Resources for Etsy Teams

A Guide to Team Tags

We couldn't be more pleased that the Etsy Teams Program is growing so quickly. There are more members, more items and more Tags than ever. Until recently, the Team Tags were an ever-changing and growing, nebulous list of words and letters with little consistency and not much in common. Even Teams Admin weren't sure what some of fthem were! Imagine how confusing it would be if you were a newbie to the site. To help make Team Tags more useful, we're creating a Team Tag program to make shopping by Etsy Team easier.

Basically, the deal is this: if your Team agrees to include "team" in its tag, then it includes the tag in the program. This means it will be listed on a big list of the Teams participating by including the word "team" with search links and promoted as much as possible by Teams Admin. Also, including "team" makes it much easier for Etsy staff who don't work with exclusively with Teams to recognize a Team Tag when they see it, which means it will be easy for them to include related team items for Storque articles by searching the Team Tag. For Support and Content Admin, it will be easier to help deal with tag abuse because the Team Tags will ideally not just be some crazy acronym, but rather identifiable as a Team tag. That's how this helps with abuse of Team tags - it will make it possible for us to be aware of and recognize Team tags, which will help tremendously.

We have no plans to do anything to hinder the Teams. We want nothing but to enable the Teams. We're not disbanding or deleting Teams that don't add "team" to the tag, but if Teams do add "team", then we'll recognize this by including it in future programs or features that utilize Team Tags. We just want to reward and promote Teams that are helping to make the Team tag program stronger! So, that's the big word on Team tags.

How to Use Your Team Tag:

• To be recognized officially by Etsy as an Etsy Team tag, the Team tag must have the word "team" in it. It can be a separate word, or altogether as one word, but it must contain "team". "Team" can appear in the beginning, middle or end of the tag.
• Do NOT use a Team's tag unless you are sure you are a member of the Team whose tag you wish to use.

• Include the Team Tag on promotional items your Team makes.
• Post links to a search for the tag on other sites, like your Team's website, your personal blog, social networking sites, etc.
• Tell visitors to your shop to search for your Team's tag in your Profile or Shop Announcement!
• In your Note to Buyer, include a note about the Team Tag.
• The best Team tags are easy to remember, include the word "team", and are words or phrases that aren't currently used as tags for other items.

Team Tags FAQ! Clearing up some common misconceptions and confusion.

Will it ever be mandatory? Or will it always be up to each Team?
No, we are not planning on mandating it. We're simply rewarding Teams who comply with this policy in as many ways as possible. Your Team doesn't have to have a tag at all or it can keep a tag without "team" in it. However, we won't promote Team Tags without "team" in them. If your Team chooses to not include "team", you can by all means promote off-Etsy and in the real world however you see fit. We're never going to tell you not to promote your shop or Team.

Do Team Leaders need to forward our team tag to teams@etsy.com?
Yes, that would be helpful! We're collecting a big list of Team Tags to make shopping by Etsy Teams easier.

So we can't promote our tag on Etsy at all if we don't use the word team?
You can do things like include it in your shop announcement or descriptions - we won't be telling you not to do that. But it won't be promoted by the Teams program: i.e.,, we won't include it on the profile pages or in other linked places around the site and the Storque. It's up to you how your Team promotes itself, really (though it's sensible that Teams would want as much promotional help as possible, so we're really encouraging adding those four letters over time).

If we don't use the Team tag, will we still be included on the index?
Your team will still be on the big long index list (the profiles list) for sure. We're not removing anyone from there (unless they ask to be removed). However, Team Tags not including "team" will not be listed on the individual page for your Team.

What additional benefit is there for regional teams to use a team tag?
It would supplement the concept of Shop Local. When you hold local events, you can hand out flyers saying search "philly team", for example, to your guests, to make it easy for shoppers to find your shops later on Etsy. It's an easy way for buyers to pull up all listings from the Team. There are also many of the same benefits that Team tags for global Teams have as well - you can easily make Treasury lists, and Admin can search for items to promote in and around the site.

But we get less representation by Etsy without "team" in our tag?
In a word, yes. We're acknowledging teams that add "team" as participating in the program.

Would we be using two tags for teams: one that says "team" and one with our team name?
No, you don't have to add "team" as a whole other tag. A single tag can be one or two words in the same tag box, up to 18 characters.

Can it be two words? Or three words? How long can the tag be?
We discovered that using two words for the tag is more beneficial for search if shoppers are still searching your old tag - for example, searching "NCTriangle" or "NCTriangle Team" both brings results for items tagged "NCTriangle Team". The length limit is 18 characters.

Can Teams not using the Team tag still make Team Treasuries?
Sure, all Etsy users can make Treasury lists, full of amazing things. Team Treasuries are fantastic. However, if an Admin were to make a Team Treasury for a Storque article, we'd use a Team with "team" in their tag, because they adhere to the guideline and are participating in the Team Tag Program. But all Teams can still make Treasuries. Teams can promote themselves however they like.

So should we have the members add the new tag gradually as they add new listings?
Exactly. By all means, do this switchover gradually. We're not encouraging all-nighters to edit all your listings or any such nonsense. Add the tag when you list a new item, or when you renew or relist existing items.

What to do about items tagged improperly with your Team's Tag:

• If you see someone with a tag of your Etsy Team who is not a member of the team, don't jump to conclusions!
• Team Tag misuse is often a misunderstanding. The seller using the tag incorrectly might not realize it's a Team Tag, or be familiar with the Etsy Teams program.
• Decide among your Team who might be the go-to person for Team Tag interactions (a Team Tag liaison)- it can be the Team leader or another Team member. The liaison should be a calm person and a polite communicator.
• Only Teams with Team Tags that include the word "team" should contact sellers about Team Tags.
• The Team Tag liaison should politely educate the seller in question about their use of the Team tag. Remember to assume that people mean well.
• Use the opportunity to promote your Team! Do mention how great your Team is in the convo and be courteous and positive.
• If possible, invite the seller to become a member of your Etsy Team. Or you may ask that the person remove the tag. Keep in mind that some members of Etsy do not speak English as a primary language, or they might not be aware of the Etsy Teams program.
• If there is no resolution AND you feel that the use of the tag is harmful in some way to your Etsy Team, contact Sara at teams@etsy.com. Please include any history between you and the seller in question. These matters will be handled privately and on a case-by-case basis.