Etsy Deactivation Glitch?

[OneTribeJewelry]

Over the past few months, Etsy has deactivated several of my items, stating that they "violate Etsy’s Creativity Standards." However, I wasn’t provided with any specific reasons, only a link to Etsy’s Creativity Standards page. I’m really confused because the deactivated items clearly adhere to Etsy’s written guidelines. My products fall under the "Made By Seller" category, specifically "Hand Assembled Items," which allows the use of commercially available supplies that are combined by hand to create a unique end product. For example, they mention attaching charms to a necklace chain or sewing patches onto denim.

One of the listings they removed was for hoop earrings, where I hand-attach a large jewel charm. Another was for earrings I create by attaching a jewel to French ear hooks to make dangle earrings. I don’t understand how these wouldn’t meet Etsy’s own handmade standards. I’m constantly worried that more listings will be deactivated, or worse, that Etsy will shut down my shop altogether. Despite my efforts to comply with all policies, Etsy continues to remove listings that should be allowed.

Could this be a glitch? Or maybe a bot is flagging my items incorrectly? I’ve done reverse image searches and found my photos being used on AliExpress frequently. My images of my handmade jewelry are repeatedly showing up there, and I’ve tried unsuccessfully to get them removed. I’ve even seen my photos on eBay, where I was told that sellers can use other people’s images.

I’ve contacted Etsy support multiple times through chat and was told my issue would be passed on to an “email specialist,” but that was over a month ago, and I haven’t heard back. I’ve tried using the chat again, but it no longer seems to work. As far as I know, Etsy doesn’t provide a contact number. If anyone knows how to reach someone directly, I would really appreciate that information.

This situation is causing me immense stress and sleepless nights. I’m terrified that Etsy might close my shop. I’ve been selling here for 12 years, always with a good track record. I consistently earned the Star Seller badge (until it was revoked because of one of these supposed policy violations), and I always go above and beyond for my customers. My shop is the sole source of income for my family, and I truly love what I do. The thought of losing my business is absolutely devastating.  Any help would be immensely appreciated! 

[CoyoteMountainTack]

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I’ve even seen my photos on eBay, where I was told that sellers can use other people’s images.

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Whatttt??!!

[PlatypusDream]

'I’ve done reverse image searches and found my photos being used on AliExpress frequently."

Etsy's bots are programmed to look for seller photos on wholesale sites and deactivate the Etsy listings for reselling.

You need to tell Aliexpress to remove ALL of your photos. And Ebay, too. They are YOUR intellectual property and you need to defend it, or lose it.

Etsy will continue to take your listings down, causing strikes. Enough strikes, your shop will be permanently nuked.

"I’ve even seen my photos on eBay, where I was told that sellers can use other people’s images."

Did you ask the seller using them?? They are LYING.

[CoyoteMountainTack]

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Did you ask the seller using them?? They are LYING.

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OK that makes sense.

[Adorabilities]

@CoyoteMountainTack 

I would assume that, what eBay meant, was that sellers can use other photos for selling the same items. (Meaning not all photos need to be taken by the seller.)

So if you are selling something mass manufactured (and new) with an SKU, you are able to use that manufacturer's stock photos in your listings. The same would be true on Amazon.

But that's not the same as taking a handmade seller's photo and using it for something that is not actually the same item. You cannot do that anywhere.

[BagmakerSupply]

@OneTribeJewelry: Keep in mind that "violated Etsys creativity standards" can encompass much more than just if it is handmade by you. While we can only speculate on what the trigger was that flagged your listing, one other thing to consider is that rules for Hand Assembled also say "to create a unique end-product". So if two shops are putting the same charm on the same chain only one of them can be unique. And Etsy will not tell you in detail what the trigger was but it would explain why 'similar' items seem to be getting deactivated.

[ThePurplePuppy]

I have seen  it mentioned here in the forum that Etsy no longer considers what you are doing as "handmade" --that it is now considered "designed by". Several people who do the same as you per the charms or your earrings said they figured it out and they can list their items as "designed by" instead of "handmade".

Not kowing Etsy's convoluted thinking I do not know if this is correct or not but you might try that with some listings and see.

[OneTribeJewelry]

Thanks so much for that.  I'll work on figuring how to change that on all my listings.  It didn't used to be an option to my knowledge.

[ChillwolfArt]

@OneTribeJewelry "I’ve even seen my photos on eBay, where I was told that sellers can use other people’s images."

That isn't true. Approx. 4-5 yrs. ago, I discovered one of my item's photos was on ebay. The Seller never claimed they made it, and they used my exact Title. Someone can resell my items (and I'm sure some do), but you have to take your own photos, not steal mine. I called ebay Support, and they were very helpful; they directed me to the ebay VERO Program. I had a short form to fill out, and had to provide a URL to my Etsy Shop. Ebay acted swiftly within a few days, and removed the listing. I used to sell there years ago, so I don't know if that helped with getting my stolen photo removed or not. But they were wonderful, especially the fact that you could call and speak to a HUMAN immediately, and they were very succinct in directing me to their VERO Program. Every site should have a 24 Hr. Human Support system, especially for things like this, as well as Shop related issues (financials, etc.).
So that is incorrect that Sellers are allowed to use other people's images on ebay.

[OneTribeJewelry]

Thanks for the help.  I'm not sure who I spoke to at Ebay but it sounds like I was given wrong information!  I'll try again and see if I can get a different answer and a solution.  

[shipwreckdandysupply]

It could also be a materials/keyword issue--I see your tags have gemstones and such--if you use anything prohibited like @mber, |vory, or even just use those words as descriptors for color, the bot will auto-remove your listing and it can take weeks before they review & sometimes they are just deactivated forever.

[OneTribeJewelry]

Thanks, I've been very careful to NOT use any sort of word even remotely reminiscent of amber or ivory...I've heard all the mayhem that issue has caused.  I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my shop and offer help.