products search term report for the last 30 to 60 days. Sort by spend and look for terms with clicks and no orders, and terms with an ACoS above your break-even. The free Ad Waste Finder does this for you.
How much Amazon ad spend is usually wasted?
It varies a lot. On accounts we audit it is common to find 15% to 30% of spend on terms that never sell or sell at a loss.
When should I add a negative keyword?
A common rule is 15 or more clicks with no sales, or about 2 times your average cost per order. Use negative exact for a single search term and negative phrase for a theme you never want.
Does the spreadsheet work outside the US?
Yes. The Ad Waste Finder works with the search term report from any Amazon marketplace and lets you set your own currency.
More free tools
Keep going.
More calculators, checkers and templates we use on client accounts.
- 01Break-even ACoS calculatorFind the highest ACoS your margins can take, your target ACoS and your TACoS.Calculator
- 02Amazon fee and profit calculatorReal profit per unit in 23 marketplaces, with VAT, referral and FBA fees.Calculator
- 03Listing character and byte counterCheck your title, bullets and search terms against each marketplace limit.Checker
- 04Amazon image checkerTest size, pure white background and product fill before you upload.Checker
- 05Negative keyword list400+ proven negative keywords in 5 languages, with a bulk upload sheet.Spreadsheet
- 06Product launch checklistEvery step from 8 weeks before launch to day 90, with a KPI tracker.Spreadsheet
- 07A+ content brief templatePlan every A+ module, with image sizes and a policy checklist built in.Word template
Your next step
Find out where your Amazon sales are leaking.
Send us your store. Within 24 hours you get a 20-point audit and a 90-day plan you can use with or without us.
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