Suggested searches and potential consumer confusion

[janethillstudio]

Has anyone experienced consumer confusion with the Suggested Search algorithm (circular click links located under the search bar) that display potential search terms such as your shop name with images of another shop’s products?  In my case, both my actual name and my shop name is being paired with images of another shop’s products and I’m experiencing a lot of consumer confusion because of this issue.  Etsy is not providing any help as my trademark (my shop name) is only pending.  Curious if anyone else is finding that their shop name or actual name is being used in combination with another shop’s products in this manner?

[PrimFun]

I'm not sure I understnd what you are seeing.  Are you talking about Explore related searches?   Or are you talking about being in the Marketplace Etsy has where you see this or when a buyer comes in from Google, Bing or any other search engine?   It's been this way for several years now.  To my knowledge there has been little expressed confusion by buyers over this.  At least it has not been a big topic in the forums.

Something on the app?

Without more information it's hard to say.

I've not had customers say anything about any confusion.  

[janethillstudio]

These circular click links appear below the search bar-- after it gives the results to a search inquiry.  They appear below the search bar but above the actual search results.  It appears to be like a suggested search.  If searching my name 'Janet Hill' sometimes but not all the time it will show another artist's listing in the circle with my name beneath it which makes it look as if it's my listing and my art.  I receive weekly emails from buyers about it.

[PillowDetails]

I know what you're talking about - the suggested searches at the bottom of our listings too.  I'm not sure there is much to be done about it.  Other sites have links to similar items - I guess it's up to the Buyer to figure it out.

You can comfort yourself to know your items are most likely shown in search and at the bottom of other shops' listings as well.

[janethillstudio]

Unfortunately we've had buyers purchase from this other shop thinking that they were purchasing from my shop.  It's very misleading.  Also, I don't think people's names or shop names should be paired with the products of other shops?  Initially we thought it had to do with tags, but we haven't found any evidence of that.

[PillowDetails]

OK, I think you are in a league of your own, and I mean that as a compliment.  You have quite a reputation, and apparently, others may use your name to tag along.  I had a hard time finding any that were not yours, though!

[janethillstudio]

Glad to hear its not happening to others.