Essential Etsy Updates for Shop Owners!

Essential Etsy Updates for Shop Owners!

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Update 1: Changes to Etsy Search Pages
3. Update 2: Title Display in Etsy Search Pages
4. Update 3: How Etsy Uses Product Descriptions for SEO
5. Update 4: Share and Save Program
6. Update 5: Buyer Offers on Listings
7. Conclusion

Update 1: Changes to Etsy Search Pages

Etsy is constantly evolving its platform, and one recent update that is directly affecting sellers is the change in the shape of the main thumbnail image displayed in search pages. Previously, the main image was a rectangle, but it has now been changed to a square. This change may not seem significant, but it can have a big impact on how your listing is perceived. If you had a graphic or badge on your image that was not centered, it may now be cut off or not visible at all. This could diminish the effectiveness of any advertising you may have done, such as promoting free shipping or same-day shipping. To ensure that your image stands out and conveys the necessary information, it is important to restructure it so that any badges or graphics are centered and fully visible.

Update 2: Title Display in Etsy Search Pages

Another recent update to Etsy search pages is the way titles are displayed. Previously, the entire title of a listing would be shown in the search pages, but now only the first part of the title is displayed. This change is aimed at providing a cleaner customer experience and avoiding overwhelming buyers with excessive words. However, when a buyer clicks on the listing, they will still be able to see the entire title. This means that the first few words of your title are particularly important in catching the buyer's attention. When conducting keyword research, prioritize placing your best-case scenario keywords at the beginning of your title. By doing so, you increase the likelihood of your listing being promoted for those keywords and attracting more potential customers.

Update 3: How Etsy Uses Product Descriptions for SEO

In a recent panel discussion, Etsy employees shed some light on how the platform uses product descriptions for SEO. Previously, it was unclear how Etsy valued descriptions in terms of ranking and search placement. The employees explained that while Etsy doesn't use the product description for candidate matching, they do consider it when determining a buyer's affinity towards a particular style. For example, if a buyer has previously purchased retro-themed items, Etsy may prioritize showing them listings with a retro vibe in their search results. This means that your product description should focus on accurately describing your product and using descriptive keywords that reflect its style, size, materials, and any other important attributes. By doing so, your listing has a better chance of being shown to buyers who are specifically looking for products in that style or category.

Update 4: Share and Save Program

Etsy has introduced a new feature called the Share and Save program. This program allows sellers to earn a four percent commission on the total sale price when someone buys a product through their shared link. To participate, sellers can generate a unique link for their listings and share it on platforms like Instagram or in advertisements. If a buyer makes a purchase through that link, the seller earns a commission. This program can be beneficial for sellers who have excess inventory or want to test out pricing strategies. However, it may not be as advantageous for sellers of handmade artisan goods who put a lot of time and effort into each item. It's important to weigh the potential benefits of the program against the nature of your business before deciding to participate.

Update 5: Buyer Offers on Listings

Etsy now allows buyers to make offers on listings, giving sellers the opportunity to clear out old inventory, encourage bulk sales, or test pricing strategies. While this feature may be beneficial for sellers of vintage items or those with excess inventory, it may not be as useful for sellers of handmade artisan goods. Handmade items often require significant time and effort, and accepting low offers may not be a sustainable business strategy. Sellers can enable the buyer offers feature in the marketing tab of their Etsy account. It's important for sellers to carefully consider the implications of this feature and whether it aligns with their business goals.

Conclusion

Etsy's updates are constantly changing the landscape for sellers. It is essential for sellers to stay informed about these updates and adapt their strategies accordingly. The recent changes to search page layouts, title displays, product descriptions, and new features like the Share and Save program and buyer offers can have a significant impact on the success of your Etsy listings. By staying up to date and leveraging these updates effectively, you can optimize your listings and increase visibility and sales on the platform.

Highlights:

• Etsy has made several updates that can directly impact sellers' listings.
• Changes to the shape of the main thumbnail image in search pages can affect the visibility of important badges or graphics.
• The display of titles in search pages has been truncated, emphasizing the need for impactful keywords at the beginning of titles.
• Etsy considers product descriptions to understand a buyer's affinity towards a particular style.
• The Share and Save program allows sellers to earn a commission when buyers make purchases through their shared links.
• The buyer offers feature enables buyers to make offers on listings, which can be beneficial for certain types of sellers but may not be suitable for handmade artisan goods.

FAQ:

Q: How can I ensure that my important badges or graphics are fully visible in the changed thumbnail image shape? A: To ensure that your important badges or graphics are visible in the changed thumbnail image shape, it is essential to restructure your main image so that they are centered and fully visible.

Q: Should I prioritize placing my best-case scenario keywords at the beginning of my title? A: Yes, prioritizing your best-case scenario keywords at the beginning of your title is important because Etsy now displays only the first part of the title in search pages. Placing your most impactful keywords at the beginning increases the chances of your listing being promoted for those keywords.

Q: How does Etsy use product descriptions for SEO? A: Etsy uses product descriptions to understand a buyer's affinity towards a particular style. While they don't use the description for candidate matching, Etsy considers descriptive words in the description that correlate to a particular style. These words help in determining where your listing should appear in search results.

Q: What are the potential benefits of the Share and Save program? A: The Share and Save program allows sellers to earn a four percent commission on the total sale price when someone buys through their shared link. This program can help sellers clear out old inventory, encourage bulk sales, or test pricing strategies.

Q: Should I enable the buyer offers feature for my listings? A: Whether to enable the buyer offers feature depends on your business model and goals. While it can be beneficial for sellers with excess inventory or vintage items, it may not be suitable for sellers of handmade artisan goods who put significant time and effort into each item. Consider the implications before deciding to enable this feature.