Listings and Star Seller Badge have been removed

[BestoneSparkle]

Hello,

I recently received an email from Etsy’s Trust & Safety team regarding the removal of some listings. I have a few questions and would appreciate your help.

The reason given for removal was that the products did not meet Etsy’s creativity standards. However, the items in question were fully designed and handmade by us. All the photos and videos were taken by our team. I'm confused about what specific policy was violated. Could you please clarify the exact reason?

Also, only two listings were removed from my shop, but my Star Seller badge was taken away. Could you please explain why this happened, and is there any way to help restore the badge?

I tried replying to the email sent by the Trust & Safety team, but the email address appeared to be invalid and the message was undeliverable. Has anyone else experienced this and found a solution?

Thank you very much for your time and assistance.

[TheVintagePineapple]

Could they have been removed for making medical and/or metaphysical claims in the descriptions?

A couple of listings I looked at do make meta claims, such as ''while offering spiritual healing and protection'' and ''balancing the body and mind, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.''

It would be wise to go through your listings and remove anything that suggests healing or promoting energy, spiritual balance, etc.  Any more takedowns and you may lose more than a purple star.

Another reason could be because of the gemstone used.  Were the items made with malachite, bumblebee jasper, or anything known to cause possible problems?  

[PlatypusDream]

https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/services/242665313101

"Metaphysical Services

Metaphysical services may not be sold on Etsy. Examples of prohibited metaphysical services include:

• Reiki and distance healing
• Spellcasting, including “attunement”, “binding”, “activation” and similar services
• Prayers
• Rituals
• Items that advertise a metaphysical outcome (e.g., attracting wealth, love, gambling luck, more business, employment opportunities, or assistance with legal or relationship situations)"

https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/medical-claims/239976157654

"Regardless of accuracy or legality, some types of disease claims are prohibited on Etsy. Though this list is not exhaustive, we do not allow explicit or implied claims that an item:

• Can treat, mitigate, diagnose, or cure a serious disease or medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease
• Can treat, mitigate, diagnose, or cure sexual dysfunction or impotence
• Is, or is as effective as, an analgesic, antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, steroid, vaccine, or decongestant
• Is, or is as effective as, a prescription drug
• Is approved by the FDA"

[BestoneSparkle]

Thank you for your reply.

But I’ve seen many similar shops still using words like “healing” and “protection” in their listings.

[CryzalisMasksUK]

Those similar shops have just managed to get away with it a little longer.

I would concentrate on your own shop and ignore others as once listings are removed for violating Etsy’s creativity standards, you are flagged.

Continue to do the same and it will be followed by shop removal

[BagmakerSupply]

@BestoneSparkle: "But I’ve seen many similar shops still using words like “healing” and “protection” in their listings." Probably the single worst way to determine if something is legal or Etsy-legal is to go by other people's listings. Etsy has been letting a lot of violations slide for a long time and it appears that they are now cracking down on them.

The fact that there are other shops selling similar items only means that they have not been caught yet, or those listings may not contain the same trigger that snared you. Additionally, we will not know how many other listings were deactivated using the same trigger - only those that appear to not have been.

[anodetocreativity]

For starters everyone here are sellers just like you. You're not talking directly to Etsy here. 

Second, are you sure that all your products are designed and made by you. As I have found some of your products on Aliexpress, amazon, and some whole sale websites. If these products are truly your own creations then you need to isses DMCA takedown notices to every seller and website where your items are being listed without your permission.

Etsy does do reverse image searchs and if your products is found on other websites even if your product photos were stolen, Etsy will take down your listing as they believe that you are the one reselling. 

If these products are not your own creations then Etsy will consider it reselling which is not allowed on the platform.

As for the removal of the star seller badge it is just one type of punishment Etsy gives out to sellers for breaking the rules. Other things Etsy can do is lower your rank in search, hold your funds for a period of time, and even shut down your shop. 

I hope this answers some of your questions. 

[BestoneSparkle]

Thank you for your reply.
The product that was taken down was designed by us. However, I noticed that the same design is also being sold on other websites. But our photos are different.

[PoochandTabby]

I suggest doing a Google Lens search. You'll probably find your answer.

It's one thing when someone is stealing your photos, but it's another when they have completely different photos of the exact same items. 

[BestoneSparkle]

Thank you for your reply.

[PlatypusDream]

I suggest adding photos of you actually handmaking the items. 

For example, the Colorful Crystal Butterfly Wing Rings.

A reverse image search reveals nearly identical items on Walmart, Amazon, Shein and Aliexpress.

With all of the very low prices in your shop and with the 60% discount most people would assume you are reselling.

[BootifulLabels]

A quick search on a couple of your items reveals many examples of the exact same items in similar, but not identical photos.  I can see why that would make Etsy think you are not making these items at all.  I suggest you make a video of you making the items and upload it to your shop page.  Then contact Etsy again and ask them to review the decision, pointing them to the video as evidence that you are indeed the maker.  Given the number of identical items out there though, it will need to be a very clear and precise video.  You seem to have a lot of copycat fans out there.