Hi everyone,
Thank you for all your feedback regarding the new local shipping badge. Helping the Etsy seller community bring in more buyers and grow is one of our top priorities. The new local shipping badge we’re testing is one of the ways we’re hoping to do just that.
We really appreciate the thoughtful questions you’ve asked in the Forums so far and hope the answers below provide you with more information.
What is the local shipping badge?
We’re currently testing a badge in the U.S. that highlights when an item is shipping from near the buyer’s location. Because the item doesn’t have to travel as far of a distance, it may help reduce the purchase’s carbon footprint. This can be a motivating factor for potential buyers (which you can read more about below).
How does the badge work?
In this iteration of the test, if a U.S.-based buyer is within approximately 300 miles of or located in the same state as where your shop ships from, we’ll show a nudge on the listing page indicating that the order may result in lower carbon emissions. Shipments eligible for the local badge may reduce carbon emissions for two reasons: 1) They reduce the overall distance an item travels from our global baseline, and 2) They’re more likely to be shipped with ground services, which is a lower emissions mode of transportation than other options.
Here’s what’s exciting: We’ve seen that this badge can motivate buyers to purchase. Specifically, we have seen the badge increase the rate at which buyers add items to cart and complete orders.* We plan to test similar badges in international markets soon.
Could this badge deter buyers who aren’t near me from supporting my shop?
As a global marketplace, we're focused on connecting buyers and sellers from all around the world. Only buyers who are within approximately 300 miles or in the same state as where your shop ships from will see the badge, which might help motivate them to purchase your listing. Buyers who are not near your shop but are looking at your listings will not see any messaging that would discourage them from making a purchase due to your shop’s location.
*Based on a June 2023 experiment.
