Free Bumps — What’s Changed

We’ve made an important update to how free bumps work on Adverts.ie. This change is designed to make bumping your ads simpler, clearer, and easier to use.

A Simpler Way to Bump Your Ads

Previously, free bumps were handled through a credit system. While functional, it often caused confusion — users had to keep track of balances, expiry dates, and which ad a credit applied to.

With this update, we’ve removed that complexity entirely.

Free bumps are now applied directly to your ad, so when one is available, you can use it instantly — no credits, no wallet, no extra steps.


How the Old System Worked

Under the previous system:

  • If your ad hadn’t been bumped for 30 days, you received a €1 credit
  • This credit was added to your account wallet
  • It could only be used on that specific ad
  • It expired after 10 days if unused
  • You received reminder emails before it expired

While this worked, it led to a few common issues:

  • Credits appeared and disappeared, which was confusing
  • Many users didn’t realise credits expired
  • It wasn’t always clear which ad a credit applied to
  • Some users assumed credits could be used on any ad
  • Managing a wallet added unnecessary complexity

How the New System Works

The new system removes credits entirely.

Instead, when your ad becomes eligible:

  • The ad itself is marked as having a free bump
  • On the bump screen, you’ll see the Basic Bump option labelled “Free”
  • Tap it, and your ad is bumped instantly

There’s:

  • No payment step
  • No credit deduction
  • No expiry date

It’s a much more direct and transparent experience.


When Do You Get a Free Bump?

The core rule hasn’t changed:

  • If your ad hasn’t been bumped for 30 days, it becomes eligible for a free bump

Once eligible:

  • The free bump stays available until you use it
  • After you use it, the ad can become eligible again after another 30 days

What Happens When You Bump Multiple Ads?

If you’re bumping several ads at once:

  • Ads with a free bump will show as “Free”
  • Others will show the normal €1 price
  • You’ll only pay for the ads that aren’t free
  • If all selected ads are free, you can complete the action instantly without payment

What Stays the Same

While the system has been simplified, some rules haven’t changed:

  • Free bumps only apply to Basic Bumps
  • The 30-day waiting period still applies
  • Certain ads are not eligible, including:
    • Job ads
    • Service ads
    • Imported (feed-based) ads

What Happens to Old Credits?

If you had unused free bump credits under the old system:

  • They’ve been automatically converted
  • Each credit is now applied as a free bump on the relevant ad
  • Nothing has been lost

A Note on Older Ads

To keep things relevant and avoid unnecessary notifications:

  • Only ads active within the past 6 months are automatically considered for free bumps

If you reactivate an older ad:

  • It won’t immediately receive a free bump
  • However, once you bump it again, it resets and can become eligible after 30 days

Why We Made This Change

This update was focused on reducing friction and making the experience more intuitive.

The new system:

  • Removes the need to manage credits or balances
  • Eliminates expiry pressure
  • Makes eligibility visible directly on your ad
  • Lets you act immediately with a single tap

In short, when your ad is eligible — you’ll see it, and you can use it right away.

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