New test? Or a bug?

[#1]

I often go from a listing to a shop home page, to look at what else a seller has to offer.  I just noticed today that clicking on the (now teeny) shop name, within the listing, now goes directly to the "About" section, rather than the top of the shop home page.  It's hard to tell that it's even a shop, let alone that the seller has other listings.

An example, from a listing in my shop ... clicking on the BlackSheepDyeworks link, below the title, takes me to:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackSheepDyeworks?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=272267816&from_page=listing#about

That #about at the end of the url is the culprit; without that added, the url goes to your shop home; but with it added, goes to the about section.

I see this in a different browser/incognito as well, in all listings.  I sincerely hope this is a bug rather than a test or change - it's a really terrible time to be messing around with any limitation on what buyers can potentially see once they (miraculously) land on one of my listings.

[BlackSheepDyeworks]

Yep.  And the timing - incredibly inconsiderate!

[Jewels2at]

It takes me to the shop with all the items for sale showing.

[misshettie]

I'm in the test--goes straight to my About section.

[MouseGarden]

The amount of time I spend each week finding a work around for the latest Etsy tests is becoming a real nuisance. 

Not to mention the customers must be confused by the "hey, if you can't find this section, look for it this other place because Etsy moved it", "hey the black box that leads you away from my shop isn't mine", "the description is now below the reviews...unless it isn't and it's in the clickable drop down..." 

Imagine how much money Etsy would save by not testing things that actually don't need testing, while they break all the code.

[MirageRiverCreations]

In your shop if I go into a listing and click the teeny tiny name beneath the title of the item, it does take me to your about section. If I scroll down to the more items from your shop on the product page, your shop name is much bigger (it was actually missing for a while so now they’ve put it back) and it takes me into your shop.

[TurtleCrossingArts]

Dec 19, 2023  Hello, Please Please Fix or Remove this Ridiculous Test - Hello, The whole Concept use to be for folks to Click onto a Listing then their Shop Name to see their other items: Not their about page. 

More - - -  New Testing #20 for 2023 & again during the Holidays!  How thoughtful. Hello Why would U  Confuse & Frustrate the Consumer even more for their Search.    

[RaineyGirlVintage]

I'm annoyed this test is still going on (I primarily use a mobile browser on my iphone for Etsy browsing, and I'm seeing this About section nonsense on there when I'm in a listing and then click on the shop name to return to the home page.  If I'm in my Cart/Saved for Later, and I then click on the shop name, I'm taken to the NORMAL view which is viewing the entire shop.  When browsing on my laptop, things are normal as well, I'm not taken to the About page.)  Ugh, it's such a waste of time.  Ain't nobody purchasing a shop's About section.

[BlackSheepDyeworks]

"Ain't nobody purchasing a shop's About section."

YES.  Why can't Etsy see this after 8 days if testing?

[BlackSheepDyeworks]

that would be ... 8 days *of* testing ..., too late to edit.

[AmoreTreasure]

I am seeing this too.  And they wonder why they aren't meeting revenue numbers and have to lay off 11% of their staff.  (Apparently, they could get rid of a few more.)   I just added this to the top part of my about section: "To go to my main Etsy shop page, please go here:" followed by a link to my home page.

[EccentricHandbags]

They may have fired the wrong employees.  

[MountainlilyFarm]

At what point are we supposed to delete our about section? No About Section and you are sent directly to the regular home page. I cancelled my Etsy Plus subscription a few days ago when this started. No point in trying to dress up the store front. 

[BlackSheepDyeworks]

@MountainlilyFarm, I hadn't thought of those paying extra for Etsy Plus - good point, as you're not getting what you paid for under this test.

[MyOverstuffedAttic]

Thank you for bringing up Etsy Plus. I just cancelled mine also. There is no point in keeping it.

[BlaqKat]

I just think it would be helpful if they had a forum board where Etsy just stated what tests they were running so people didn't have to constantly query whether it's a stupid test or a bug? And maybe they could even garner useful feedback from sellers and buyers about said test. I know, a useful idea, will definitely never happen!

[CozyExpressions]

They used to.    We were able to see the current and past tests they were running.  

[BlackSheepDyeworks]

@BlaqKat, they no longer disclose test info because they are afraid users (both buyers and sellers) will change behavior, thus influencing the tests.  Valid, to some extent - for example, if they told us about this test, and the majority of sellers removed their about sections in response, they wouldn't be able to gather sufficient data to test whatever this is supposed to be testing.

With so many users now, the percentage who come to the forums, and would actually change behavior is probably insignificant though, for most tests.  It would likely be within a normal margin of error to just let sellers in on the "big secret" and would go a long way toward improving trust/decreasing confusion.

[BlaqKat]

@BlackSheepDyeworks 

I guess that makes sense. But you're right, it would still be such a small amount of people who would know about it if they mentioned it.

Also, I do wonder if people would actually be more interested to assist (i.e. not mess with their shops during testing) if Etsy was more forth coming about why they are doing something.

Surely as sellers it's beneficial for us to know what is happening and why. Especially since we are "boots on the ground" so to speak.

Butt I do think they should, at the very least,  explain the testing after it's happened and then allow sellers and buyers to give their feedback.

[TowelExpressions]

How do we delete our "about" section?  I hate to do this but do not want potential customers directed there rather than to my products.

[BlackSheepDyeworks]

The redirection to the about section test is gone for me today!  Hopefully this test has ended.  Although correlation does not equal causation, I'm sure it didn't help my (dismal, for Dec) sales.

[cindylouwho2]

Good  to hear!