--- title: 🔁 Max Bidding (Auto Bid) Explained description: Learn how ClickBid’s Max Bidding (Auto Bid) feature works, how to identify automatic bids in your admin panel, what bidders see when they’re outbid by a max bid, and how to turn off the feature if needed. --- [Skip to content](https://support.cbo.io/-max-bidding-auto-bid-explained#main-content) ![clickbid\_logo\_22\_left\_0\_margin](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/clickbid_logo_22_left_0_margin.png?width=200&height=59&name=clickbid_logo_22_left_0_margin.png) - [Blog](https://blog.cbo.io/) - [ClickBid Admin](https://cbo.io/admin/login.php) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Blog](https://blog.cbo.io/) - [ClickBid Admin](https://cbo.io/admin/login.php) - [View our Training Videos](https://training.clickbidonline.com/all-courses/) [View our Training Videos](https://training.clickbidonline.com/all-courses/) Welcome to ClickBid's Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ClickBid How To Articles](https://support.cbo.io/?hsLang=en) 2. [Items](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en) 3. [Items Overview & Setup](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en#items-overview-setup) # 🔁 Max Bidding (Auto Bid) Explained ### 👥 What Is Max Bidding? **Max Bidding** allows bidders to set the *highest amount they're willing to pay* for an item. The system then automatically bids on their behalf, only when needed, *without revealing their maximum bid to others*. It’s a convenient way for bidders to stay competitive without constantly watching the auction.= This is sometimes referred to as **Auto Bid** in the admin panel. --- ### ⚙️ How Max Bidding Works for Bidders 1. On the **bidding site**, click **Bid/Set Max** on an item 2. Enter the **maximum amount** you’re willing to spend 3. Click **Set Max** 4. The system will now automatically bid in increments until your max is reached ![set max bid](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/set%20max%20bid.jpg?width=670&height=372&name=set%20max%20bid.jpg) Only the bidder sees their max bid. Other bidders will only see the current leading bid, not that a max is in place. --- ### 🚫 What Happens If Another Bidder Tries to Bid? - The system will **automatically outbid** any regular bids placed *below the max* - The second bidder will immediately see a **red error message** saying: > "Sorry, the next available bid is now \_\_\_\_. Please try a higher bid." - **No outbid text message** is sent to the person with the max bid since the system knows they're already winning --- ### 🧠 What Does “Auto” Mean in the Admin? To check if a bidder used Max Bidding: 1. Go to **Bidders** \> **Manage Bidders** 2. Click the **"has bids"** link on the far right 3. Look at the **Bid Type** column - **Auto** = The system placed the bid for a bidder using Max Bidding - **Regular** = The bidder manually entered their bid --- ### 🤔 Can Two Bidders Have the Same Bid Amount? Yes, but here's how it's handled: - If **Bidder A** sets a **Max Bid** of $620 - And **Bidder B** tries to place a **Regular Bid** of $620 → The system awards the bid to **Bidder A** (who entered their max bid first) ![](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-07-2026-07-35-54-8230-PM.png?width=1541&height=511&name=image-png-Feb-07-2026-07-35-54-8230-PM.png) Even though both amounts are $620, **Bidder A** will win due to earlier placement of the max bid. --- ### 🔧 How to Turn Off Max Bidding If you prefer not to use this feature: 1. Go to **Software Settings** 2. Click **Auction Settings** 3. Select **General Event Details** 4. Toggle **Max Bidding = Off** --- #### 📝 Example Scenario: - **Bidder #102** sets a max bid of **$620** - **Bidder #106** tries to bid **$620** manually - Bidder #106 gets a red message: *“Sorry, the next available bid is now $640. Please try a higher bid.”* - **Bidder #102** is shown as the winner at $620 (with Bid Type: Auto) - [Account & Setup](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Users & Logging In](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#users-logging-in) - [Billing/Renewal](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#billing-renewal) - [Organization Account](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#organization-account) - [Event Settings](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#event-settings) - [Auction Settings](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#auction-settings) - [Welcome Page](https://support.cbo.io/account-setup?hsLang=en#welcome-page) - [Get Started](https://support.cbo.io/get-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Pre-Event Prep](https://support.cbo.io/get-started?hsLang=en#pre-event-prep) - [Creating a New Event](https://support.cbo.io/get-started?hsLang=en#creating-a-new-event) - [Event Day Toolkit](https://support.cbo.io/event-day-toolkit?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Paddle Raise](https://support.cbo.io/event-day-toolkit?hsLang=en#paddle-raise) - [Live Auction](https://support.cbo.io/event-day-toolkit?hsLang=en#live-auction) - [Silent Auction](https://support.cbo.io/event-day-toolkit?hsLang=en#silent-auction) - [Butler](https://support.cbo.io/event-day-toolkit?hsLang=en#butler) - [Volunteer Training](https://support.cbo.io/event-day-toolkit?hsLang=en#volunteer-training) - [Messaging](https://support.cbo.io/messaging?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Text & Emails](https://support.cbo.io/messaging?hsLang=en#text-emails) - [Chat Bidders](https://support.cbo.io/messaging?hsLang=en#chat-bidders) - [Welcome Text, Text Bidders, & Email Bidders](https://support.cbo.io/messaging?hsLang=en#welcome-text-text-bidders-email-bidders) - [Tickets & Sponsorships](https://support.cbo.io/tickets-sponsorships?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Tickets, Sponsorships & Underwriting Overview](https://support.cbo.io/tickets-sponsorships?hsLang=en#tickets-sponsorships-underwriting-overview) - [Reporting & Data](https://support.cbo.io/tickets-sponsorships?hsLang=en#reporting-data) - [Manage Ticketed Guests](https://support.cbo.io/tickets-sponsorships?hsLang=en#manage-ticketed-guests) - [RSVP & Invoicing](https://support.cbo.io/tickets-sponsorships?hsLang=en#rsvp-invoicing) - [Items](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Items Overview & Setup](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en#items-overview-setup) - [Quantity Items / E-Commerce](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en#quantity-items-e-commerce) - [Item Donation Form and Donors](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en#item-donation-form-and-donors) - [FMV & Tax](https://support.cbo.io/items?hsLang=en#fmv-tax) - [Peer to Peer and Donation Campaigns](https://support.cbo.io/peer-to-peer-and-donation-campaigns?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Peer to Peer and Donation Setup](https://support.cbo.io/peer-to-peer-and-donation-campaigns?hsLang=en#peer-to-peer-and-donation-setup) - [Recurring Donations](https://support.cbo.io/peer-to-peer-and-donation-campaigns?hsLang=en#recurring-donations) - [Text to Give](https://support.cbo.io/peer-to-peer-and-donation-campaigns?hsLang=en#text-to-give) - [Embed Your Donation Form](https://support.cbo.io/peer-to-peer-and-donation-campaigns?hsLang=en#embed-your-donation-form) - [Appeal Display](https://support.cbo.io/peer-to-peer-and-donation-campaigns?hsLang=en#appeal-display) - [Bidders](https://support.cbo.io/bidders?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Bidder Setup](https://support.cbo.io/bidders?hsLang=en#bidder-setup) - [Donor Thank You Letters](https://support.cbo.io/bidders?hsLang=en#donor-thank-you-letters) - [Bidder Registration Custom Questions](https://support.cbo.io/bidders?hsLang=en#bidder-registration-custom-questions) - [Reporting & Data](https://support.cbo.io/reporting-data?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Event Reporting](https://support.cbo.io/reporting-data?hsLang=en#event-reporting) - [Credit Card Processing & Payments](https://support.cbo.io/credit-card-processing-payments?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Credit Card Processing & Payments](https://support.cbo.io/credit-card-processing-payments?hsLang=en#credit-card-processing-payments) - [FAQs](https://support.cbo.io/credit-card-processing-payments?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Merchant Account & Merchant Report](https://support.cbo.io/credit-card-processing-payments?hsLang=en#merchant-account-merchant-report) - [Web Content / Event Landing Pages](https://support.cbo.io/web-content-event-landing-pages?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Design & Customization](https://support.cbo.io/web-content-event-landing-pages?hsLang=en#design-customization) - [Accepting Donations From Your Landing Page](https://support.cbo.io/web-content-event-landing-pages?hsLang=en#accepting-donations-from-your-landing-page) - [EventStream Video Streaming](https://support.cbo.io/eventstream-video-streaming?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Virtual Live Auction and Paddle Raise](https://support.cbo.io/eventstream-video-streaming?hsLang=en#virtual-live-auction-and-paddle-raise) - [EventStream FAQ](https://support.cbo.io/eventstream-video-streaming?hsLang=en#eventstream-faq) - [Integrations + Partners](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Neon One](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#neon-one) - [Raiser's Edge NXT](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#raisers-edge-nxt) - [Bloomerang](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#bloomerang) - [Salesforce for Nonprofits](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#salesforce-for-nonprofits) - [Charityproud](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#charityproud) - [Classy](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#classy) - [TravelPledge](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#travelpledge) - [Double the Donation](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#double-the-donation) - [HGA Fundraising](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#hga-fundraising) - [Public API](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#public-api) - [Zapier](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#zapier) - [Virtuous](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#virtuous) - [Charity Experiences](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#charity-experiences) - [Donorperfect](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#donorperfect) - [Little Green Light](https://support.cbo.io/integrations-partners?hsLang=en#little-green-light) - [FAQs](https://support.cbo.io/faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQs](https://support.cbo.io/faqs?hsLang=en#faqs) [![CB Logo Blue-1](https://support.cbo.io/hs-fs/hubfs/CB%20Logo%20Blue-1.png?width=400&height=119&name=CB%20Logo%20Blue-1.png "CB Logo Blue-1")](https://try.cbo.io) ClickBid Training Hub Copyright © 2026, ClickBid Event Fundraising