Etsy has become one of the go-to places for finding unique, handmade, or vintage goods. Whether you’re purchasing artisanal jewelry, home décor, or personalized gifts, the platform connects buyers with sellers from around the world. Once you’ve received your order and experienced the product firsthand, leaving a review can make a big difference. Your feedback helps future buyers make informed choices and gives valuable insight to the sellers themselves.
But how exactly do you leave a review on Etsy, and what should you include to make your feedback as helpful as possible? Let’s walk through the process and provide some tips to ensure your review is thorough, respectful, and effective.
Why Reviews Matter on Etsy
Leaving a review on Etsy is more than just a way to express satisfaction or disappointment—it contributes to a larger ecosystem of trust and transparency. When buyers leave detailed reviews, they offer real-world context for the items sold, from sizing and color to shipping times and customer service.
- For buyers: Reviews help shoppers determine whether a product will meet their expectations.
- For sellers: Constructive feedback provides opportunities to improve products and services.
- For the Etsy community: A healthy review system encourages accountability and trust.
When Can You Leave a Review?
You can only leave a review on Etsy after you’ve made a purchase and the order has been marked as delivered. Etsy allows buyers to submit reviews within a 100-day window beginning from the estimated delivery date of the item. If you don’t see an option to review your item yet, it may be because:
- The item hasn’t been marked as delivered.
- The 100-day review window has closed.
- You didn’t sign into your account when purchasing (guest checkout).
If you made your purchase as a guest, you’ll need to link your guest order to an Etsy account to leave a review. Etsy typically sends you an email with a link to do this.
How to Leave a Review – Step-by-Step
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the review process:
- Sign into your Etsy account.
- Click on You in the top right corner and select Purchases and reviews.
- Find the order you want to review. If the product is eligible, you’ll see a box labeled ‘Leave a review’.
- Select the star rating (1 to 5 stars).
- Write your review in the provided text box—be honest and specific.
- You may also be prompted to upload a photo of the product.
- Click Submit.
Note: If you’ve already submitted a review but want to make a change, you can edit or delete your review within the 100-day timeframe.
Star Ratings Explained
Etsy uses a 5-star rating system where each level signifies a different level of satisfaction:
- 5 Stars: You’re thrilled with the product and experience.
- 4 Stars: You’re happy overall but have a minor issue.
- 3 Stars: An average experience—some good, some not-so-good.
- 2 Stars: Dissatisfied with the product or service.
- 1 Star: Very unhappy. The product/service did not meet your expectations at all.
Tips on Writing a Helpful Review
Writing an effective review doesn’t just help other buyers—it builds credibility in the seller community as well. Here are some things to consider when crafting your review:
1. Be Honest but Constructive
Sellers appreciate honest feedback, especially when it’s specific. Instead of saying, “It’s bad,” say, “The item arrived later than expected and the material felt thinner than described.”
2. Include Specific Details
Mention what you liked or didn’t like, such as:
- Product quality and craftsmanship
- Accuracy of the item description
- Packing and shipping experience
- Customer service responsiveness
3. Upload a Photo
Photos help other customers visualize what they’ll receive and show how the product looks in real-life settings. This is especially useful for items like apparel or home goods.
4. Be Respectful
Even if you had a negative experience, remain courteous in your tone. A well-worded critical review is more valuable than an angry rant and is more likely to prompt a seller to respond or offer assistance.
5. Avoid Personal Information
Don’t include your home address, personal phone number, or financial details in the review. Keep it focused on the product and the transaction.
What Not to Include in Your Review
To keep the Etsy community respectful and safe, the platform has a content policy. Your review might be removed if it includes:
- Offensive, threatening, or discriminatory language
- Spam or unrelated content
- False claims or impersonation
- Personal information or private communication
Etsy wants reviews to be genuine reflections of your experience—not a place for personal disputes or promotional content. If your review violates their policies, it may be taken down.
Can Sellers Respond to Reviews?
Yes! Once you’ve submitted a 3-star review or lower, Etsy allows sellers to publicly reply. This creates an opportunity for resolution, clarification, or even follow-up on unsatisfactory orders. As a buyer, it gives you additional perspective on how a seller handles feedback.
Editing or Deleting a Review
You can edit or delete your review within 100 days from the estimated delivery date — as long as the seller hasn’t responded to your review yet. Here’s how:
- Go to Purchases and reviews on your Etsy account.
- Find the review you want to change.
- Click on Edit or Delete.
- Make your changes and click Save.
Remember, once a seller replies to a 3-star or lower review, you won’t be able to edit or delete your review—so if you have updates or clarifications, do them early within the time frame.
How Reviews Impact Sellers
Reviews can directly impact a seller’s visibility and success on Etsy. High ratings improve a shop’s search position, signal trust to potential customers, and even factor into Etsy’s decision to grant Star Seller status. Poor reviews, especially if they are frequent or unresolved, can lower a shop’s reliability score.
Your honest feedback gives sellers the chance to improve and adapt. Many small business owners use insights from reviews to refine their products or update listing descriptions. In that way, your voice literally helps shape their business.
Final Thoughts
Whether your experience was glowing or full of hiccups, taking five minutes to leave a thoughtful review can have a powerful impact. You’re not just sharing your opinion—you’re guiding others, empowering sellers, and enriching a vibrant marketplace.
So next time you unbox that handmade mug or customize a name necklace from someone’s creative storefront, take a moment and let them—and the world—know how it went.
