Etsy rolled out several major platform updates in mid‑2025 that emphasize originality and personalization to elevate the buyer experience. As of June 5, 2025, mandatory identity verification was introduced—requiring sellers to upload a valid government-issued ID and a selfie to retain access to listing & payment features. Non-compliance leads to listing removal or account suspension
Additionally, Etsy clarified its Creativity Standards: 3D-printed or digitally produced items must be based on the seller’s own original designs to qualify as “handmade.” Thousands of listings have been flagged and removed for violating this concept by using third-party templates or unoriginal patterns
On the algorithm front, Etsy’s search functionality has evolved into an AI-driven, behavior-based personalization engine. Instead of simple keyword match, the algorithm now prioritizes engagement metrics—such as clicks, favorites, dwell-time, and mobile interactions—also boosting video listings, sustainable product tags, and regional search trends.
Action Tip: Ensure compliance verification is completed promptly, audit listings for original design authenticity, and optimize photos, titles, and engagement KPIs to align with Etsy’s behavior-first ranking signals.
