Etsy Search visibility - categories

[CoolCyberCats]

I am sure no Etsy people will read this or care, but why are you insisting I have to better narrow down my category on my Pet Emergency Wallet cards? I set the category to "Pet Supplies /Pet Health & Wellness". While I know you want me to then pick category under that, I cannot because it does not fit into any of the categories under that: Pet Waste, Pet Grooming, Pet Vitamins & Supplements, Pet Dental, Pet Pest Control, Deodorizers & Perfumes". Would you prefer I move it to clothing for women or something on a bottom category chain? How about you add a "MISC" to the Pet Health & Wellness category? Sorry, but given the choices under " "Pet Supplies /Pet Health & Wellness", it is most accurate where it is. Sorry you feel that the ability to locate my product suffer because you do not offer proper category chains.

[GreatStuff80]

You're not alone. Numerous sellers have the same compliant about categories. 

[BagmakerSupply · Accepted solution]

@CoolCyberCats: Don't know if anyone looks at it, but according to Etsy "If you don’t see a category that you think best describes your product, send us a suggestion via our feedback form." https://www.etsy.com/taxonomy-feedback per  https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/362857340643

[CoolCyberCats]

I think the category it is in is perfect actually, unless they added "Emergency/Medical Cards" under that, but that would end up being an almost unused category and useless for the most part.

[FrenchVintagePrints]

Same here. I sell prints and the only relevant category Etsy suggest when listing is Wall Decor. Yet I'm supposed to narrow down. This iis AI at its best. 

[busterbeanknows]

AI sucks!

[MissPussinBoots]

Yup, I sell a few aprons that are 'costume accessories'. They don't really belong in the Apron category, but that is where I MUST put them now because Etsy only offers Hats, Weapons, and Masks under Costume Accessories. So Dumb.

[LittleRedWindow]

Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only person with this issue. If you want me to have a more specific category then give me more options or allow more than one category! Where else do you put knitting patterns other than patterns & blueprints with knitting as the craft, Etsy? I got all excited thinking maybe they added more category options for this new feature. 

[busterbeanknows]

Same here... I sell salvaged rusty metal pieces and found natural objects as supplies.. There are no options for these kinds of supplies whatsoever other than generic "craft supply".. I am not the only shop who sells these kind of objects. I sent in my suggestion for adding a specific category for found object supply... which could be subdivided to metal, wood & plant materials.  I'm not holding my breath but I wish the stupid gray "1 way to improve" bars on every single listing would disappear.. There is no way to improve visibility given the current choices... GRRRRRf!

[SUBSTITUTEstudio]

For multiple items we received 'advise' to change the category to a category they are already in :-s

Recently the category (sub) options already have become more limited.

So with new listings we're sometimes struggling to find an appropriate category.

Back to the old system !

[CoolCyberCats · Accepted solution]

Just wanted to say I never accepted the solution, an Etsy moderator did that.

Using the suggestion for a new category never worked for me, you are still stuck in a category that Etsy is unhappy with and they never used any of my suggestions.

[CozyKittenQuilts]

There is no way they can set one rule fits all like this.  Everyone sells different items and we need different ways to list them.  It just wont work their way for all sellers and products.

[busterbeanknows]

Ebay has a far better search method.. The few issues finding something specific on Ebay is due to a shop/seller error. I'm amazed any buyer can find specifically what they are looking for on  Etsy without unnecessary frustration. 

[PaperandPlastics]

At one time you could choose categories a section at a time, which gave more flexibility. Etsy have now changed it so you only have a limited range of final category choices, which seldom work for me. Etsy need to go back to the old system. Once again so called 'improvements' make thing worse.

[BikiniSandi]

I'm having the same problem. I'm listing a skirt and putting it in the category Skirts, but the system has a problem with it. I believe I put it in the correct category. A skirt belongs under skirts. 

So I list another skirt and the same issue keeps popping up. 

[DivineCrossings]

I have the same issue, but with “style” and “color”.  If Etsy doesn’t provide an adequate category, color or design style, then they should let us type in our own. It’s ridiculous, honestly.