In plain language
Etsy's Seller Policy covers how sellers treat buyers and use the platform: honest reviews, respectful communication, using Etsy Payments, and not using extra shops to get around the rules. Serious violations can lead to suspension.
Alongside the rules for individual listings, Etsy's Seller Policy covers how you run your shop. Problems here concern the shop as a whole rather than one product, so they can have bigger consequences, including suspension.
Etsy takes review manipulation seriously. It includes:
Etsy can remove manipulated reviews and suspend shops that do this.
Etsy allows sellers to run more than one shop, as long as the shops are disclosed and each one follows Etsy's policies. What isn't allowed is using another shop or account to get around a suspension or restriction, to manipulate reviews or search, or to evade fees or limits.
Etsy fees must be paid when due. Unpaid fees can lead to selling privileges being limited until the balance is paid.
Threatening or harassing buyers, retaliating over feedback, or moving disputes off Etsy to pressure buyers breaks the policy.
Misrepresenting who makes your items, where you are based, or how your shop operates breaks Etsy's honesty rules.
Asking buyers to pay outside Etsy Payments, or offering discounts for paying off platform, is not allowed for Etsy orders.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Etsy's official policy page is the authoritative source.
Read on EtsyWhen a suspension seems to come from nowhere, there is usually a cause that is not obvious from the notice. Here are the less visible reasons Etsy takes action, how to find yours, and how to respond.
A calm, step-by-step plan for the first two days after Etsy suspends your shop: work out which action Etsy took, find the cause, fix it, and submit one clear appeal.
What typically happens between submitting an Etsy appeal and getting a decision, for removed listings, restricted accounts and permanent suspensions, plus what to do while you wait and after the outcome.
Vetsy scans titles, descriptions and tags for patterns tied to Etsy's rules, and explains each risk in plain language.