Etsy Removed my Handmade Listing for Creativity Standards

[MyCraftsAndStitches]

Hi Everyone,

My most popular item was removed by Etsy yesterday. I received an email stating that my listing was flagged and removed by Etsy's automated system for violating Etsy's Creativity Standards.  This item is a handmade fabric jar cover. I created the pattern with specific measurements and made it using my sewing machine.    Based on Etsy's Creativity Standards, I did not violate any of the policies for selling on Etsy because the item is completely handmade. It is made from scratch with fabric and elastic, and I used my sewing machine to make it.

I reached out to Etsy and explained about the process on how I made the item, but Etsy Support said they cannot reinstate the listing because their Trust & Safety Team determined my listing was not inline with their policies that can be sold on Etsy.  How else can I prove that this item is handmade? Anyone who sees the item would obviously agree that this is completely handmade. I even offer size customization in my shop. If anyone has had the same experience, how did you address and solve this with Etsy? I don’t know what else to do.  I hope Etsy will really look into this.  

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Check to see if the photo has been stolen.  This is the most likely reason.  Issue a DMCA to any site using your photo and then let Etsy know.

Since you are in the US, you can try a notary public who can sign off on your handmaking the items and submit that to Etsy.

Did you use chat to reach out to Etsy?  Use email instead and attach video or photos of your work area.

[MyCraftsAndStitches]

@JDTotesnDolls

Thank you for your suggestions.  I appreciate it.

[weekendjewelry1]

This issue has been coming up more and more. I was hurrying a bit and haven't had time to look through all these, but I've copied a few of the recent threads showing up here - when you have time, look through them and see if somebody has a useful solution! Or some help at least. And @ArtDollsbyJD above has some super advice. 

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Managing-Your-Shop/Follow-up-Account-suspended-over-handmade-policy-vi...

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Technical-Issues/My-listings-and-star-seller-badge-have-been-removed/m...

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Creative-Process/Items-removed-due-to-Creativity-Standards-violation/m...

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Managing-Your-Shop/Etsy-Wrongfully-Took-Down-My-Handmade-Bestseller-Bo...

This is not all the threads by any means, just a start. I hope somebody has some help for you in them!

[MyCraftsAndStitches]

@weekendjewelry1

Thank you for taking the time sending me the links.  I appreciate it very much!

[artbyjocelyn]

I did today too, found my item via a reverse Google image search, on Amazon with stolen images. I got the take found immediately after following Etsy's request to confirm my legal info, so suspect an image bot got run then too.

It was a popular selling item a while ago. I'm peeved as heck but don't have time to deal with it this week and it's an old listing that has not sold lately so I may just leave it deactivated.

[ArtisanDriedFlowerCo]

The same has happened to me today, my second best selling handmade dried flower bouquet that I have been selling for years. What has happened to ETSY ?.

[OneEyeCatStudio]

What has happened is that Etsy is no longer Keeping Commerce Human with humans.

They are now using bots, and this is one of the unfortunate side effects.

Hopefully they are working on a  correction for this one.

[ArtisanDriedFlowerCo]

My images are all over TEMU !!!. 

[FabioMcMustache · Accepted solution]

Hello! We're sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with your listings. We've forwarded your concerns to a specialist team. Thank you! 

Please know we handle support inquiries privately per our Community Policy – we’re closing this thread, so you can get the support you need from us directly.