⚠️ Before you send anything — the rule that matters most
Etsy's anti-shilling policy strictly prohibits offering any incentive — a discount, freebie, upgrade, or refund — in exchange for a review, and the FTC's Consumer Reviews Rule backs this with real penalties of up to $53,088 per violation. Never ask for a "5-star" or "positive" review specifically. Every template above asks only for honest feedback — that's not a style choice, it's the only compliant version.
The Rules Behind Every Template
| Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No incentives for reviews | Etsy's anti-shilling policy + FTC Consumer Reviews Rule (up to $53,088/violation) |
| Never ask for a specific rating | "Leave 5 stars" crosses from a review request into review manipulation |
| Keep it inside Etsy Messages | Sharing email/social/external links to solicit reviews violates Etsy's off-platform policy |
| Time it right | Buyers have 100 days to review (from delivery, or first download for digital items) — send your request after they've had time to actually use it, not immediately |
When to Send Each Template
The five templates above map to five different moments in the buyer relationship. Sending the right one at the right time matters more than the exact wording:
- Thank-you note — right after purchase, before they've even used the product. Pure goodwill, no ask.
- Review request — about a week after delivery or download, once they've had a real chance to use it.
- Gentle follow-up — only if there's been no review after the first request. Send once, not repeatedly.
- Response templates — for after a review is left, whether positive or critical. Public responses build trust with future buyers reading your shop's reviews.
Build the listing that earns those reviews
A great review request only works if the product delivers. Craftific.com's Etsy Intelligence module helps you build a listing that sets accurate expectations from the start.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I offer a discount or freebie in exchange for a review on Etsy?
No. Etsy's anti-shilling policy strictly prohibits offering any incentive — discounts, freebies, upgrades, or refunds — tied to a specific rating or review. The FTC's Consumer Reviews Rule, in effect since October 2024, backs this with real penalties of up to $53,088 per violation. Every template this tool generates asks only for honest feedback, with no incentive of any kind.
Can I ask a buyer to leave a 5-star review specifically?
No, and this tool never generates that language. Asking for a specific rating (5 stars, a positive review) rather than honest feedback crosses into review manipulation. The safe, compliant version is asking generally for honest thoughts — which is what every template here does.
How long do buyers have to leave a review on Etsy?
100 days. For physical items, the window starts from delivery (or the estimated delivery date if there's no tracking). For digital items, it starts from the first download. Sending a review request roughly a week after delivery or download — enough time for the buyer to actually use the product — tends to work better than asking immediately.
Can I share my email or social media to follow up about a review?
No. Etsy's policy prohibits sharing contact information (email, phone, social handles, external URLs) for the purpose of taking a conversation off-platform. All buyer communication, including review requests, should stay inside Etsy's own Messages system. Every template here is written to be sent through Etsy Messages.
Does this tool send messages to my buyers automatically?
No. This tool only generates template text for you to copy and send yourself through Etsy's Messages. It doesn't connect to your shop, doesn't access buyer information, and doesn't send anything automatically.