Etsy introduced promoted listings on its Depop marketplace, which it acquired last year for $1.6 billion (primarily cash). The ads are called Boosted Listings, and sellers will pay 8% whenever any of their boosted listings sell.
Etsy has to show investors they will get a return on their $1.6 billion investment – so expect it to monetize Depop as it has with its own Etsy marketplace. (Etsy executives may address the new feature when it holds its 3rd quarter conference call with Wall Street analysts on November 2,)