How To Avoid Etsy Shop Suspension

No one wants to invest countless hours into researching the market, creating products, and perfecting keywords, only to have their Etsy shop suspended when they launch. That’s why we’re here today—to guide you towards a successful Etsy shop launch and reduce the risk of your shop being banned or suspended by implementing a few simple steps.

Many new sellers make minor errors that can lead to a shop suspension, but these small oversights can easily be corrected to ensure your shop's longevity and success. In this article, I will explain the reasons why an Etsy shop can get suspended or banned, what happens when Etsy suspends your account, and how you can avoid getting suspended.

I’ve launched multiple Etsy shops over the years and managed to avoid suspension by following a set of guidelines that I share with my students. Today, I am sharing it with you too.

Common Reasons Why Etsy Shops Get Suspended or Banned

Etsy shops can get suspended or banned for various reasons. Here are some common ones:

1. Posting too many listings: Uploading more than 30 listings a day can be interpreted as spamming. Even though bulk uploading is a common strategy, limit it to 10-15 listings a day to avoid triggering Etsy’s automated systems.

2. Incorrect data on your Etsy account: Typos in your personal information, banking information, or credit card information can lead to suspension. Double-check all details to ensure Etsy can identify you as a real person.

   
   

3. Purchasing from your own store: Creating a second account to favorite your items or purchasing from your own store can flag your account. Genuine purchases and reviews from friends and family are fine if done correctly.

4. Infringement of intellectual properties: Avoid listing items that infringe on copyrights or trademarks, such as celebrity fan art, movie-related images, or song lyrics. This is a risky area that can lead to suspension

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6. Overdue balances on your Etsy account: Unpaid fees, especially when running Etsy ads, can lead to account suspension. Ensure your credit card information is up-to-date to avoid this.

How to Avoid Getting Suspended or Banned on Etsy

To minimize the chances of suspension, follow these steps:

1. Be mindful of your IP address: If a shop has previously been suspended from a certain IP address, creating a new shop from the same IP can lead to another suspension. Consider launching your shop from a different location.

2. Accurate location representation: Set up your store in the country you are located in to build trust with customers and Etsy.

3. Do not create placeholder listings: Ensure your initial listings are real products that customers can buy. Launch your shop with all assets prepared, including keywords, product images, upload files, and clear descriptions.

4. Provide correct personal information: Double-check your name, address, credit card number, Social Security number, and bank information. Incorrect details can flag your account.

5. Set up your shop properly: Establish a well-branded, fully filled-out shop at the start, including high-quality profile images, logos, banners, shop announcements, policies, about pages, and FAQs. This reduces the possibility of an early suspension.

How to Get Your Etsy Seller Account Back After Suspension

If your account does get suspended, you need to file an appeal. Here’s how:

1. File an appeal with Etsy: This can be done through the platform if you see a red banner indicating suspension or by emailing Etsy support at etsy.com if you can’t log into your account.

2. Use a detailed email template: State that you provide quality products and haven’t violated any rules with corresponding proofs if needed. The appeal process time can vary from the same day to a couple of weeks, so be patient and check your account daily.

3. Request a Call from Etsy Support: If the appeal process is taking too long, you can expedite it by speaking with an actual person from the Etsy team. You can request a call from Etsy Support through the Etsy Help Center.

Learn more

Minimizing the risk of an Etsy shop suspension is achievable by being proactive and following the steps mentioned above. In the rare event of suspension, stay calm, be patient, and remember that many new Etsy sellers have successfully appealed suspensions.

Don’t let any temporary setbacks discourage you from pursuing your entrepreneurial path.

If you’re opening a new Etsy shop, check out this video for more detailed guidance on avoiding suspension and ensuring a successful launch. And for a step-by-step process on building a successful digital product Etsy shop, make sure to check out my FREE masterclass here!