Did Etsy Kill October Traffic? The REAL Cause
š Join The Etsy Games (Free) & Learn how to make more š° on Etsy. Get the framework I used to earn over $550,000 on Etsy & win cash prizes!!!š¤Æ Support, community, motivation & tons of fun!š šGet your FIRST or NEXT Sale within 30 Days!š Join here for FREE:Ā https://www.skool.com/etsy-games-8622/about Ā Did Etsy Kill October Traffic? A Deep Dive into the Podcast Episode Hey there! In my latest podcast episode, I tackled the big question: Did Etsy kill October traffic? Thereās been a lot of buzz about this lately, and itās easy to get caught up in the fearmongering. In this blog post, Iāll break down what I discussed in the episode, covering everything from Etsyās algorithm changes to unexpected events that impacted sales. Letās dive in! Ā Etsy Traffic Concerns: October Drop in Traffic Right off the bat, I addressed the main concern: traffic was noticeably down for a lot of Etsy sellers this October. If youāre an Etsy seller, you probably noticed the dip, and I get itāitās frustrating. But it wasnāt just Etsy sellers who were affected. Many sellers on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari reported similar trends. Ā Overview of October Traffic Decline Across Platforms Itās easy to blame Etsy alone, but a broader look at the market shows a trend across different platforms. So, whatās going on? The spotlight fell on Etsy because of a recent update that made changes to their SEO algorithm. Naturally, when sales slow down, itās human nature to look for a causeāand Etsyās update became the focus. Ā Impact of Etsyās Algorithm Change Etsy rolled out an SEO update in October, placing more emphasis on shipping and offering incentives for lower-cost shipping. The update aimed to make search results more relevant and to prioritize listings with better shipping options. But whenever thereās a change to the algorithm, some shops get hit harder than others. And thatās what sparked a wave of āEtsy killed my trafficā claims. Ā Etsyās Goal: Increasing Purchases Through Algorithm Adjustments I want to set the record straight. Etsyās not out to kill anyoneās traffic. The goal of any algorithm tweak is to get more buyers to make purchases. Etsyās changes are about aligning search results with what buyers are most likely to purchase. Itās not about sinking shops; itās about improving the shopping experience for buyers. Ā Effective SEO Tactics for Etsy and Beyond So, what should you do when Etsyās algorithm shifts? Donāt try to hack the system. Instead, focus on tried-and-true SEO strategies that work not just for Etsy, but for platforms like Google too. Long-term success comes from using solid SEO tacticsālike smart keyword usage and well-structured listingsānot from trying to game the system. Ā Importance of Structured Listings and Keywords The secret sauce to succeeding on Etsy, even during traffic dips, lies in data. I talked about how crucial it is to structure your listings with strong keywords. Give the algorithm what it needs: clear, concise, and relevant data. Thatās how you make sure your products get seen, no matter what changes are happening behind the scenes. Ā Octoberās Natural Disasters Impacting Sales One thing thatās not being talked about enough is the role that Octoberās natural disasters played. We had two major hurricanes that impacted a significant portion of the East Coast, where a large percentage of the U.S. population resides. These hurricanes certainly took a toll on online shopping. Itās hard to think about buying on Etsy when your home is dealing with flooding or wind damage, right? Ā Influence of External Factors on Online Sales Disasters, global events, and local crises all impact online sales. Itās easy to overlook these things when youāre analyzing your Etsy shopās numbers, but external factors can make a big difference. So, before blaming the algorithm entirely, consider what else might be happening in the world. Ā How to Handle Fluctuating Sales Trends Fluctuations in traffic are a natural part of online selling. If youāve been in the game for a while, you know sales ebb and flow. The key is knowing how to ride those waves and not getting discouraged when things slow down. My advice? Focus on what you can controlāyour business, your listings, and your strategy. Ā Focus on Business Improvement During Low Traffic Periods In the podcast, I shared tips on how to use these slow periods to your advantage. Dive deeper into your business and find areas for improvement. Are there ways you can tweak your listings? Is there a new product you can introduce? Use low-traffic times to strategize, so youāre ready to bounce back when sales pick up again. Ā Successful Sellers: Focusing on Actionable Strategies Iāve noticed that the most successful Etsy sellers arenāt spending their time complaining about changes in traffic. Theyāre busy working on their business. Complaining doesnāt bring in salesāaction does. So, stay focused on finding solutions, not on blaming the algorithm. Ā Dealing with Algorithm Changes: A Productive Mindset Itās okay to be aware of changes, but donāt approach them from a mindset of trying to āhackā the system. Instead, see them as opportunities. Knowledge is power, and understanding how updates affect your shop can give you a competitive edge. Use that knowledge to become a better seller and optimize your listings accordingly. Ā Adaptability: Navigating Constant Changes in Online Selling Selling online is all about change. I shared an analogy from āFriendsā where theyāre moving a couch up the stairs, yelling āPivot!ā You have to be willing to pivot when things shift in the online selling world. Stay adaptable and keep your eye on the bigger picture. Ā Final Thoughts: Controlling What You Can In the end, I donāt think Etsy ākilledā traffic. Octoberās dip was likely a mix of algorithm updates and uncontrollable external factors. My advice is to have a thick skin and focus on what you can controlāyour shop, your listings, and your approach. Iād love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so be sure to check out the podcast episode if you havenāt already! And donāt forget to join theĀ Etsy GamesĀ for a fun, supportive way to grow your business within a community of like-minded sellers. Thanks for reading, and I hope this gives you a clearer view of whatās really going on with Etsy traffic and how to navigate it! SEO Keywords: Etsy traffic drop, Etsy SEO update, October sales decline, Etsy algorithm change, Etsy seller tips, natural disasters impacting sales, online selling trends, successful Etsy strategies, Etsy SEO tactics, improving Etsy sales, Etsy Games community.