Copy listing vs. New Listing

[Indigofera]

Hello Team

Does it matter if I copy an existing listing or start from scratch? What are to pros and cons with how it appears in the search. Sometimes I will refresh a listing I have already paid for by editing the title and description.

any tips on what has worked best for you?

[EcoShag]

I've heard pros and cons for both, so I renew and copy. I'd say it's 50/50 for my shop which has worked well so far.

Hopefully someone with more of a technical background replies. ;)

[KevinInmanArt]

I usually copy a listing because it is less work. I do not think it impacts the search either way. Previously if you changed the title of a listing, that would break everyone's favorites, and break all links to the product. I have not checked recently to see if that has been fixed, but I am careful not to change titles of listings after I first post them.

[LisasCottage]

Uh salomea, you must have missed this at the top of the forum: (Please no sharing of fan pages, Treasuries, new item listings in the Etsy Success Forum, unless you are sharing or asking for small business advice.)

[Former_Member]

I think there is not much difference between copying or starting from zero, so I usually copy an item and make the changes to adjust it to the new one... Since you pay the fee again, it's a brand new item in the same right, isn't it??

[HORD]

I usually renew, as I know for sure my treasury placement and favourites will remain - is this the same for copying then?

*confused* hehe

[Former_Member]

I copy a listing whenever I can. It saves so much time. . . but I try to change some of it. . .

I love spam for breakfast. . .

[Indigofera]

Yes Good points about favorites, links and treasuries! Hopefully someone will chime in.

[sunshineandvodka]

I copy mine, it's easier. I only make a "new" listing if it's a new item.

If I have two or more items of the same product though, I just renew so the views, favorites and treasuries are still intact. If you let it lapse, it's gone from all those things, I do know that.

And what's up with the spammer?

[damsontreepottery]

I copy listings to save time and change for a new item - but must remember to change tags, shop section, style etc - sometimes I forget and later find something looking crazy in the wrong section, or totally wrong tags!

If something has sold and I renew it with an almost identical item - ie the difference is because it's handmade and unique - I just click renew - then it keeps all it's views, favs, and treasury stats - which is I guess why some people who've been around for along time and have done this many times can have such high numbers of views etc.

[Former_Member]

There's no difference between copying or creating a new listing. It's just functionality that Etsy built to make it easier for us. For instance, I do a lot of ranges where it makes my life a lot easier to copy.

Caveats:
- You should obviously ensure that you have unique content - so the listings should be different enough
- Sometimes you miss removing/ replacing irrelevant keywords or other things
- It's easy to get lazy when you copy listings
So those are all user and not technology related.

Where it does make a difference is when you renew sold. I think that's advantageous because the link stays the same (that's why SEO companies always recommend setting up 301 redirects if the URL strategy of a company changes).

[Former_Member]

Thanks Jacqueline. I didn't understand the difference before. I always "renew sold" if I have another of the same item to sell. Glad I do!

[HORD]

Ah, that makes sense! I'll probably stick with renewing.

Thanks for all the info!

[Former_Member]

I copy listings for similar items - earrings for earrings, etc. - and make the necessary changes to title, description and tags. Sometimes I miss an inappropriate tag. One time I was copying an older listing that was I think green earrings and it was tagged tangerine. Oops. Be careful with your tags. :)

I think the spammer saw "new listings" in the thread title and assumed that meant to post them all. lol

[philosophiacreations]

I've copied listings in the past, but usually go in and tweak the newer one a bit so it isn't identical to the original. I'm sure that nobody has even noticed, but I feel a bit better about posting the second one when it's even a little bit different. It feels like there might be a greater perceived attention to detail this way, though for the reason mentioned above it's probably mostly for myself that I ultimately do it.