Why Etsy Shops Are Being Suspended

Summary

In this video, Starla Moore, founder of the Handmade Alpha Academy, discusses the increasing number of Etsy shop suspensions. After reviewing 300 suspended accounts, she reveals that 75% of suspensions were due to unintentional rule violations. She covers common reasons for deactivations such as falsifying location, using VPNs, unpaid fees, and violating intellectual property rights. Starla emphasizes the importance of following Etsy's rules to avoid suspensions and warns against scammers offering account restoration services. The video offers practical advice for sellers to protect their businesses and navigate Etsy's automated suspension system.

Takeaways

• 😀 Etsy's automated suspension system is taking down more shops than ever, with millions of listings and tens of thousands of sellers affected.
• 😀 Many suspended Etsy sellers are unaware of the rules they've violated, as Etsy doesn't always provide clear reasons for deactivations.
• 😀 Common reasons for Etsy shop suspensions include falsifying location, using VPNs to alter location, and not providing necessary account information.
• 😀 Sellers who fail to provide valid tax and payment details or have unpaid Etsy bills risk immediate suspension.
• 😀 If you have multiple shops, one suspension due to policy violations may cause all linked shops to be suspended.
• 😀 Dropshipping, selling items you did not design or create, is not allowed on Etsy, but Print on Demand (POD) products are permitted if designed by the seller.
• 😀 Using mockups that do not accurately represent the final product can lead to suspensions, especially if those mockups are not from your print provider.
• 😀 Etsy has a strict policy on intellectual property (IP); you cannot sell items that infringe on trademarks or copyrights, even if they are fan art or popular brand designs.
• 😀 Sellers who are caught selling items with images traced back to mass-market platforms like Alibaba or Temu risk account suspension.
• 😀 IP infringement, whether intentional or not, can lead to suspensions. Etsy relies on IP owners to file claims, and it’s crucial to ensure your designs are original and not derivative.
• 😀 If your account is hacked, Etsy may suspend it to protect both you and the platform, making online safety practices essential for all sellers.

Q & A

Why are so many Etsy shops being suspended in 2024?

Etsy’s automated deactivation system is taking down more shops than ever. According to Josh Silverman, Etsy’s CEO, millions of listings and tens of thousands of sellers have been affected due to stricter enforcement of rules.

What percentage of suspended Etsy sellers were actually violating the platform's rules?

Around 75% of the suspended sellers were found to have broken a legitimate rule, but they were often unaware of the violation due to Etsy not informing them.

What is the role of AI in Etsy account suspensions?

AI plays a significant role in enforcing Etsy’s rules. It operates based on black-and-white rules without room for context, leading to automatic suspensions even for sellers who may have unknowingly violated a policy.

Can anyone help restore a suspended Etsy account?

No, no one outside of Etsy can unsuspend an account. Scammers who offer to restore Etsy accounts for a fee are attempting to steal money, as Etsy’s support system is the only avenue for appeals.

What is the importance of providing accurate account information on Etsy?

Etsy requires accurate details like tax information, bank account details, and sometimes even an ID to verify sellers. Failure to provide this information can result in suspension before the shop even opens.

Why does Etsy suspend accounts for location falsification?

Etsy suspends accounts for falsifying location because it is legally required for tax purposes. Sellers must provide their actual country, even if they use a third-party provider for shipping.

How can using a VPN impact an Etsy seller's account?

Using a VPN can trigger suspicion of account compromise, as Etsy’s system may detect frequent IP address changes. This could result in a suspension, especially if the VPN is used to falsify a seller’s location.

What should a seller do if their Etsy account is suspended due to a rule violation?

If a seller believes their account was suspended unjustly, they should continue submitting appeals whenever possible. Etsy’s appeal system resets approximately every 10 days.

What are some common reasons for Etsy shop suspensions?

Some common reasons for suspension include unpaid bills, having a secondary shop suspended, using mockups that don’t represent the actual product, and selling prohibited items or services.

What types of products are prohibited on Etsy?

Prohibited items on Etsy include products that infringe on intellectual property (IP) rights, including references to copyrighted works like movies, books, and TV shows. Additionally, items related to metaphysical claims or selling services without a physical or digital product are also not allowed.