How to avoid Etsy Bans/Suspensions

Summary

In this video, an experienced Etsy seller shares essential tips to avoid bans and suspensions on the platform. The key strategies include taking a slow and cautious approach when starting out, putting effort into creating a professional store with original content, isolating each store to prevent mass suspensions, and understanding Etsy’s rules to avoid common mistakes. By following these tips, sellers can improve their chances of maintaining a successful and long-term presence on Etsy, minimizing the risk of account issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Take things slowly when starting your Etsy store; avoid listing too many products on the first day to prevent suspicion.
• 😀 Avoid rushing your setup; spend time creating a professional logo, banner, and 'About Us' section to build credibility.
• 😀 Invest effort into creating high-quality listings, including detailed descriptions, titles, and original photos, to stand out as a legitimate seller.
• 😀 Be cautious during busy periods like Q4 (October to December) when Etsy sees a surge in new sellers trying to defraud the platform.
• 😀 If you manage multiple Etsy stores, keep them as separate as possible by using different IP addresses, banking details, and other identifiers.
• 😀 Etsy may suspend multiple stores if they are linked together, even if one store is flagged for suspicious activity.
• 😀 Reading Etsy's rules is important to avoid avoidable mistakes and ensure you understand their policies on print-on-demand and digital products.
• 😀 Taking a step-by-step approach to building your store and understanding the platform helps you avoid common pitfalls.
• 😀 Etsy's backend systems can be flawed, leading to suspensions for sellers who aren't necessarily violating the rules.
• 😀 Mitigate the risk of account suspensions by using strategies like proxies and separate banking to insulate your stores from each other.

Q & A

Why might a beginner face a ban or suspension on Etsy?

A beginner may face a ban or suspension not necessarily because they are doing something wrong, but because Etsy’s backend systems are often flawed. These systems may flag suspicious activity, such as rapid listing of many products, even if the seller is not attempting to defraud the platform.

What is the best approach when setting up a new Etsy store?

The best approach is to take things slowly. Avoid listing too many products on your first day and gradually build your store over time. Rapid listing of products can trigger suspicion and potentially result in a ban or suspension.

Why is it important to put effort into your Etsy store’s appearance?

Putting effort into the appearance of your Etsy store, including creating a professional logo, banner, and profile picture, helps establish credibility. Etsy may view sellers who neglect these aspects as potentially fraudulent, while legitimate sellers typically invest time in their storefront.

What does the speaker mean by ‘putting effort’ into product listings?

Putting effort into product listings means providing detailed descriptions, titles, and high-quality photos. Sellers should avoid using generic photos or descriptions, and instead focus on creating unique and informative listings that demonstrate professionalism.

How can multiple Etsy stores be kept separate to avoid mass bans?

To keep multiple stores separate, sellers should ensure each store uses a different IP address (through proxies), separate bank accounts, and distinct personal identifiers. This helps prevent all stores from being banned if one store is flagged for suspicious activity.

What is the risk of not keeping multiple Etsy stores separate?

If multiple stores are linked or associated with the same person, Etsy may suspend or ban all of them if one store is flagged for suspicious activity. This can result in the loss of revenue and a major setback for the seller.

How important is it to read Etsy’s rules when setting up a store?

Reading Etsy’s rules is crucial, especially for beginners. While following the rules may not prevent all bans, it helps avoid simple mistakes that can result in suspension, particularly regarding print-on-demand and digital products.

What are some common mistakes new Etsy sellers make that could lead to a suspension?

Common mistakes include listing too many products too quickly, neglecting to create a professional store design, using generic or reused photos, and failing to follow Etsy’s specific rules for print-on-demand and digital products.

Why should a seller avoid listing 100 products on their first day?

Listing 100 products on the first day can appear suspicious to Etsy, making the platform think the seller may be attempting to defraud customers. A gradual approach to building the store helps avoid this perception.

What can sellers do if they want to avoid being flagged as fraudulent by Etsy?

Sellers should take time to build their store with a professional design, invest in high-quality photos, provide detailed product listings, and follow Etsy’s rules carefully. Avoiding fast and suspicious activity, like quickly listing numerous products, also helps to prevent being flagged.