Etsy Makes Tweaks to Search

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Etsy Makes Tweaks to Search

Etsy is making two changes to search. In one change, "visitors can no longer click on a link to a seller's Shop when viewing search results "- instead, "clicking on a Shop name in a listing in search results will lead the buyer directly to the listing page for that seller's item instead of to the Shop home". The other change impacts which listings will show in search results based on the buyer and seller's geographic location.

Etsy had told sellers in early June it would test a change to the listing cards in search results to make the entire card link to the listing that is displayed. "This means that while we will still show your shop name, clicking on the shop name will lead the buyer directly to your listing page."

The reason?

"In our research, we found that it's confusing for buyers to have multiple clickable parts to one listing card, especially for buyers browsing on mobile. We want to determine whether removing extra links has any impact on viewing and purchasing behaviors."

This week, Etsy announced the change would be permanent on Search pages. "We'll also be making this change to all pages across the site over the coming weeks."

"We did not see any change in the number of buyers purchasing a listing that they were searching for and we did see an increase in favoriting on listings. The number of buyers looking at the shop homepage decreased less than 1% during the experiment. This showed that buyers were not using this link to the shop when browsing for listings, and that removing the link did not decrease their interest in clicking on a listing to learn more."

Sellers discussing the announcement on the Etsy boards were confused over the term "listing card" - other sellers explained it referred to thumbnails, as they were previously called. One seller said they had found it helpful to have the choice of clicking on a listing or going directly to the Shop.

With regard to the second change, Etsy explained it's removing the ability for members to select "everywhere" as their account region. This impacts both buyers and sellers. Etsy explained, "Your account region affects a number of things on the site, including your search results. If your region is set to Canada, for example, you will only see items in your search results that ship to Canada unless you change the "Ships To" filter when searching."

It went on to explain, "Keep in mind that we do not limit search results to only items from your country. If your region is set to Canada, you'll still see items from all around the world in search results as long as they ship to Canada."

The region preference can also affect other parts of the site, including which help articles and Seller Handbook articles users see, and it can help Etsy determine whether or not a user is eligible for features or promotions that are specific to a certain country.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Testing Links on Listing Cards in Search

We wanted to let you know that, beginning today, we’ll be testing a change to the listing cards in search results to make the entire card link to the listing that is displayed. This means that while we will still show your shop name, clicking on the shop name will lead the buyer directly to your listing page.

In our research, we found that it’s confusing for buyers to have multiple clickable parts to one listing card, especially for buyers browsing on mobile. We want to determine whether removing extra links has any impact on viewing and purchasing behaviors.

As always, we’ll be sure to let you know if this test becomes a permanent change to the Etsy site. Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your feedback! After observing how removing this link affected buyers’ behavior, we have decided to remove the link to shop home from listings cards (the small listing view we use on pages like search and category pages) on Search pages. Clicking on any part of the listing card will lead to to the individual listing page itself. We’ll also be making this change to all pages across the site over the coming weeks.

We did not see any change in the number of buyers purchasing a listing that they were searching for and we did see an increase in favoriting on listings. The number of buyers looking at the shop homepage decreased less than 1% during the experiment. This showed that buyers were not using this link to the shop when browsing for listings, and that removing the link did not decrease their interest in clicking on a listing to learn more.

To clarify, we are only removing the link; your shop name will still be shown with your listings. We are exploring other ways to increase the visibility of your shop on your listings in the future. We’ll be sure to share any developments as they become available.

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

Retiring “Everywhere” as a Region Preference

Today, we’re removing the ability for members to select “Everywhere” as their account region, which is displayed at the bottom of every Etsy page. Members that already have their account set for “Everywhere” will have their settings updated automatically in the next week or so. Getting accurate regions for all members across Etsy will help ensure that both buyers and sellers see content that is locally-relevant.

Your account region affects a number of things on the site, including your search results. If your region is set to Canada, for example, you will only see items in your search results that ship to Canada unless you change the “Ships To” filter when searching.

Keep in mind that we do not limit search results to only items from your country. If your region is set to Canada, you’ll still see items from all around the world in search results as long as they ship to Canada.

Buyers whose account region was set to Everywhere, however, would often see items that did not ship to them. Imagine the frustration of browsing for the perfect one-of-a-kind item for hours only to find out that the seller doesn’t ship to your country. By taking this simple step of retiring Everywhere, we can better ensure the relevance of Etsy search and show buyers items that they are actually able to purchase.

Your region preference can also affect other parts of the site, like what help articles and Seller Handbook articles you see (some only apply to certain countries). It can also help Etsy determine whether or not you’re eligible for features or promotions that are specific to a certain country.

You can see and update your region setting at the bottom of any Etsy page. If your selected region is inaccurate, just click on the country name to change it. For more information about changing your regional settings, please check out this Help article: www.etsy.com/help/article/493

To make sure your shop’s listings show up correctly in buyers’ search results, please be sure to have accurate ship-to locations in your listings. To learn more about shipping destination settings, check out this Help article: www.etsy.com/help/article/193

Please keep in mind that the region, currency, and language preferences at the bottom of the page affect how you personally view the site. They do not impact the settings of your shop.

Thank you!

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

An Update From Etsy Security

You may receive an email from Etsy’s Trust & Safety team this week regarding the recently disclosed public release of LinkedIn members’ emails and passwords.

If you do not receive an email from Etsy Trust & Safety, we have no reason to believe your Etsy account has been impacted by the LinkedIn breach. This issue only affects people who had an account with LinkedIn in 2012 and who use the same credentials with Etsy now that they did with LinkedIn then.

For members who do receive emails, please reset your password as instructed in the email you received.

To be clear, Etsy has not been breached. We are initiating this password reset out of an abundance of caution due to the public availability of LinkedIn account information that you may have reused for your Etsy account.

Additionally, if you share usernames and passwords across multiple sites, we strongly recommend that you take the following steps to protect your Etsy account(s):

- Start a new session with Etsy by signing out of your account and logging back in. More info: www.etsy.com/help/article/3703.

- Change your password to a new, secure password any time a site you use may have been breached. (More info: www.etsy.com/help/article/49) You should do this any time another site you use is found to have been compromised, especially if you’re using the same username or password elsewhere.

- Enable two-factor authentication, which adds an extra measure of security in addition to your password. (More info: www.etsy.com/help/article/3335)

- Enable sign-in notifications if you are concerned about unwanted activity on your account. If Etsy detects anyone signing in to your account from a new browser or device, you will get an email notification. And if you are signing in via a new browser or device, you’ll be given the option to add it as a trusted device. (More info: www.etsy.com/help/article/3335)

Thank you,
Rich Smith
Director of Security

[Former_Member]

Oh for heaven's sake! Does it never stop? I'm sorry...maybe it's because I don't feel well and am having a difficult time keeping up with the basic work required on my shop every day but I am so tired of all of these changes by Etsy. I'm trying to be open minded but it's so overwhelming!

[DecorDesignsAndMore]

I understand Steph, change is disrupting and only when we fully understand the reason and benefit of a change do we accept it better.

EXAMPLE

The catepiller crawls leaves for food; then just one change the catepiller makes a change in hiding and then in time emerges as a most beautiful flying butterfly . . .

On the subject of search . . . I am always learning and adapting and making mistakes and fixing them too.

My latest thinking is that "Titles" are so important.

Supported by "Tags" and "Keyword Phrases"

Maybe sometimes is it all about using the latest trending buzz word?

Take good care of yourself,

Mike