FTC complaint alleges Amazon added hidden surcharges to ad auction prices

Published Thursday, November 5, 2026 · 10:52 AM EST

The Federal Trade Commission and 22 states have made public previously redacted allegations that Amazon secretly raised search advertising prices above auction results. Their updated complaint alleges increases of as much as 50% on ordinary days and 250% on major shopping days. The newly unsealed allegations say Amazon raised surcharges during the 2022 holiday shopping season to increase worldwide revenue by $87 million. They also allege that Amazon attributed higher prices to competition when advertisers questioned whether its auction process had changed. The disclosures add factual detail to the lawsuit filed in August in the Western District of Washington; they remain allegations in the complaint.

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