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How to See or Set Your Own Bid Increments

TL;DR

You can set bid increments globally or per item to control how much each new bid must increase. Adjusting increments helps create competitive bidding and smoother auction pacing.

Author: Tom Kelly 2 min reads

What Are Bid Increments?

Bid increments are the minimum dollar amount a bid must increase over the current highest bid. Setting proper increments helps:

  • Keep bidding moving quickly.
  • Encourage healthy competition.
  • Prevent bidders from raising amounts by just a few cents.

For example, if your increment is set at $10 and the current bid is $100, the next bidder must bid at least $110.

Step 1: Log In to Your Dashboard

  1. Log in to your event dashboard.
  2. Select the auction event you want to adjust.
  3. Go to Event Settings or Bidding Settings.

Step 2: View Your Current Bid Increments

  • Look for the “Bid Increment” or “Minimum Bid Increase” field.
  • If a Global Increment is set, it applies to all items.
  • If Custom Increments are used, they may vary per item.

You can preview these increments as bidders would see them on the item page.

Step 3: Set a Global Bid Increment

  1. In the Bid Settings section, enter a dollar amount (e.g., $10).
  2. Click Save.
  3. This increment now applies to all items in the auction.

Global increments are best when your auction has similar item values.

Step 4: Set Custom Increments Per Item

  1. Go to the Items tab.
  2. Select an item to edit.
  3. Find the Bid Increment field.
  4. Enter the specific amount you want for that item.
  5. Save your changes.

Custom increments are useful when your auction includes both small and high-value items.

Step 5: Preview the Bid Increments as a Bidder

  • Go to your auction page.
  • Click on any item.
  • You’ll see the minimum next bid displayed under the current bid.
  • This amount reflects the increment you set.

Testing this view ensures your increments are clear to bidders.

Step 6: Adjust During the Auction if Needed

  • You can edit increments any time before the auction closes.
  • Changes will apply to future bids only (not past bids).
  • Adjust up or down to keep bidding competitive.

Pro Tips for Setting Effective Increments

  • For smaller items: $5–$25 increments work well.
  • For high-value items: $50–$500 increments keep bidding strong without slowing the event.
  • Use round numbers for simplicity.
  • Preview increments before launch in demo mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bid increments?

Bid increments are the minimum amounts a bid must increase over the current high bid to keep the auction moving smoothly.

Where can I see my current bid increments?

You can find them in the Event Settings or on each item’s edit page under the “Bid Increment” field.

Can I set different increments for different items?

Yes. You can set global increments for all items or custom increments for individual items based on their value.

Can I change bid increments during the auction?

Yes. You can adjust increments at any time, but changes only affect future bids—not bids that have already been placed.

How do bidders see the bid increments?

Bidders see the minimum next bid displayed directly below the current bid on the item page.

Do bid increments affect auto bidding?

Yes. Auto bids will follow the increment amount you set, ensuring fair and consistent increases.

Can I preview bid increments before going live?

Yes. Use demo mode to test and preview increments as they’ll appear to bidders.

What’s a good increment amount to start with?

For smaller items, $5–$25 works well. For high-value items, $50 or more may be appropriate to keep bidding strong.

Will changing increments affect existing bids?

No. Changing increments only affects future bids. Previous bids remain valid and unchanged.

Can I use different increments for live and silent auctions?

Yes. Many organizers set higher increments for live auction items and lower increments for silent ones to balance engagement.

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Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly, TEDx speaker and CEO of CharityAuctions.com, helps nonprofits raise millions through auctions and AI. He hosts The Million Dollar Nonprofit podcast and inspires leaders to live their legacy, not just leave it.

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