Etsy sellers actively discuss advertising strategies in r/Etsy, r/EtsySellers, and r/handmade. These communities share candid experiences about Etsy Ads, off-site advertising, and external marketing options.
This guide compiles seller insights from Reddit.
Etsy advertising opinions on Reddit tend toward cautious optimism, with significant frustrations about platform control.
Built-in buyer intent: Like Amazon, Etsy shoppers arrive ready to purchase. Reddit sellers note higher conversion rates compared to social media traffic.
Easy setup: Etsy Ads require minimal technical knowledge. Sellers appreciate the simplicity compared to other advertising platforms.
Organic boost effect: Some Redditors report that advertising increases organic visibility. Sales from ads seem to improve overall shop ranking.
Niche audience: Etsy buyers specifically seek handmade, vintage, and unique items. The audience self-selects for products sold on the platform.
Offsite ads controversy: Etsy's mandatory offsite advertising for larger sellers frustrates many. Reddit threads describe the 12-15% fee on sales from offsite ads as excessive.
Limited targeting control: Unlike other platforms, Etsy offers minimal targeting options. Sellers can't control which searches show their ads.
Inconsistent results: Reddit discussions describe unpredictable performance. What works one month may fail the next without clear cause.
Rising costs: CPCs have increased as more sellers advertise. Reddit sellers report needing higher budgets for results previously achievable with less.
Experienced Etsy sellers share practical advertising advice.
What Reddit recommends:
Budget considerations:
| Shop Size | Daily Budget | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| New shops | $1-3 | Test carefully |
| Established | $5-15 | Focus on winners |
| High volume | $25+ | Broad coverage |
Reddit seller perspectives:
How do these platforms compare for handmade sellers?
| Factor | Etsy Ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer intent | High (shopping) | Lower (browsing) |
| Audience | Handmade seekers | Varied communities |
| Best for | Direct sales | Community building |
| Control | Limited | More flexible |
Relevant subreddits for reaching handmade buyers:
Etsy Ads:
Reddit:
Mixed. Reddit consensus is that Etsy Ads work for established listings with proven demand but waste money on new or poorly-optimized listings. Start small and scale what works.
Most Reddit sellers recommend starting with $1-5/day. Increase only when you see positive ROAS on specific listings. Some profitable shops spend $20-50/day.
Only if your shop earns under $10,000/year. Larger shops must participate and pay 12-15% on sales from offsite ads.
Reddit sellers often suggest building external presence (including Reddit, Instagram, Pinterest) for long-term sustainability and to reduce Etsy dependency.
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