Etsy has once again changed how main images are cropped on mobile

[SmallWonderGifts]

After updating the main image to a 2000x2000 square, Etsy has changed, again, the way images display on phones, cropping them so that objects near the edges of square images are getting cut off. This is hurting conversions

[GreenHeartStudiosUK]

 Just checked this, my god! What did they do? So on the website it’s fine, but on the app everything is cut off and horribly sized. I’m so sick of this. 

[SmallWonderGifts]

right! 

[vintageNCtreasures]

@GreenHeartStudiosUK I
t's not just the app.

I use a desktop, W11 with Edge and pictures are chopped off, zoomed in as well, some pictures distorted.
Those thumbnails in search are AWFUL looking. Makes it look like sellers don't know how to take pictures.

I've been in this absurd test since last week.
Several threads about this.

[TREEandCOW]

I use a 5-4 ratio for my photos and it works fine on all devices.  Etsy recommends a 5-4 or 4-3 ratio.  I looked at it today on my phone's browser, the app and my computer and they're the same.  Maybe you're in some new testing trial?

[SewlyButtons]

@TREEandCOW 

Just curious here. Are you looking at your items on your phone and computer inside your etsy shop? Or are you looking at them as they're being displayed in an etsy search? Because IF you're in the test, the thumbnail image in etsy search is NOT the same as the thumbnail in your shop.

I also have adhered to the 4:3 ratio for my images. The thumbnail in my shop (showing as a square) is fine. However, the thumbnail for the same item in etsy search is being shown in portrait format (vertical). Etsy has essentially cropped / cut off the sides of the square thumbnail to create the vertical portrait image... essentially making the image appear to be considerably zoomed. 

[VintageJewelleryFun]

Is this a trial using a certain number of shops only? Because I am seeing no difference in any of my images when viewed on my phone..

[CostumeCoutureNaomi]

I am looking on my mobile browser, Samsung Galaxy.

On the etsy.com shopping homepage,  I see 4 different photo shapes.  Each section has a different shape.

Section 1 "Jump Into Your Interests" and Section 4 "Categories You'll Love to Shop" are portrait style, rounded corners. 

Section 2 "Discover the Best of Summer 2025" and Section 3 "Recommended for You" are squared, rounded corners

Section 5 "Similar to" is chunky landscape, around 5x4, with sharp corners

"Shop the Look" rounded portrait

Tag photos are circle 

"Save Now on Standout Styles" are rounded squares.

My search results are portrait with rounded corners.

I would not make any changes to my photo shapes.  Right now, there are multiple different shapes for photos. Who knows where Etsy will land.

[PrimFun]

Not only is the app impossible to use now since it jumps all over and does not give me what I want without having to search for it so I really hate the app and any other device where only android is possible.  Okay rant over.

The thumbnail is now portrait.  Someone else said on another thread that was in imitation of Instagram.  Now on Instagram it makes sense but not for retail.

I am no longer pursuing any changes beyond what looks good to me on the listing.  I guess this camel's back while not broken yet is fracturing.   

[ChillwolfArt]

I saw this format the other day (in search results, thumbnail is higher than wide). We have one chance (providing you get found in Search), for the thumbnail to make an impression, and compel the potential Buyer to click. To constantly mess with photos doesn't make sense, but I'm not doing anything with mine. For all we know, thumbnails will be changed to triangular shapes.

[DaysofYoreTreasures]

Here's a link to the current thread discussing vertical (portrait) thumbnails in Etsy search on desktop/laptop devices. It seems a lot of us are in the test now.

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Providing-Great-Customer-Service/ETSY-For-gawd-s-sake-just-STOP-muckin...

[mymolliesunshine]

I always used 3:4 for photos since starting my first shop in 2007, but changed to 1:1 not long ago because Etsy told us to use square photos . So what do they want now?  I'm confused and my photos look horrible on search now.  Does the size difference cause us to be seen lower in search?

[SmallWonderGifts]

Same here, chaned most of my photos to 1:1 

[SewlyButtons]

@mymolliesunshine 
That's a really good question. With etsy using AI more, and AI obviously involved with images (example: alt-text and now search in the mobile app), who knows how AI will interpret the irresponsibly zoomed images created by "testing" portrait format?

[MouseGarden]

I don't like how photos seen in listing manager are usually a different size than all the different sizes seen in search, so I can't see what it looks like to the customers.  Often it looks centered, but that is the old format that they never updated on the back end.

I retook photos to make them centered, and they change the shape again?

Last time they changed the format, it was too close to winter to retake them all in decent light.  I'm tired of their make work projects.