Etsy search visibility issues

[DigitalxArtShop]

Hello Etsy Community,

I’m encountering what appears to be technical issues with Etsy's "Search Visibility" feature, and I wanted to share my experience to see if anyone else has faced similar problems.

I published two new digital items today, and both listings are flagged with warnings that do not seem accurate or applicable. Here are the details:

1. Return Policy:

   • The system states that "2 listings need a return policy to keep buyers in the know," even though it’s clearly indicated by Etsy itself that "Digital items aren't eligible for returns or exchanges on Etsy because of the nature of these items." I cannot modify this policy, yet this warning persists.
     
     
     

2. Collage as Main Photo:

   • I’m being told that "2 listings have a collage as the main photo, which may be hard to see in search." However, none of my photos are collages; they are single, clear images just like my other listings.
     
     
     

3. Shipping Prices:

   • It says, "2 listings have shipping prices of US$6 or more. Consider moving shipping costs into your listing prices."
   • I sell digital items, which obviously do not have shipping costs, and none of my listings include any shipping rates.
     
     
     

4. Photo Quality Issues:

   • The warnings claim that my primary photos are "dimly lit" and "could use sharper, clearer photos to help them pop." Yet the image quality, size, and clarity are identical to the other listings in my shop, which have no such warnings.
     
     

These issues seem to be unique to the two new listings I published today and do not apply to any of my existing listings, even though they are formatted the same way.

Has anyone else experienced similar discrepancies? It seems like a glitch in Etsy's system, and it’s affecting the visibility of my new listings. I hope Etsy can address this soon, as it’s quite frustrating to see unwarranted warnings on listings that meet their standards.

Thank you for reading, and I’d appreciate any insights or advice from fellow sellers or Etsy Support.

Best regards,

Alexandra

[BagmakerSupply]

@DigitalxArtShop: Not to put aside the possibility of a new Etsy glitch, but have you double checked that the two orders have retained their 'digital' rather than 'physical' setting?

[DigitalxArtShop]

Hello!

Thank you for your suggestion! I did double-check, and I can confirm that both listings are correctly set as "digital" rather than "physical." That’s what makes this even more confusing, as the warnings about return policies, shipping costs, and other issues don’t apply to digital items.

It definitely feels like a glitch or an error on Etsy’s end, especially since these warnings are only appearing on the two new listings I published today, while the rest of my shop with similar setups isn’t affected. Thank you again for your input... I am hoping Etsy Support can clarify or resolve this soon.

[LaSardinaRosa]

I've got the same kind of weird suggestion. One listing was just sold/renewed, the second one just edited. the suggestions appeared as soon as I click publish and renew buttons

[DigitalxArtShop]

Thank you for your reply!

It sounds like we were dealing with a similar glitch. Interestingly, the issue seems to have resolved itself for me as well

I tested by publishing a new listing, and no warnings appeared this time. To address the earlier listings, I deactivated them, re-published them, and now the search visibility issues are completely gone.

It looks like it might have been a temporary glitch affecting new or recently edited listings. Hopefully, Etsy is aware of this and it doesn’t happen again, but it’s good to know that deactivating and re-publishing seems to be a quick fix!

[LittleCornerSupplies]

I have the same issue as you but with the 13 items that expired today…. Hope they fix it I don’t have time for the non sense of the AI trying to be smart

[Girlfriendnecklace]

Since I edited my photos for a better "visibility" listings I'm less visible. Oh well... let' s see if they'll eventually fix the visibility

[Cucarachaz]

I have this issue as well and allegedly I have six issues that need addressing. When I click on them, even though I know they do not apply to my listings, I am taken to my "listings" page in my dashboard that shows I have zero items and only two sold out listings. 

I contacted Etsy this morning, but got tired of waiting for them to reply and asked that they reach out to me via email. Have not heard from them. Do not expect to. Just another glitch. 

[PrairiePrimitives]

Glitches are not unheard of on Etsy. Glad it's working for you now! 

[BatknitcrazyDesigns]

I don't have the exact same problem, but it does involve new listings. I looked into this shop from one of my other shops, and all but my 2 newest listings show up on the main page.  I have 14 listings, but only 12 are showing, One is for a hat pattern, and the other is for yarn that I want to de-stash. They show up under the categories, but not on the main page.

I have noticed Etsy making a lot of "suggestions" lately! Not very helpful, I think we have a few of our own for them!! 

I hope it all gets resolved for you!!

[NutmegCottage]

I took an expired listing and listed it as new. No changes. But Etsy found 6 problems that don't apply to this listing. Looks like another Etsy glitch. I wrote to Support and am waiting for a reply.

[peacockanddragon]

I got an auto reply when I complained, good luck, I hope you get somewhere with them

[simplyprettypieces]

The same thing has just happened to me with a new listing, but I have only been flagged up for the return policy. Like the original post, I sell digital products and Etsy have a preset return policy for these that can't be edited. All of the other items in my shop have this Etsy preset policy on them and they don't have an issue. My new listing is the only one that has been flagged, but it has been set up in the same way as my other listings.....it must be a glitch but I don't like seeing it flagged up on my dashboard.