Why Is Etsy Ad Spend Different From ProfitTree’s Spend Amount?
When viewing the Profit Tracking Dashboard, it’s common to notice that the ad spend shown in Etsy does not exactly match the ad spend displayed in ProfitTree. This difference is expected and is caused by how and when advertising spend is recorded.
Etsy records ad spend based on when clicks occur, while ProfitTree reflects ad spend based on completed, recorded transactions available in Etsy’s reporting data. Because of this timing difference, ad spend may appear delayed, shifted to a different day, or temporarily mismatched between the two platforms.
These differences typically resolve as data completes processing and reports update.
How Etsy Reports Ad Spend
Etsy’s Ads dashboard shows real-time ad spend, meaning:
Spend is shown when an ad click occurs
Charges may appear before they are officially billed
Totals can change throughout the day
This view reflects incurred spend, not finalized charges.
Why Is Etsy Ad Spend Different From ProfitTree’s Spend Amount?
When viewing the Profit Tracking Dashboard, it’s common to notice that the ad spend shown in Etsy does not exactly match the ad spend displayed in ProfitTree. This difference is expected and usually comes down to one of the reasons below.
Reason 1: Timing Differences in How Ad Spend Is Recorded
Etsy records advertising activity based on when ad clicks occur, while ProfitTree reflects ad spend based on when charges are finalized and recorded in Etsy’s payment ledger.
Because of this:
Ad spend may appear delayed or shifted between days.
Very recent ad activity may not yet appear in ProfitTree.
Differences often resolve once Etsy completes processing and reporting updates.
This behavior is expected and does not indicate a syncing issue.
Reason 2: Onsite vs Offsite Ads Are Counted Differently
The Profit Tracking Dashboard shows total Etsy ad spend, which includes both Onsite and Offsite ads.
However, when you view daily ad spend in Etsy’s Marketing tab:
The amount shown reflects Onsite ads only.
Offsite ads are not included in Etsy’s daily onsite ad spend totals.
Offsite ads are promoted through external partners, such as Google Shopping. Sellers who earn over $10,000 per year are automatically enrolled in Offsite ads when running Etsy ads. Offsite ads are only charged when a sale occurs and are billed at 12% of the sale price.
Because Offsite ad charges are billed at the time of sale and recorded separately, this can cause the ad spend total in ProfitTree to be higher than the daily spend shown in Etsy’s Marketing tab.
How ProfitTree Reports Ad Spend
ProfitTree reports advertising spend based on actual charges recorded in your Etsy payment account ledger.
ProfitTree pulls data directly from your Etsy payment ledger.
The ledger reflects the final amount charged to your account.
Billed data is confirmed and does not change retroactively.
This approach ensures that ProfitTree reports only real, billable ad spend, giving you an accurate picture of your true advertising costs on the Profit Tracking Dashboard.
How to Compare ProfitTree and Etsy Accurately
To compare ad spend accurately:
Go to your Etsy Payment Account ledger
Review ad-related line items
Compare those values to ProfitTree’s ad spend totals
Both sources are using the same billed data.
Important Notes
Differences between Etsy’s Ads dashboard and ProfitTree do not indicate missing data
ProfitTree reflects what was actually charged, not what was estimated
This approach ensures consistent and reliable reporting
Summary
Etsy shows ad spend when it happens. ProfitTree shows ad spend when it is billed. Because these timestamps differ, the totals may not always match—but ProfitTree always reflects the final, charged amount recorded in your Etsy ledger.