FTC and 22 states unseal details of case over Amazon ad auction price inflation

An unredacted complaint filed by the FTC⬟ and 22 states alleges Amazon◼ covertly raised advertising auction prices by up to 50% on ordinary days and up to 250% on major shopping days such as Prime Day and Black Friday. It cites a 20% rise in average cost-per-click for advertisers in the 2021 holiday season and $87 million in extra revenue from surcharges in the 2022 holiday season. The complaint also says Amazon falsely told advertisers the increases were caused by greater competition, not a change to the auction process.

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