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How to Report a Store Manipulating Reviews on Etsy: A Buyer’s Guide

Suspect a shop is playing fast and loose with its reviews on Etsy? You’re not alone. Manipulating reviews damages the integrity of the marketplace and undermines trust for everyone. Fortunately, Etsy has mechanisms in place to address these concerns. Here’s exactly how to report a store you believe is manipulating reviews:

Directly reporting a store for review manipulation involves these key steps:

Gather Evidence: This is crucial. Etsy needs concrete reasons to investigate. Take screenshots of suspicious reviews (e.g., identical wording, overly generic praise, unusually high volume of positive reviews in a short period, reviews mentioning receiving free products without disclosure, or reviews that seem to be for entirely different products). Also, document any communication you’ve had with the seller that suggests review manipulation (e.g., offers of discounts for leaving positive reviews).
Locate the “Report this shop” Button: Navigate to the Etsy shop’s homepage. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, look for the “About” section, and within that section, you should find the “Report this shop” link. Note: the exact wording or location of this link might slightly vary depending on Etsy’s ongoing website updates.
Select the Appropriate Reason: Clicking “Report this shop” will open a form. Choose the option that best describes the situation. Since you’re reporting review manipulation, you’ll likely find a category related to suspicious seller practices or policy violations. If there isn’t a direct option for review manipulation, choose the most relevant category and explain the issue in detail in the provided text box.
Provide a Detailed Explanation: This is where your gathered evidence becomes vital. Clearly and concisely explain why you believe the shop is manipulating reviews. Be specific. Mention the suspicious patterns you observed in the reviews, reference your screenshots, and outline any questionable communication you’ve had with the seller. The more detail you provide, the better Etsy can assess the situation.
Submit the Report: Once you’ve filled out the form and included all relevant information, submit the report to Etsy.

Important Considerations:

Be Objective: Avoid emotional language or accusatory tones. Present the facts clearly and professionally.
Respect Etsy’s Process: Once you submit the report, the investigation is in Etsy’s hands. They may or may not contact you for further information. Be patient and trust that they will handle the situation appropriately based on their policies.
False Accusations: Making false accusations can have serious consequences. Only report a shop if you genuinely believe they are manipulating reviews and have solid evidence to support your claim.
Etsy’s Policy: Familiarize yourself with Etsy’s Seller Policy regarding reviews. This will help you better understand what constitutes review manipulation and strengthen your report.
Review Visibility: Remember, Etsy only displays reviews for valid purchases on the platform. Keep that in mind when assessing review authenticity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Reporting Review Manipulation on Etsy

1. What constitutes review manipulation on Etsy?

Review manipulation can take many forms, including:

Offering incentives (discounts, free products, etc.) for positive reviews without proper disclosure. This violates Etsy’s policy requiring transparency.
Creating fake accounts to leave positive reviews for their own shop.
Asking friends or family members to leave positive reviews without disclosing their relationship to the shop owner.
Buying reviews from third-party services.
Removing or suppressing negative reviews inappropriately.
Writing fake reviews for competitors.
Altering product listings after negative reviews to make the reviews seem irrelevant.

2. What if I suspect a seller is offering discounts for positive reviews but haven’t received a direct offer myself?

If you see widespread evidence of discounts being offered in exchange for reviews (e.g., consistent mentions of free items in reviews without disclosure), you can still report the shop. Include screenshots of these reviews in your report. Etsy will investigate the overall pattern.

3. Can I report a buyer for leaving a fake negative review?

Yes, if you are a seller and believe a buyer has left a fake or malicious negative review, you can report it to Etsy. Provide evidence to support your claim, such as screenshots of conversations with the buyer or evidence that the review is factually inaccurate.

4. How long does it take for Etsy to investigate a reported shop?

There’s no guaranteed timeframe. The investigation time can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the volume of reports Etsy receives, and the availability of resources. Be patient and understand that Etsy needs to thoroughly investigate each claim.

5. Will I be notified of the outcome of my report?

Etsy typically doesn’t provide specific details about the outcome of their investigations. They prioritize the integrity of the marketplace and protect the privacy of both buyers and sellers. You likely won’t receive an email confirming any specific action taken.

6. What if I see a review that violates Etsy’s policies but isn’t necessarily review manipulation?

If a review violates Etsy’s policies (e.g., contains hate speech, personal information, or is irrelevant to the product), you can still report it directly to Etsy. Use the same “Report this shop” button and select the appropriate category for the violation.

7. What happens to a shop that is found to be manipulating reviews?

Etsy may take various actions against shops found to be manipulating reviews, including:

Removing the fraudulent reviews.
Issuing a warning to the seller.
Suspending the seller’s account.
Permanently banning the seller from the platform.
Lowering the shop’s search ranking.

The severity of the punishment depends on the extent and nature of the manipulation.

8. Can I report a shop anonymously?

While you provide your name and email when reporting, Etsy keeps this information confidential. The seller will not know who reported them. However, Etsy may contact you for more information regarding the report.

9. What if I’m worried about retaliation from the seller if I report them?

Etsy prohibits sellers from retaliating against buyers who leave honest reviews or report policy violations. If you experience any form of retaliation (e.g., harassment, threats, or being unfairly blocked from purchasing), report it to Etsy immediately. Keep records of all communication.

10. What if I accidentally left a positive review for a product that turned out to be faulty? Can I change it?

Yes, you can edit or delete reviews you’ve left on Etsy. Go to your “Purchases and Reviews” page, find the order, and click the “Edit” or “Delete” button next to the review. You have 100 days to make changes to a review.

11. Where can I find Etsy’s official policies on reviews and seller conduct?

You can find Etsy’s official policies in their Seller Handbook and Terms of Use, available on their website. Look for sections on “Reviews,” “Seller Standards,” and “Prohibited Items and Activities.” Familiarizing yourself with these policies will help you better understand your rights and responsibilities as a buyer or seller on Etsy.

12. Besides reporting to Etsy, are there other ways I can protect myself from potentially manipulated reviews?

Yes, you can take these additional steps:

Look for verified purchase badges: These indicate the reviewer actually bought the item on Etsy.
Read a range of reviews: Don’t rely solely on the most recent or highest-rated reviews. Look for detailed and balanced feedback.
Check the shop’s overall history: See how long the shop has been operating and how many sales they’ve made.
Use your judgment: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Ask questions: If you have any concerns about a product, contact the seller before making a purchase. Don’t hesitate to clarify any doubts you might have.