Hey everyone,

I'm hoping to tap into the collective wisdom here. I feel like the PPC game has completely changed for new product launches recently, and my old playbook isn't cutting it.

My Background:

When I used to run private label listings, my go-to strategy was always: one manual exact match campaign + three auto campaigns. I'd use fixed bids and stick right around the suggested bid range. It worked like clockwork.

The Current Problem:

Fast forward to this year, and launching a new product feels like shouting into the void. I'm bidding right at the suggested bid, and I'm getting zero visibility. It’s like the product doesn’t even exist in the search results.

For example, I have a $10 product. I've pushed bids up to $1.20 and still can barely get a click. Last year, that kind of bid would have at least gotten me some data to work with. The algorithm just feels completely different now.

It makes me wonder – has Amazon’s "new product" ad weight or honeymoon period just disappeared?

So my question for advanced operators: What’s your go-to method for getting quick, reliable test data on a brand new product launch in this current environment?

I'm all ears and really appreciate any insights you can share. Thanks!

P.S. Is anyone else feeling this shift, or is it just me?