How to Leave a Review on Etsy (Website and App Steps)

Reviews are the lifeblood of small Etsy shops. Most sellers are one person working from a spare room, and a few kind words from a happy customer can make their week as well as help the next shopper decide. Equally, an honest review about a problem helps other buyers and gives the seller a chance to put it right.

Leaving one is quick, but Etsy only gives you a set window, and there are a few situations where the review button simply won't appear. I'll go through the steps on the website and the app, using Etsy's help pages, then cover editing, timing and what to do if something went wrong with the item.

Leaving an Etsy review on the website

1. Sign in on Etsy.com.
2. Go to Your account, then Purchases.
3. Find the item and choose a star rating next to Review this item.
4. Write a description of the item and the service you received.
5. If you like, rate Item Quality, Shipping and Seller Customer Service as well.
6. Add a photo or video if you want to.
7. Select Submit Review.

There's a second route too. Etsy has a Reviews tab in your account: select the item (it's picked automatically if there's only one waiting), choose your stars, write your note and select Submit.

Reviewing an Etsy item in the app

1. Open the Etsy app and sign in.
2. Tap You.
3. Go to Purchases or Reviews.
4. Pick the item, choose your star rating and write your review.
5. Add optional ratings, a photo or a video, then tap Submit.

When you can review an Etsy item

Etsy's help says you can leave a review once the order's estimated delivery date arrives, and you then have 100 days from that date. For digital downloads, the clock starts when you download your files. If a case is open on the order, the window keeps running, but you can't review until the case closes.

So don't leave it too long. If you love something, set yourself a reminder to review it once it's arrived and you've used it for a bit.

How Etsy star ratings work

Detail	What Etsy's help says
Lowest rating	1 star
Highest rating	5 stars
Shop rating	Average of reviews from the past 12 months
What shows with your review	Your display name and a link to your public profile
Extra ratings	Item Quality, Shipping, Seller Customer Service

Because your display name appears next to your words, write as if the seller is reading over your shoulder, because they will be.

Writing an Etsy review that helps the next buyer

• Say what you bought it for: a gift, your home, an event.
• Mention the details photos can't show: size, weight, smell, texture.
• Be fair about delivery: was it as described in the listing?
• Mention any message exchange if the seller went out of their way to help.
• Add a photo of the item in use. Real photos are what other shoppers look for.

If you run your own shop, a thoughtful reply when a buyer reviews you is worth just as much. My prompt pack for replying to customer reviews was written for Google reviews, but the same approach works for answering buyers kindly and quickly.

A quick word on fairness. A one-star review because a parcel was held up by the post feels very different to a small seller than to a big brand, so if delivery was the only issue, say so plainly and rate the item on its own merits in the Item Quality score. Sellers read every word, and specific, kind feedback is the kind they can act on.

Editing an Etsy review after you've posted it

You can change your star rating, photo and written note as many times as you like within the 100-day window, unless a case is open. On the website, go to Your account, then Purchases, select Edit review and then Submit Review. In the app, it's You, Purchases, Edit review, Submit.

There's one catch. Once the seller responds to your review, you can't edit it any more, even if the seller later deletes their response. If you want your original review removed after that, Etsy says to contact it directly.

If something went wrong with your Etsy item

Before writing a low review, Etsy suggests contacting the seller from your order. Many problems are sorted with a quick message. If you can't reach a resolution after 48 hours, you can open a case for Etsy to look at.

Sellers can respond publicly to reviews. If a seller's response breaks Etsy's Terms of Use, you can flag it. And if a seller is abusive or threatening, report it to the platform and, if you're in danger, contact the police.

Why you can't leave a review on Etsy

The help centre lists these reasons the review option may be missing:

1. You checked out as a guest and haven't claimed the order to an Etsy account yet.
2. The 100-day window has passed.
3. The item wasn't bought on Etsy.com or the Etsy app.
4. A case is open on the order. You can review once it closes.
5. The order was cancelled.

If none of those apply and you still can't review within the window, Etsy suggests updating your browser or trying a different one.

Sellers reading this from abroad might also like my guide to selling on Etsy from Egypt, which covers the setup side.

Frequently asked questions

How do I leave a review on Etsy?

Sign in, go to Your account, then Purchases, choose a star rating next to Review this item, write your review, add a photo if you like and select Submit Review. In the app, tap You, then Purchases or Reviews.

How long can I wait before reviewing an Etsy order?

Etsy gives you 100 days from the estimated delivery date. For digital items, the window starts when you download your files.

Can I change my Etsy review?

Yes, within the 100-day window and as long as no case is open. Once the seller responds, you can't edit it any more.

Why can't I review my Etsy purchase?

Common reasons are a guest order you haven't claimed, the 100-day window passing, an open case, a cancelled order, or an item not bought on Etsy.

Can sellers see who left a review?

Yes. Etsy shows your display name and a link to your public profile with your review.