OP:
Been selling on Etsy for 8 years now. Watched this platform go through so many changes. Some good, some... not so much.
Etsy’s beaten me down more times than I can count—suspensions, policy changes, slow seasons—but I’m still here.
Not just Etsy either. Having my own site gave me the breathing room to keep going when things got rough.
The platform’s getting tougher. Everywhere I look, there’s someone trying to sell a “get rich quick” course to new sellers. It’s frustrating to watch.
Anyone else still grinding? Who’s still here?
Answers (6)
Look, Etsy isn’t the wild west it used to be. You can’t just throw up any listing and expect sales anymore. It takes good products, real craftsmanship, and consistent work.
But if you’re willing to put in the time, it’s still a place where small sellers can build something.
For me, the key was learning to adapt. Rules change. The platform changes. You either figure out how to work with it, or you burn out.
I chose to stick with it. Still here. Still selling.
Hope this helps someone. Happy to answer questions.
I want to learn Etsy from scratch. Any courses you’d actually recommend?
OP
Honestly? I don’t have a course to recommend. Most of them just repackage basic info and sell it to beginners. The real way to learn is: open a shop (if you can), start with a few products you actually make, and learn by doing. Free resources—YouTube, seller forums—will teach you more than any paid course. And if someone’s asking for money upfront, be careful. Too many people out there just looking to cash in on beginners.
Heard some rumors that new seller registration might change in 2026. Any truth to that?
OP
Always go by Etsy’s official announcements. If it’s not on their site, treat it as speculation. No point chasing rumors.
Started selling recently. Made a few sales—felt great. Then got suspended. Used the word “vintage” in one listing and they shut me down. Still trying to figure out what I did wrong.
OP
“Vintage” is a specific category on Etsy. If your item doesn’t actually qualify (20+ years old), using that word can trigger a suspension. It’s harsh, but that’s how they enforce it.
Is Etsy mostly custom and handmade? I’ve heard the traffic is decent but never tried it.
OP
That’s the core of it—handmade, custom, vintage. If you’re new to e-commerce, it’s a tough starting point. There’s a lot to learn and plenty of pitfalls.
SellerB
I’ve heard it’s hard to even get a shop approved now.
OP
It’s gotten stricter. Etsy wants to see real sellers with real products. There’s no shortcut around that.