October 23, 2007 at 7:23 pm · Filed under The Future, Treasury · By starrydesigns
jared says:
Come help load test the Treasury West!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_west.php
The Treasury West is a special test configuration of the standard Treasury running on it’s own server. We’ve taken some of what we’ve learned from the recent tests and incorporated them into this version.
Some changes to the rules are as follows:
* 100 maximum lists
* 2 lists per user
* 24 expiration age
The Treasury West is for testing only. It will not be linked to the front page although you’re free to share the links to your lists in the forums or elsewhere.
This test may change or end at any time.
We appreciate your help!
Posted at 6:51 pm, October 23 2007 EST
EDIT
Here is an update from Jared in this thread:
Ok it’s not working but people keep hitting the link.
Please stop so we can fix it!
Locking so we can bury this hopefully. Thanks! I post with an update as soon as I have one.
Posted at 7:39 pm, October 23 2007 EST
October 23, 2007 at 12:39 pm · Filed under Search · By Lis
In this thread, Etsy admin kfarrell said:
We haven’t noticed in increase in the number of mis-tagged items since we started suggesting more tags.
We do realize that our search system is imperfect, and we’re working on a variety of solutions to make it easy for buyers to find what they are looking for.
The best thing to do if you’re searching for a particular item is to enter exactly what you want into the search bar. It actually works really well when you give it all your criteria…
for example, last night one of our lovely engineers entered a search for “gold” and then grumbly started entering various NOT shirt NOT 14k etc etc to filter out what he didn’t want.
So we said “well, what DO you want?”
“14 karat gold jewelry without gemstones”
the search for “14k gold jewelry not gems” turned up tons of what he was looking for.
We are working on search, but it is a very complicated question, with multiple solutions- each of which has its own merits and pitfalls. We understand both the importance of buyers easily finding what the want as well as the need for a speedy and reliable site over the busy holiday season.
For more UEN coverage of this topic, see here and here.
October 23, 2007 at 12:37 am · Filed under Treasury · By Lis
In this thread Jared posted about the success of the Treasury Explosion Party:
We did it! The Treasury explosion party was a brilliant success.
At approximately 12:08am EST, the Treasury crashed with 57 people simultaneously logged on and waiting for the last list to expire (thus opening a new Treasury spot).
This is exactly what we wanted; to view a Treasury crash in semi-controlled conditions.
Now we will retire to our dark examination rooms to pour over the nearly 20 gigs of log files and reports. For those of you a little more visually inclined, here’s a nice graphic of the event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/generated/1702017385/
The fix won’t be immediate, but with this new information we’re more prepared to find and fix it. Thanks everyone for your patience and assistance in the greatest Treasury explosion party in Etsy history!
October 22, 2007 at 9:37 pm · Filed under Features, Search, Tags · By www.bathinginluxury.com aka Soap
New Storque-provided info is incorporated into this post.
October 22, 2007 at 9:21 pm · Filed under Features, Search · By www.bathinginluxury.com aka Soap
Click here for the last UEN post about tagging.HeyMichelle says:
The Search Bar
Search bar is for specific searches- when you know exactly what you want. 2-3 words is best. It works well for some 1 word searches that aren’t across categories, or mean multiple things. If you search for 1 word and don’t find what you want, think of 1-2 more words that describe what you are looking for, (or go to Categories to get ideas). When I add terms to my search, I am automatically eliminating things I DON’T want, in addition to finding what I DO want.
You can also use NOT to eliminate terms from your search.
Categories
Categories is for browsing- when you don’t know exactly what you want or you only know 1 word to describe what you are looking for. If you select a Subcategory you automatically add the tag of the Category to your search. Pulls from all items tagged with that word, whether they are in the top-level Category or not.
Helping Buyers Find Your Items:
Tags
Search works best when sellers DON’T use the wrong tags, and DO use the right tags!
First, check here to see the Do’s & Don’ts of Tagging:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/etsyNews/article/tech-update-small-change-to-suggested-tags/458/
Good Tags!
So, to help buyers find your item in Search or Categories, you should fill your 14 available tags with relevant terms. Think about the types of words that buyers would search for to find your item.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/howTos/article/guidelines-tips-tagging-on-etsy/281/
Also, see this great thread by Dyno (an etsy seller): she outlines a great approach for creating your tags (don’t use “possible use”- the last one- though, it’s one of the Don’ts!:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=23040
Tip: Check the Categories page. You may tag your item with the name of any Category, Subcategory or Subsubcategory if they *accurately* describe your item & don’t violate the Tagging Don’ts. Categories work off of tags…so if you want your item to show up in Accessories>Belt>Women, your item must be tagged with all 3.
Another tip: Tag supplies that are handmade by you with “handmade”.
Feel free to ask any questions here about how search works & tagging! Also, spread the word to other sellers to use those tags wisely!
UPDATE Oct 24:
Limited search tips added - info from Etsy Storque:
Today we’ve instituted a new sidebar on each and every search page. This sidebar showcases helpful hints to searchers who may not know the ropes of the Etsy search engine.
For instance, it’s more accurate to search for more than one word in your search. Searching for 14k gold jewelry will give you more exact results than simply searching for gold when using the main search button.
These and many other tips await you, on the new search sidebar!
Here’s the new info in the sidebar:
Search Tips
• Use two or more words to find exactly what you want
• Use the word NOT to exclude items from your search
• You can sort your results by price, number of views, or date listed
• Use the drop down to search just tags, tags and titles, or tags, titles, and descriptions
• Select sellers: usernames from the drop down to find sellers by name
October 22, 2007 at 5:03 pm · Filed under Treasury · By starrydesigns
Edit by Lis
Jared updated the start time for the party in this thread:
Sorry, moving some HUGENORMOUS files around. I’ve taken the Treasury completely down while doing this.
When it comes back up, that last list should expire around 12:07 EST and the list grab will begin.
Who’s dancing!?
Original Post
Please help crash the Treasury tonight. Yes you heard it right! Read on for details.
jared says:
Tonight we’re having a Treasury explosion party!
Where else but the Treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php
Many of you are aware of the ongoing ‘disconnect’ problems plaguing the Treasury during high traffic list grabs.
What is a high traffic list grab? A normal list grab is when enough lists in the Treasury expire so that the total number of lists drops below 222. At this time, anyone waiting for a Treasury list should in theory be able to create one. A high traffic list grab is when there are 500+ people waiting at the same time.
For reasons undiscovered, some are mysteriously disconnected just before being able to create their list. For others it works fine. In extreme cases the entire Treasury stops accepting new connections and requires rebooting.
Tonight around 9pm EST, a list is going to come up for grabs. Please come help crash the Treasury tonight (Monday)!
We’re going to watch closely with a some custom monitoring tools. This announcement is to help increase the number of people trying to get a list to an explosive level. Watching an explosion will help us understand how to fix it.
Posted at 4:39 pm, October 22 2007 EST
Edit
The party is actually at 11pm EST. See this thread.
October 22, 2007 at 12:52 pm · Filed under Site Terms · By Lis
In this thread, stellaloella clarified Etsy’s reseller policy:
Reselling means you are not the maker of the item; you purchased it and want to sell it again.
Reselling is not allowed in the handmade categories. One of the core concepts of Etsy is that you are buying handmade items direct from the maker.
Items in the Vintage and Commercial Supplies categories are the only exceptions to reselling anywhere on the site (since an Etsy seller is not the maker of a Vintage or Commercial Supply item).
Technically, you could list handmade supplies (not made by you) in the Commercial Supplies category. BUT– we do not want to encourage people to purchase handmade supplies on Etsy and resell them. This is bad for the makers/sellers of handmade supplies, as it causes competition for them with their own items.
October 19, 2007 at 10:16 am · Filed under Street Teams · By Lis
In this thread, Etsy admin wonderamy announced,
Last night, we launched a new version of team.etsy.com.
It is not the long-awaited NEW Teams section - but it is an improvement on what was already there, and is a better organized solution while we wait for the expanded future Teams section. Sarawearsskirts and I are busily working on a bunch of guides and tools to help Teams promote themselves and their members’ shops this Holiday season, and the new design will accommodate those offerings.
Your Team profile pages have not changed much yet, aside from the Etsy header graphics being replaced (your team graphic is still there).
There is now an email signup on the front page of the Teams section. If you are on an Etsy Team, please sign up for a weekly email! We want to keep you in the loop with all of the Teams-related updates, tips, surprises and news for the season.
And….there is a letter from us to you about an exciting new Etsy project for Teams that is launching very soon. Click the links under “Etsy Teams and the Holidays” to get the breaking news.
October 19, 2007 at 3:30 am · Filed under Email Notifications, Etsy Communications · By www.bathinginluxury.com aka Soap
From the Storque:
A very smart man I like to call George Bernard Shaw once said, “The golden rule is that there are no golden rules.”
With that in mind, I am pleased to announce that we will be altering two of our rules for the general benefit of Etsy. Effective immediately, the admin reserve the right to include links and attachments in the emails we send out. We will soon be beginning a number of opt-in emails that will help drive sales and keep users informed. Including links back to Etsy will be essential in making these emails effective, and do not, we have ascertained, pose an increased security risk. Furthermore, we are exploring ways to improve the registration process, and have decided that link-based confirmation may be required. As before, no email from Etsy will ever ask for your password or credit card information. Thanks.
October 19, 2007 at 3:11 am · Filed under Search, Site Use · By www.bathinginluxury.com aka Soap
This post is ongoing coverage of using tags in listings and in searches.
Someone reported what she regarded as a search bug. When she searched her own shop with “rose gold,” she retrieved a listing tagged with “gold” and “rose quartz.” The listing was not tagged with either “rose” or “rose gold.” But according to Chris aka Revolving Dork,
[t]his is the way it’s intended to work, and will likely continue to work — but we’re working on revisions that should make things easier.
A similar example of search bleeding was cited in a recent Storque article discussing removal of inappropriate tags without telling the seller (our previous coverage). In that article, Etsy said a search of “stocking” will pull up items tagged with “stocking stuffer.” Because of this bleed of the “stocking” tag during search, Etsy cited use of “stocking stuffer” for soap as an example of inappropriate tagging. Presumably this is an example of a target for auto-removal once the Etsy tool is implemented.
Etsy also recently expanded the range of tags suggested during the listing flow (http://etsynews.com/471/jewelry-soap-dish-pot-pipe/ ).
kfarrell says:
The suggested tags are meant as a starting point, and can be helpful when trying to think of words to describe your item.
Obviously you will need to use your own judgment and creativity when tagging your particular item.
If you do not find the tag suggestions helpful, you are free to enter your own tags into the boxes, provided they are relevant words to your item.
Interesting to think what would happen if the Etsy-suggested tags are later identified by another Etsy tool as “inappropriate” (due to intentional bleed or some other reason) and automatically removed from the listing(s) without telling the seller. Would the seller’s account be dinged?
My head is spinning.
UPDATE (additional info):
We recently increased the number of tags suggested on step 2 of the listing process to show a maximum of 23 suggestions. . . .
If you do not find the tag suggestions helpful, you are free to enter your own tags into the boxes, provided they are relevant words to your item. When choosing tags, keep in mind the following:
* Do tag your item with a variety of descriptive words.
* Do tag all supplies with the word supplies.
* Do tag all non-handmade goods with commercial. The second tag for all commercial supplies or vintage items should be commercial.
* Do tag your item as mature if it may not be suitable for those under 18. Please see the rules for listing mature content in the DOs and DON’Ts for more specific information.
* Don’t tag your item with unrelated terms. If you have made a bracelet, do not tag it with earrings.
* Don’t tag supplies with potential uses for them. Yarn should not be tagged with hat or scarf.
* Don’t tag your item with gift suggestions. Items should not have tags like Christmas gift or stocking stuffer. You may add these words in your description.
* Don’t put multiple ideas in one tag. It is fine to list sterling silver, jump rings, long sleeve, or diaper bag as one tag because these words are related, and when they stand alone do not relate to the item being listed. However, tagging multiple words such as bracelet pendant clasp in one box is abuse.
* Don’t tag your item with the username of another seller.
* Don’t tag your item with the name or acronym of an Etsy Team to which you are not a member.
You do not need to tag with both the singular and plural.
If there is a particular category you want your item to appear in, you will need to use that exact tag in your listing. So if you want your item to appear in Pets > Toy > Chew, you will need the tags chew and toy in your listing.
Happy tagging!
For more information on tagging, please see these informative Storque articles!
(bolding in original)
