As I shared last November (
https://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/17024759/), we’re always looking for ways to improve search. Our goals are to help shoppers find what they are looking for and help us make online commerce more human through direct interactions between buyers and sellers. We know that getting found in search is a top priority for sellers and that any changes to search can create extra work and stress for you. That's why we want to continue to be as open as we can with you about changes as we make them.
++ What’s New ++
This month, we're starting some tests to tailor search results to individual shoppers based on their history on Etsy. This won’t affect search results on Etsy as a whole, but instead will be specific to the individual, allowing each shopper to find listings relevant to their search that may be more interesting to them.
Our goal for this testing is to identify signals that best match individual shoppers to individual items. Etsy’s search algorithm already considers how shoppers across the site interact with a listing. (See below for more information about how search works on Etsy.) The new tests will look at similar interactions, but from an individual shopper perspective.
We plan to regularly review the results of our testing and make minor adjustments as necessary. We will provide further updates if these tests result in a more permanent change to search.
++ How This Affects Your Shop ++
Overall, listing placement in search may change as we try to connect shoppers with the listings that they’re most likely to purchase. Search results will differ from person to person, so even though you may be using the same search terms as another shopper, you won’t necessarily see the same results, even between your own accounts. These results will be based on the shopper’s account, not on your shop.
Sellers will not see their own items boosted within their search results, but a seller’s listings may be boosted in other shoppers’ searches. If you’d like to see search results unaffected by this targeted search approach, you can log out of your Etsy account or use your browser in incognito mode.
++ How Search Works ++
The factors included in Etsy’s search placement won’t change during these tests. Instead, we will be boosting items that we think shoppers will be more likely to purchase based on their history. As sellers, you still control the most important factors in your own search placement: tag and title relevancy, listing quality, customer and marketplace experience, and recency. If you’d like more information about how search works on Etsy, check out this Help article:
https://www.etsy.com/help/article/34234144469 As always, the best way to monitor your views and performance is to keep an eye on your shop stats. Here are a few resources for understanding and using your Shop Stats:
https://www.etsy.com/help/article/541 https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/22398388701https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/22792705059 We’ll continue to keep you updated if we change any factors in search and keep you informed on how to optimize for search. We look forward to hearing your feedback!
