There are many people out there telling you how to succeed on Etsy, but most of them are total lies!You’ve probably seen people saying “you need thousands of listings” or “running ads from day one is a must”, but it’s not all true. In this article, we are exposing the top 10 lies you’ve been told and getting you on the right track for success. Otherwise, you will chase some strategies that will cost you thousands of dollars and leave you broke.
Lie #1: You Need a Certain Number of Listings
Some people say you need 100, 500, or even 1,000 listings to succeed. That’s just not true. What really matters is the quality of your listings, not the quantity. If your designs don’t connect with your audience, it won’t matter if you have 5 listings or 5,000—you won’t make sales.
And what about the idea that you have to list new products every day? Also false. I’ve seen stores with fewer than 10 items making millions. One of our stores has only 16 listings, and still, it brings in handsome figures in a year.
The truth? Focus on SEO, great designs, and knowing your audience. The number of listings doesn’t matter.
Lie #2: Etsy Is Too Crowded
People say Etsy is too competitive for new sellers. That’s just not true. Etsy has about 60 million listings—sounds like a lot, right? But compare that to eBay’s 2 billion or Amazon’s 600 million, and you’ll see there’s still plenty of room.
Success isn’t about the number of sellers—it’s about how well you optimize your listings, market your products, and stand out in your niche. I’ve seen brands take over markets in just a few months, not years. The ones saying Etsy is “too crowded” just aren’t putting in the effort.
Lie #3: You Have to Run Ads From the Beginning
Some say you need to run ads from day one to learn about your audience. Bad idea!
If your listings aren’t optimized, or your designs don’t connect with buyers, ads won’t help—they’ll just waste your money.
Focus on strong SEO, great photos, and solid product descriptions first. Ads are a tool to scale, not a magic solution.
Lie #4: Chinese Sellers Are Taking Over
You’ve probably heard people say that Chinese shops are flooding Etsy.
But here’s the truth—less than 5,000 Etsy shops are based in China. Most sellers are from the US, UK, and Canada.
So why do you see so many Chinese products?
Simple. They spend more on ads, so they show up more often. But that doesn’t mean you can’t compete. Your success is still in your hands.
Lie #5: Only Target Rich Buyers
Some claim you should focus on wealthy customers. Wrong. Etsy’s own data shows that 78% of buyers make under $100K a year. Most shoppers aren’t looking for luxury—they want unique, well-made, and affordable products.
Price for value, not just for high-end buyers.
Lie #6: It Takes Months for a Listing to Rank
People say you have to wait 60 to 90 days for Etsy’s algorithm to notice your listing. That’s not true.
If your SEO is strong and your photos are great, you can get clicks within a day.
- Use long-tail keywords,
- write clear descriptions,
- and focus on quality Images
Good listings don’t take forever to get seen.
Lie #7: You Have to Renew Listings Every Day
Etsy’s algorithm doesn’t care how often you renew listings. It cares about quality.
If you upload 100 low-quality listings, they’ll just get buried.
Etsy assigns a “quality score” to each listing. The better your listing performs, the higher it ranks.
Focus on making great products, not on hitting refresh.
Lie #8: SEO Alone Will Get You on the First Page
SEO is important, but it’s not everything. Etsy prioritizes shops that make sales. The more money you generate, the more Etsy pushes your products. A new shop with strong sales can rank faster than an older shop with perfect SEO.
You might say:
“I’ve optimized my listings, but I’m still not getting sales.”
Well, SEO helps you get seen, but if shoppers don’t click or buy, your ranking won’t improve.
Solutions:
Improve Click-Through Rate (CTR): If your listing shows up in search results but isn’t getting clicks, Etsy sees it as low-value.
- Use high-quality, scroll-stopping product images.
- Write a compelling title and description that makes shoppers want to click.
- Offer competitive pricing and clear value (e.g., free shipping, bonuses).
Boost Conversion Rate (CVR): Etsy prioritizes listings that convert into sales.
- Make sure your product photos look professional and showcase different angles.
- Use detailed, persuasive descriptions that answer buyer concerns.
- Add customer reviews and testimonials to build trust.
Drive External Traffic: Etsy rewards sellers who bring in their own buyers.
- Share your products on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to generate outside traffic.
- Run limited-time promotions or influencer collaborations to create buzz.
Leverage Etsy Ads Wisely: A small ad budget can help Etsy recognize that your listing is worth promoting.
- Start with a low budget to test which listings perform best.
- Optimize your listings first—ads won’t help a product that isn’t already converting.
Lie #9: Older Shops Have an Advantage
Some think that new sellers can’t compete with older shops. That’s not how Etsy works.
The algorithm prioritizes listing quality, customer service, and sales—not shop age. A new store with great products and strong marketing can grow just as fast, if not faster.
Lie #10: Ads Guarantee Sales
Ads won’t fix a bad product. If your listing isn’t converting organically, ads won’t change that. Make sure you’re getting views, favorites, and sales before running ads. Otherwise, you’re just paying for traffic that won’t convert.
Lie #11: Lower Prices Mean More Sales
Dropping your prices doesn’t guarantee more sales. In fact, it can hurt you. If your price is too low, buyers might think your product is low quality. Plus, you’ll eat into your profits. Price based on value, not just to be the cheapest.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve busted these myths, you can sell on Etsy with confidence. Ignore the bad advice and focus on what really works. If someone constantly changes their Etsy strategy, they probably don’t know what they’re talking about.
If you want us to help you manage or build your Etsy store, contact us: info@ecomclips.com.
