This is what you can sell on Etsy in 2024. ETSY UPDATE.

Summary

Etsy has refreshed its selling policies to clarify what can be sold on the platform, aiming to emphasize handmade items and rebrand itself as a haven for artisans. The update introduces new categories: 'Made by', 'Designed by', 'Sourced by', and 'Handpicked by', each with specific rules. The changes are designed to make it easier for buyers to understand the origin of products and for sellers to know what they can list. Etsy also plans to enhance search algorithms and bring back events like the Etsy UP Conference and Etsy Design Awards to support its community.

Takeaways

• 📢 Etsy has released a new announcement clarifying their policies on what can be sold on the platform and updating the website's front end to provide more information to customers about the products they are purchasing.
• 🔄 The goal of the changes is to make it easier for both sellers and buyers to understand the origin and nature of the items being sold, such as whether they are handmade, designed, sourced, or handpicked by the seller.
• 🎨 Etsy is attempting to rebrand itself as a marketplace for handmade goods, aiming to put sellers' faces and stories at the forefront of a new advertising campaign to keep commerce human, which aligns with their tagline.
• 🔍 The platform is introducing new categories to replace the previous 'handmade', 'vintage', and 'supplies': 'Made by', 'Designed by', 'Sourced by', and 'Handpicked by', each with specific rules and definitions.
• 🛠 'Made by' refers to items that are handmade, hand-altered, or hand-assembled by the seller, using either personal or computerized tools at home.
• 🎨 'Designed by' pertains to items that the seller has designed but had produced by a manufacturing partner.
• 🌿 'Handpicked by' now includes not only vintage items but also items from nature, certain collections, and creatively packaged gift baskets.
• 🛍️ 'Sourced by' applies to craft supplies, party supplies, and buyer-personalized items that are produced by a production partner.
• 📸 Sellers are required to use original photo or video content of the final product in their listings, especially for personalized or custom items, to accurately represent what is being sold.
• 🚫 Etsy maintains the right to remove listings that do not adhere to their policies, and sellers are still responsible for any fees incurred from listing items that do not comply.
• 🔄 The platform is also planning changes in search functionality and is bringing back events like the Etsy Up conference and the Etsy Design Awards to foster community and recognition among sellers.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Etsy's recent announcement?

The main purpose of Etsy's recent announcement is to clarify and refresh their policies regarding what can be sold on the platform and to update the front end of the website to help customers understand more about the products they're buying.

What is the goal of Etsy's rebranding efforts?

The goal of Etsy's rebranding efforts is to emphasize the platform's association with handmade products and to make it clearer to both sellers and buyers what type of items are being sold, whether they are handmade, designed, sourced, or handpicked.

What is the significance of the new advertising campaign by Etsy?

The new advertising campaign by Etsy is significant as it aims to put sellers' faces and stories at the forefront, in an effort to keep commerce human and reinforce Etsy's tagline.

What are the four new categories introduced by Etsy to classify products?

The four new categories introduced by Etsy to classify products are 'Made by', 'Designed by', 'Sourced by', and 'Handpicked by'.

What does 'Made by' category entail according to the new policy?

The 'Made by' category entails products that are handmade by the seller, hand-altered, hand-assembled, or produced by computerized tools at home.

What are the requirements for the 'Designed by' category?

For the 'Designed by' category, sellers must disclose within their listing if an item is created with the use of AI. It also includes items designed by the seller but made by a production partner.

What types of items fall under the 'Handpicked by' category?

The 'Handpicked by' category includes vintage items, items from nature such as plants, herbs, seeds, and soils, and certain collections of items, as well as creatively packaged gift baskets.

What is the 'Sourced by' category for?

The 'Sourced by' category is for craft supplies, party supplies, and buyer-personalized items that are produced by a production partner.

Why does Etsy allow the sale of certain supplies and not others?

Etsy allows the sale of certain supplies to empower makers and enable them to create unique items. They aim to rule out generic resell items and resell blank items to maintain the integrity of the marketplace.

How will the updated policies affect the front end of Etsy's website?

The updated policies will be reflected on the front end of Etsy's website, showing the new categories ('Made by', 'Designed by', 'Sourced by', 'Handpicked by') next to product listings, providing clearer information to customers about the nature of the products.

What should sellers do if their listings do not comply with the new policies?

Sellers should update their listings to be in accordance with the new policies, ensuring that the first image of a personalized or custom item shows a finished, customized item rather than a blank product or placeholder text.