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Sat Aug 5 2017 11:13:05

Sellers Can Expect More Change as Etsy Doubles Tests

By: Ina Steiner

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The number of tests on Etsy has more than doubled compared to the same period in 2016 and 2015. Etsy CEO Josh Silverman felt this was so important, he included a visual presentation of the ramp-up in a presentation to Wall Street analysts on Thursday. The slide was titled, "Significantly increased velocity of experiments."


The new CEO explained there are many more product improvements in the pipeline, stating he places an emphasis on "rapid product experimentation."

"The rate at which we're testing new enhancements, ideas, and opportunities has significantly increased compared to prior quarters."

While management sees this as a positive, sellers are generally not fond of testing, and they aren't fond of change - particularly a rapid rate of change, and certainly not during the busy selling season in the fall and winter months. (Silverman didn't say if there would be a moratorium on testing during the holiday shopping season.)

Etsy's Chief Financial Officer Rachel Glaser acknowledged that not all of the "experiments" (Etsy lingo for tests) have been successful. "We like to say here that we win some and we learn some. So a lot of them have been wins but not all of them have been wins."

That attitude toward testing could be viewed by sellers as a positive. Many sellers believe when a marketplace like Etsy or eBay run tests, it means the company has already committed to the change, so a willingness to abandon an idea that isn't working would most likely be welcomed by sellers.

Etsy has tended to be more transparent about tests than eBay, though it doesn't always explain the details of its experiments. We'll see if Silverman adds or lessens the communication with users about tests.

We'd like to hear from readers if they've been impacted by testing and what they like and don't like. 

And as far as upcoming changes, what should Etsy steer clear of, and what changes would you like to see?

Comments (11) | Leave Comment | Permalink
Readers Comments

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by: ssweet This user has validated their user name.

Sat Aug 5 11:47:41 2017

I think the tests might be shorter than they've been in the past because when I've noticed changes in the traffic to my shop or changes in sales they haven't lasted as long. They haven't been as disruptive though they are worrisome. I am tentatively thinking we may do better with Josh at the helm.

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by: Flying Childers This user has validated their user name.

Sat Aug 5 15:46:15 2017

There is nothing more disruptive or destructive for Etsy sellers than the constant direct testing and experimentation.  We are not lab rats, we are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.    

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by: Sierra This user has validated their user name.

Sat Aug 5 16:30:22 2017

I want to think we'll do better with Josh, and I want to (try to) give him a full year before I say this ain't working. The Etsy ship was taking on water, so it may take awhile to get things back to where sellers are mostly happy with the situation.  

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by: Interesting Antiques This user has validated their user name.

Mon Aug 7 00:52:38 2017

Not happy to be paying full amount while my listings are being played with. Doing away with treasuries was a significant negative-they truly helped expose your listings which gave you sales.
We are opening a shop at artyah.com which is like what the old ebay and old etsy was like.For the money it costs (half of what etsy charges) its worth trying for a year and see what happens.
I'm not holding my breath for our etsy's sales to  regain what they used to be even a year ago, they ruined it for the antiques/vintage when they played with the categories-totally ruined  a great thing

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by: Flying Childers This user has validated their user name.

Mon Aug 7 07:32:01 2017

It's like saying full steam ahead on the Titanic.

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by: Ephemera Dealer This user has validated their user name.

Mon Aug 7 11:42:41 2017

For the love of all that's holy, I wish they'd stop with the damned tests.

How about they ask sellers what we'd like, and then test THOSE things?

Testing for the sake of testing is not helping one little bit.

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by: Sierra This user has validated their user name.

Tue Aug 8 00:21:27 2017

Good luck with ArtYah! I registered there, but they don't have enough traffic to make it worth my time yet.  

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This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Tue Aug 8 09:27:04 2017

Just created my NEW "Responsive" website. Had THREE sales in one day, with a sale a day otherwise. Almost $1,000 in a little over 2 weeks. At this rate, that I'm now Gadget Friendly, the grapevine will be like a successful  "Miracle Grow" experiment  :o) Now I can be seen on the bus, on the train, and I'm even on the plane !.

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by: maxmad This user has validated their user name.

Tue Aug 8 12:32:41 2017

@The End
A big Congratulations on your new site, it's for sure the best way to sell online

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This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Tue Aug 8 19:31:20 2017

Thanks maxmad  :o)

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by: Bogart This user has validated their user name.

Wed Aug 16 23:36:08 2017

Yeah that's all we needed was more frick'n tests. More sales down the drain. Josh fails to mention that is why sellers hate tests and being treated like lab rats. There business goes down the peripheral toilet. Thank god I will be selling less and less on this garbage site.



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