Etsy is Placing THEIR Search Link buttons at the end of your listing photos

[ItsWrittenOnTheWall]

Have you noticed that Etsy has now placed their search link buttons at the end of your listing photos? Did anyone ask you if they could do this? I did not receive notification about this new procedure and frankly I see it as an invasion of privacy. The search buttons will directly send potential customers of yours off in a million directions which, IMO, will confuse people and they will leave without purchasing anything.  

Please reply if you have any information about this "NEW" mandatory issue

[PersonalizeStation]

Unfortunately, it's been going on for awhile. It stopped recently, then started again. There's a few threads in the forums in regards to it with more information. 

From my understanding, it's an on and off test and/or something that can only be seen when using certain browsers or devices. For example, I see it only in desktop mode. 

I can't think of a single seller who likes this. Etsy can pretty much do what they want, unfortunately. To touch our photo slots is intrusive, especially since they are using them to advertise other sellers' items. 

[ItsWrittenOnTheWall]

I only have it on my desktop computer too, not on my iPhone.

[ChillwolfArt]

Hi, Yes this is a test which I've seen, and there have been several Threads re: this.  It may be permanent right now, I don't know. What's also interesting, a Seller reported that in listings which contain only 1 photo, there is no added black square (with the link to another listing).  But if there are 2 pics or more, this box is added by Etsy.  I've always said, as a Buyer, if I am in a Shop of my choosing, and I am led out of that Shop, I consider it a bait and switch.  I chose to be in that Shop and shouldn't have to struggle to stay in it.

[GlassSlippersByJane]

There have been lots of posts on this subject, most of them angry about this latest test. I had the dreaded black square on my listings for a while, now they are gone. I complained very strongly to Etsy about it, but I don't think their disappearance has anything to do with that. They seem determined to shoot their sellers in the foot with all their constant, mostly unnecessary tinkering. I think they must have employed some expensive tech bods who have to justify their extortionate fee by doing "stuff" even when it is a really really bad idea!

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Etsy is always fussing and changing and trying new things.  My advice is to not get agitated over it and go with the flow.  Etsy is not going to change the way they operate unless the buyers indicate it's not useful.

[TBQSC]

I totally understand everyone's frustration with the black box links / photo slot issue ... it finally happened to my listings too.  But I have found that most of those links are the same ones you would find at the bottom of your listing pages anyway, which are technically your tags and other (+/-) related tags added by Etsy.  So basically we've all been advertising for each other all along, it's just now the advertising location has changed and it feels more intrusive since Etsy is using our photo slots.  I'm okay with it either way ... I mean it IS Etsy's marketplace platform ... we're all just renting space from them, so they have the authority to change things anytime they want.  We all agreed to this (more of less) when we opened our accounts.  I figure "it is what it is", so why stress or complain about something I have no control over?  Guess I'm just learning it's best to relax and roll with the punches.  There's no guarantee any of these tests will stick anyway, and if they do, oh well ... Etsy is a business who is just trying to figure things out and do what's best for them to stay profitable.  Wouldn't you do the same?  Many of you already have by taking your business off Etsy ... you are just doing what is best for you to stay profitable.  I'm not advocating for the tests/changes ... I'm just trying to see/understand both sides of the situation.

[ChillwolfArt]

@TBQSC  I know I only rent space here but no, I'm not OK with this.  A potential Buyer may think the Seller themselves put those links into their photo slot. Then when that Buyer is kicked out, they may not wish to go hunting to find the very Shop (and listing) they were knocked out of. 

[FourSonsWoodworking]

Hmm --- I don't see that in mine with Bing or Chrome. I looked at several listing bt not all of them. Maybe it's only happening for new shops?

[ChillwolfArt]

@FourSonsWoodworking  Hi, Tests are user-based.  So one day you may see it, then another day comes and you don't.

[TBQSC]

@ChillwolfArtsaid "A potential Buyer may think the Seller themselves put those links into their photo slot. Then when that Buyer is kicked out, they may not wish to go hunting to find the very Shop (and listing) they were knocked out of."

I get it, and I didn't mean you (or others) should be ok with it.  I was just expressing my own thoughts on the subject.  Honestly, there is no way to know how or what a potential buyer may think about these new links, or even the other links that have always been on the bottom of the listing pages, which can also kick buyers out so they would have to go hunting to find the item or shop again. 

I do wonder though if everyone sees the same links on a specific listing, or if Etsy mixes them up &/or customizes them for each buyer according to their specific searches.  I did see "crochet kit" on one of my listing photo tags, which is odd because none of my listings are crocheted and I never use the word crochet in any of my tags.  Just something to ponder, I guess.

[ChillwolfArt]

@TBQSC  "I do wonder though if everyone sees the same links on a specific listing, or if Etsy mixes them up &/or customizes them for each buyer according to their specific searches." 

That's a good point.  I assumed we all saw the same words (the links in the photo slot).  But I could be wrong.
_____________

What listing of yours shows "crochet kit" in the photo Tag? (I can look and see if I'm getting the same phrase.  I'm in the test today).

[TBQSC]

@ChillwolfArt -- all my listings no longer show black box photo links, so I guess I am no longer in the test!  That was a fast test, only lasted a few short hours (1/2 day), but if I remember correctly crochet kit was a photo tag on all my quilt listings.  Let me know what you see ...

Update ... they are baaaaccckkk, but only on some listings.  Really weird!

[ChillwolfArt]

@TBQSC This is so weird.  I clicked onto your first 3 listings.  You have no photo slot with the black background and links.  And yet in someone else's Shop earlier, I saw these links (as the last photo slot). LOL (I haven't even cleared my cache since I viewed this photo slot in another Seller's listing).

[TBQSC]

@ChillwolfArt I didn't see them in my first 3 listings just now either so I thought they were done testing ... but they are in other listings.  Crochet kit can be found in the Talking Quilts Special Delivery kit.  I understand the word "kit" being a tag, because THAT is what it is, a kit ... but it is not a crochet kit and doesnt use anything related to crocheting.  What do you see?

[ChillwolfArt]

@TBQSC  Aha, yes I do see it in your listing: Talking Quilts Special Delivery Kit.

Here are the clickable tabs in the photo slot: -baby quilt kit   - baby boy quilt kit   -crochet baby blanket kit   -wilderness quilt kit   
-lookout quilt kit

[LastCentury]

I had it in chrome a while back. Then it disappeared but a lovely orange highlight appeared on my shop name, and yes, I liked it. That disappeared. And now the black box is back again. I don't like it. There are already links across the bottom of my listing to bounce out of my shop. AND 2 rows of listings of items from other shops that the buyer might like. And sometimes even a link & image for wedding items along with another row of images for wedding related items.

Enough links to other peoples stuff already!

This is in Chrome. I haven't seen it in firefox... yet.

[ChillwolfArt]

@LastCentury  I'm not seeing the orange highlight right now.  I clicked onto your first listing, and see your Shop Name at the bottom Right (un-highlighted).  I'm in Chrome, desktop computer. (I saw the highlight the other day; like it too).

[BluePoppyBath]

They are back again in my shop.  Were gone for awhile but now back.  I'm so disappointed Etsy is going this direction.  I pay for the listing, the customer should stay on the page and not be led away.

[PersonalizeStation]

I think it makes sense for any platform to show "related items" somewhere. I can understand that. As a buyer, it helps me out a bit (when search functions properly). 

But in our listings? I feel all violated and stuff LOL

[BuyfromGroovy]

yes you need to populate the tags with all relevant tags or Etsy will use any remaining tags with their own search terms. 

[PersonalizeStation]

We're talking about a black box that comes up in an actual photo in our listings, whether we've used all 10 slots or not. In that photo slot, there are related search terms put there by Etsy. 

The tags show down at the bottom as usual. 

[BuyfromGroovy]

@Personalize Station. Yes, for this one you need to upload all 10 photos so there is no space for this black box. I saw this on one where I had not the full 10 images. I felt a bit violated with this too so took more photos so there was no room for this black slide with search terms. Definitely not one of my favored "new features" lol

[PersonalizeStation]

Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case from what I've seen. It was kind of the same when Etsy decided to add our feedback photos to a slot in our listings.

Even with 10 filled, they added an 11th just for their liking. Sigh. 

And agreed, I'm sure we all want it gone! I'm glad I can only see it in desktop mode....easier to pretend it doesn't exist. 

[anythinggoeshere]

Not a problem.  Buyers will love my items when links lead them to my stuff.