If you’re an Etsy seller who relies on ads to drive traffic to your shop, it can be frustrating when they suddenly stop working. There are several reasons why this might happen. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem and get your ads and profitability back on track. Below I’ve listed the top 5 reasons why you’re Etsy ads have stopped working and give you suggestions on how to fix them so you can get profitable again.
Review recent changes.
Your ads on Etsy run on an algorithm. So if you’ve recently made huge changes in your budget or in the listings that you’re advertising, this algorithm might need some time to adjust and figure out what buyers are best to show your ads to. I recommend not changing your ads settings for 3-4 weeks in order to give the algorithm some time to figure it out. If you make changes too frequently, you might not ever give the algorithm time to find your right buyers
Have the seasons changed?
Another reason why your Etsy ads may have suddenly stopped working is due to seasonal changes. Certain products may be more popular during specific seasons, such as holiday-themed items during the winter months or beach-themed items during the summer. If your ads are not tailored to the current season, they may not be as effective. Consider updating your ad strategy to align with seasonal trends and capitalize on popular products during specific times of the year. And remember that big changes in the profitability of your ads are very normal after a huge holiday like Easter or Christmas ends.
Review what is happening with buyer behavior.
It’s important to keep an eye on buyer behavior when it comes to your Etsy ads. Are there certain products that are no longer popular or in demand? Are there new trends emerging that you can capitalize on? By staying up-to-date on buyer behavior, you can adjust your ad strategy accordingly and ensure that your ads are targeting the right audience with the right products.
This also includes national changes outside of Etsy that affect general shopping behavior. Shopping tends to slow down right before or after major holidays, during the summer, and around big national events like an election. You might notice changes during large weather events as well like when hurricanes affect a large part of the coast or when blizzards run through the entire midwest.
Optimize your keywords.
One common reason why Etsy ads may stop working is due to poor keyword optimization. Make sure that your keywords are relevant to your product and are being searched for by your target audience. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Etsy’s own search bar to find popular and relevant keywords. Remember that keyword phrases do change trends occasionally, so check that the keyword phrases that were working for your ads are still in demand.
Increase your budget.
If your Etsy ads have suddenly stopped working, it may be time to increase your budget. This is especially important if your competitors have started to advertise more which can increase competition and therefore the bids per click. Increasing your budget can help your ads reach a wider audience and increase your chances of making sales. However, make sure to monitor your ad performance closely and adjust your budget accordingly to ensure you are getting the best return on investment.
Need more help with ads? Listen to this podcast episode. Then join me in my Etsy JumpStart guide to learn if you’re ready to start Etsy ads and how to make sure they’re profitable.
