Etsy ranks listings using factors like shop quality, customer service, listing details, and now, shipping prices for U.S. sellers. As of October 1, 2024, U.S. listings with domestic shipping under $6 are being prioritized in search results.
How Etsy shipping price affects your visibility
- Only U.S.-based sellers shipping non-digital items to U.S. buyers are affected.
- Listings with $6 or lower domestic shipping get search visibility benefits.
- Some listings are exempt, including:
- Digital items
- U.S. to non-U.S. shipping
- Products shipped from outside the U.S.
- Listings over $35 with free shipping guarantee
- Listings using calculated shipping
How to boost your shipping competitiveness
-
Offer free shipping
- Use Printful’s Free shipping toggle in Pricing settings.
- Adjust your retail price to cover shipping costs without hurting profits.
-
Keep shipping flat rates under $6
- Consider shifting part of shipping into your product price.
- Etsy offers a bulk-edit tool in the Search Visibility page to help.
Use Etsy’s new Search Visibility page
Etsy now offers a dashboard with insights and tips related to your shop, listings, and service quality.
Tips to use it effectively:
- Visit Shop Manager → Search Visibility regularly.
- Check which listings have shipping ≥ $6 and reduce or adjust them.
- Follow recommended action steps to improve search ranking.
Other factors that impact visibility
Customer service
- Keep a 4+ star average review rating.
- Respond to messages within 48 hours.
- Maintain a low case rate.
Product listings and branding
High-quality, trustworthy listings help boost your Etsy visibility and win over shoppers.
Use strong visuals
- Upload clear, bright, well-lit product photos.
- Use lifestyle photos to show your products in real-life settings and create emotional connections.
- Avoid cluttered backgrounds and aim for consistency across listings.
- Include at least 5 images per product at 2,000px resolution for better results.
Strengthen your shop’s branding
- Choose a shop name that’s memorable and easy to spell.
- Make sure your shop icon and banner are visually aligned and reflect your brand.
- Add a friendly profile photo and complete your About section to build trust.
- Share behind-the-scenes images or videos to connect with your audience.
Write helpful, detailed descriptions
- Clearly explain product details, including:
- Size, materials, and features
- What’s included in the order
- Care instructions
- Set expectations with a return policy - even a “no returns” policy builds trust.
- Be transparent about shipping timelines, and include delivery estimates and tracking where possible.
Keep a consistent voice and use SEO wisely
- Match your tone to your brand (e.g., fun, calm, elegant).
- Use relevant keywords in titles and descriptions to help listings show up in search, but make sure they fit naturally.
Encourage positive reviews
- Provide excellent customer service and clear product information to reduce confusion.
- Detailed, helpful listings and consistent branding increase the likelihood of receiving 4- and 5-star reviews.
What to do next
Data shows U.S. listings with lower shipping rates get clicked and purchased more often. By adjusting your shipping strategy, you can improve visibility and boost sales.
- Head to Shop Manager → Search Visibility to review flagged listings.
- Use the bulk-edit tool to lower shipping rates or adjust prices.
- Improve listing quality with great photos and a clear return policy.
- Maintain strong customer service metrics.
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