> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.auctionplusapp.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.auctionplusapp.com/auctions/auction-listing-settings.md).

# Auction Listing Settings

This guide covers all settings available when creating or editing an individual auction listing.

***

## Per-Auction Settings

These settings are configured when creating or editing an individual auction. See [Creating an Auction](/auctions/creating-an-auction.md) for the creation workflow.

### Start Price

The price at which bidding begins. Required.

* Set this to the minimum amount you want for the first bid.
* Customers cannot bid below this price.

> **Tip:** Combine a low start price with a [Reserve Price](#reserve-price) if you want to encourage bidding activity while still protecting your minimum acceptable price.

### Bid Increment

The minimum amount each new bid must exceed the current bid. Available options:

**Default (Tiered)** — The increment scales automatically with the bid amount:

| Current Bid           | Increment |
| --------------------- | --------- |
| $0.01 – $0.99         | $0.05     |
| $1.00 – $4.99         | $0.25     |
| $5.00 – $24.99        | $0.50     |
| $25.00 – $99.99       | $1.00     |
| $100.00 – $249.99     | $2.50     |
| $250.00 – $499.99     | $5.00     |
| $500.00 – $999.99     | $10.00    |
| $1,000.00 – $2,499.99 | $25.00    |
| $2,500.00 – $4,999.99 | $50.00    |
| $5,000.00+            | $100.00   |

**Fixed Amount** — A fixed dollar amount regardless of the current bid (e.g., always $5.00 more).

**Percentage** — A percentage of the current bid (e.g., 10% on a $50 bid means the next bid must be at least $55).

### Reserve Price

The minimum price at which you are willing to sell. The item will not sell if bidding does not reach this amount.

* The reserve price is **not visible** to bidders. They see a message indicating whether the reserve has been met.
* When a proxy bid meets or exceeds the reserve, the showing bid automatically raises to the reserve price.

> **Note:** Reserve Price is available on select plans.

### Start Date and Time

Determines when the auction begins accepting bids. Defaults to immediately. You can schedule auctions in advance by setting a future date and time.

When the auction belongs to an **Auction Event**, start and end dates are managed by the event.

### End Date and Time

When the auction stops accepting bids. Defaults to 7 days from now.

> **Tip:** Consider your audience's timezone when setting end times.

### Accept Offers

Toggle to enable the Make an Offer feature for this listing. When enabled, customers can submit an offer price. The offer option is only available before the first bid is placed.

See [Offers](/offers/get-started-with-offers.md) for full details.

***

## Automatic Bids (Proxy Bidding)

The Automatic Bids option lets a customer enter the maximum amount they are willing to pay for an item. The system will then automatically place bids for the customer at one increment above the second highest bidder, up to that maximum amount. This is known as a "second-price auction". This allows customers to place their maximum bid once, instead of responding to each and every competing bid that is placed.

> The maximum bid is kept hidden from other bidders until an equal or higher bid is placed.

***

## Soft Close (Anti-Sniping)

Soft Close, or popcorn bidding, extends an auction's end time when bids are placed in the final moments, preventing "sniping."

**Soft Close settings:**

* **Extend From** — The window before end time during which a bid triggers an extension (e.g., 2 minutes before end).
* **Extend Duration** — How much time is added, calculated from when the bid was placed (e.g., 2 minutes from bid time).

> **Note:** Soft Close is available on paid plans.

***

## Next Steps

* Learn about [Default Auction Settings](/auctions/default-auction-settings.md) to pre-fill values for new auctions.
* Modify multiple auctions at once with [Bulk Editing](/auctions/bulk-editing-auctions.md).
* Configure store-wide auction options in [Global Auction Settings](/auctions/global-auction-settings.md).
* Create auctions in bulk with [CSV Import & Export](/auctions/csv-import-export-guide.md).