How to Leave a Review on Etsy (August 2026) Complete Guide

Bought something amazing on Etsy and want to share your experience with the world? Here is the quick version: to leave a review on Etsy, sign in to your account, go to You or Your Account, open Purchases and Reviews, find the item, click Review This Item, choose your star rating, add optional photos and text, then hit Post Your Review (web) or Submit (app). The whole process takes under two minutes once your order qualifies.

Of course, there is more to the story than those quick steps. Etsy’s review system has specific rules around eligibility windows, what happens when you cannot find the review button, and how seller responses affect your ability to edit later. I have spent time digging through Etsy’s policies, community forums on Reddit, and official help documentation to put together a guide that covers every angle. Whether you are using the Etsy mobile app, reviewing as a guest checkout buyer, or trying to figure out why the review option has vanished, this walkthrough answers those questions for 2026.

Reviews matter enormously on the Etsy marketplace. Only about 5 to 10 percent of buyers actually leave feedback, according to sellers who track their shop statistics. That means every single review carries significant weight for a shop owner’s reputation and search visibility. When you take a few minutes to leave a review on Etsy, you are directly helping small business owners and fellow shoppers make better decisions.

What this guide covers:

• The exact steps to leave a review on Etsy.com and the Etsy mobile app

• Review requirements and eligibility rules, including the 100-day window

• How to edit or delete a review after posting it

• Troubleshooting when the review option will not appear

• Best practices for writing reviews that genuinely help others

Why Your Etsy Review Matters

Etsy operates differently from large retailers like Amazon or Target. The platform is built around independent sellers, many of whom run small shops from their homes. A single thoughtful review can make a measurable difference for a seller who has only had a handful of sales. On the flip side, a flood of reviews helps shoppers separate quality shops from ones that might disappoint.

Reviews on Etsy use a five-star rating scale. Buyers can assign one to five stars and include written comments along with up to five photos. These photos are especially valuable because they show real customers holding or wearing the item, which gives prospective buyers a much more realistic sense of sizing, color, and craftsmanship than studio product shots alone.

Sellers also earn special badges based on their review performance. A shop with consistently high ratings can display a Rave Reviews badge, which signals trustworthiness to new visitors. Reviews feed directly into Etsy’s search ranking algorithm too, meaning shops with more positive feedback tend to appear higher in search results. When you leave a review on Etsy, you are not just sharing an opinion, you are actively shaping which shops succeed on the platform.

How to Leave a Review on Etsy: Step-by-Step

Now let us walk through the actual process of leaving a review. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using a web browser on Etsy.com or the Etsy mobile app, so I have broken out both paths below.

Leaving a Review on Etsy.com (Desktop or Mobile Browser)

1. Sign in to your Etsy account at Etsy.com using your email and password.

2. Click your profile icon at the top right corner and select Your Account from the dropdown menu.

3. Navigate to Purchases and Reviews to see your complete order history.

4. Scroll to the item you want to review and click the Review This Item button next to it.

5. Select your star rating from one to five stars, type your written feedback, and optionally upload up to five photos.

6. Click Post Your Review to publish it to the shop’s review section.

Once posted, your review appears publicly on the seller’s shop page and on the individual product listing. Other buyers can see your star rating, read your comments, and view any photos you uploaded. The seller has the option to write a public response, which appears directly beneath your review.

Leaving a Review on the Etsy Mobile App (iOS and Android)

1. Open the Etsy app and sign in if you are not already logged in.

2. Tap the You tab at the bottom navigation bar.

3. Tap Purchases and Reviews to open your order history.

4. Find the item you want to review and tap Review This Item.

5. Choose your star rating, add written feedback and optional photos, then tap Submit.

The mobile app process is nearly identical to the desktop experience. One thing to keep in mind is that the Etsy app occasionally has bugs where the review option does not appear even when you are eligible. If that happens, try closing and reopening the app, or switch to a desktop browser to complete your review. Reddit users in the r/Etsy community frequently report this glitch, so you are not alone if you encounter it.

You can also leave a review directly from an email prompt. Etsy sends review reminder emails after your estimated delivery date, and clicking the link in that email takes you straight to the review form. This is often the fastest path if you do not want to navigate through menus.

Review Requirements and Eligibility

Not every purchase is eligible for a review, and not every person can leave one. Etsy has specific rules designed to keep the review system authentic and trustworthy. Understanding these requirements ahead of time saves frustration when the review button is nowhere to be found.

You Must Be a Verified Purchaser

Etsy only allows verified purchasers to leave reviews. This means you must have actually bought the item through the Etsy platform from that specific shop. You cannot review an item you saw on social media, received as a gift from a friend, or purchased elsewhere. This restriction is one of the features that makes Etsy reviews more trustworthy than reviews on platforms where anyone can post feedback regardless of purchase history.

The 100-Day Review Window

Once your order becomes eligible, you have exactly 100 days to leave a review. The clock starts ticking from your order’s estimated delivery date, not the purchase date or the actual delivery date. This distinction catches many buyers off guard. If your item arrived later than the estimated delivery date, your review window may have already been partially consumed before you even received the package.

After the 100-day window closes, the option to leave a review disappears permanently. There is no extension, no appeal process, and no way to retroactively add feedback. Etsy displays a countdown message on the Purchases and Reviews page showing how many days you have left, so keep an eye on that if reviewing matters to you.

Open Cases Block Reviews

If you have opened a case with Etsy regarding an order (for example, an item not received dispute or a significantly not as described claim), you cannot leave a review for that order while the case is open. This policy prevents buyers from using the threat of a negative review as leverage during a dispute. Once the case is resolved and closed, review eligibility may or may not be restored depending on the outcome.

Payment Must Be Fully Processed

Reviews are only available after your payment has been fully processed and confirmed. If there is a payment delay, a pending PayPal transaction, or a hold on your credit card, the review option will not appear until the payment clears completely. This is relatively rare, but it is worth checking if you cannot find the review button on a very recent purchase.

Digital Items Have Special Timing

For digital downloads, the review window begins from the moment the files become available for download rather than from a shipping or delivery date. Since digital items are available instantly after purchase, your review window effectively starts immediately. This means the 100-day clock may expire sooner than you expect for digital goods.

Guest Checkout Buyers

If you completed a purchase as a guest without creating an Etsy account, you can still leave a review, but the process requires an extra step. Etsy will send you a review reminder email after delivery. Clicking the link in that email lets you post a review, but you may need to create an account or claim the purchase under an existing account first. Guest purchases are not automatically tied to an account, which is why the review option does not appear in a Purchases and Reviews page for guest buyers.

To claim a guest purchase, use the same email address for your Etsy account that you used during checkout. Etsy will automatically link past guest orders to your new account, making them appear on your Purchases and Reviews page where you can then review them normally.

How to Edit or Modify a Review on Etsy

Sometimes your opinion changes after living with a product for a while. Maybe that handmade wallet softened up beautifully after a week of use, or perhaps that custom print started fading faster than expected. Etsy allows you to edit your review within the 100-day window, which is a helpful feature that not every marketplace offers.

1. Go to Purchases and Reviews in your account.

2. Find the order with the review you want to change.

3. Click or tap Edit Review next to your existing review.

4. Update your star rating, written comments, or photos as needed.

5. Click Post Your Review (web) or Submit (app) to save changes.

You can edit your review as many times as you want within the 100-day period. Each edit replaces the previous version, so there is no history of changes visible to the public. However, there is one critical limitation many buyers do not know about.

The Seller Response Lock

Once a seller posts a public response to your review, your review becomes locked and can no longer be edited. This is Etsy’s way of preventing an endless back-and-forth between buyers and sellers in the review section. If you think you might want to change your review later, do it before the seller has a chance to respond, because after that the review is permanent.

This policy is not clearly communicated during the review process, and many buyers discover it only when they try to edit and find the option grayed out. If you are on the fence about your rating, consider waiting a day or two before posting so you have time to adjust it freely.

How to Delete a Review on Etsy

This is one of the most searched questions related to Etsy reviews, and the answer is straightforward: buyers cannot delete reviews on Etsy. Once you post a review, it stays on the shop’s page for the duration of the 100-day window. The only modification available is editing, as described above.

If you absolutely need a review removed, your options are limited. You can report the review to Etsy if it violates the platform’s buyer policy (for example, if it contains prohibited content), but Etsy will not remove a review simply because you changed your mind. The review system is designed to be a permanent record within its eligibility window.

For sellers wondering about removing negative reviews, the same rule applies. Sellers cannot delete buyer reviews. They can only respond publicly to provide their side of the story. Etsy may remove a review if it is proven to be false, malicious, or in violation of policies, but this requires a formal report and review by Etsy’s trust and safety team.

Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Leave a Review on Etsy?

This is the single most common frustration buyers have with Etsy reviews. You received your item, you want to share your thoughts, and the review button is nowhere to be found. Here are the most likely causes and how to address each one.

The 100-Day Window Has Expired

Check your Purchases and Reviews page for a message about the review deadline. If more than 100 days have passed since your estimated delivery date, the review option is gone for good. Unfortunately, there is no workaround for this. Setting a calendar reminder when you receive your order is the best prevention.

You Purchased as a Guest

Guest checkout purchases do not appear on a standard Purchases and Reviews page. Look for the review reminder email Etsy sent to the address you used at checkout. That email contains a direct link to the review form. If you cannot find the email, check your spam folder or create an Etsy account using the same email to link the purchase.

You Have an Open Case

If you opened a case with Etsy for this order, the review option is disabled until the case closes. This applies to both item-not-received and not-as-described cases. Check your case status in the Help Center or your account’s Cases section. If you had an issue with your order and need a refund rather than leaving a positive review, check out our guide on how to request a refund on Etsy.

The Etsy App Is Glitching

The Etsy mobile app has a known bug where the review option disappears even when you are fully eligible. This is widely reported on Reddit’s r/Etsy community. The fix is simple: switch to a desktop browser and complete the review there. Alternatively, force-close the app, clear your cache, and reopen it. Updating to the latest version of the app can also resolve persistent glitches.

Your Payment Has Not Fully Processed

In rare cases, a payment hold or processing delay prevents the review option from appearing. Check your order status to confirm it shows as complete and paid. If the order is still pending, wait for payment to clear and the review button should appear within 24 hours.

The Order Was Canceled

Canceled orders are not eligible for reviews. If a seller canceled your order (or you canceled it yourself), the review option will not appear regardless of timing. This makes sense since no transaction was completed.

Best Practices for Writing Helpful Reviews on Etsy

Anyone can tap five stars and move on, but a genuinely helpful review takes just a little more effort. Since Etsy is a marketplace of handmade and unique goods, your detailed feedback carries more weight than it would on a site selling mass-produced items. Here is how to write reviews that actually help both sellers and future buyers.

Be Specific and Factual

Vague reviews like “love it” or “great product” do not give other buyers much to go on. Instead, mention concrete details. Talk about the actual size compared to what you expected, the quality of materials, how well it was packaged, and whether it matched the listing photos. If sizing ran small or the color was slightly different from the image, say so. Factual observations are more useful than emotional reactions alone.

Add Photos When Possible

Etsy allows up to five photos per review, and buyers consistently say that review photos are one of the most trusted elements of the platform. A photo of the item in real life, outside the studio lighting of the product listing, tells the true story. Good lighting and a clear angle make a big difference. Review photos are particularly valuable for clothing, jewelry, and home decor where scale and color accuracy matter.

Message the Seller Privately for Issues

If you had a problem with your order, consider messaging the seller directly before leaving a negative review. Most Etsy sellers are small business owners who genuinely want to make things right. A quick direct message about a damaged item or a missing piece often results in a replacement or refund. Save public negative reviews for situations where the seller was unresponsive or unhelpful after being contacted privately.

Keep It Honest and Fair

Etsy’s review policies prohibit false or misleading content, incentivized reviews, and reviews that violate the communication policy. Do not exaggerate problems, and do not post five-star reviews in exchange for discounts or freebies. Honest, balanced feedback helps maintain the integrity of the review system. If you had a mixed experience, a three or four-star review with specific notes is more credible than an automatic five stars. Review best practices apply across marketplaces, and you can learn more from our coverage of Amazon reviews best practices.

Review Promptly

Reviews are most helpful when they are fresh. Try to leave feedback within a week or two of receiving your item while the experience is still top of mind. Waiting too long risks hitting the 100-day deadline and losing the chance entirely. Sellers also appreciate timely reviews because they provide useful feedback while there is still an opportunity to make improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Knowing how to leave a review on Etsy is a small action that has an outsized impact. For the independent sellers who make the platform special, your feedback directly influences their shop’s visibility, reputation, and growth. For fellow shoppers, your honest review, especially one with photos, provides the kind of real-world insight that studio product photos simply cannot match.

Remember the key points: sign in, find your purchase, rate with stars, add details and photos, then post within the 100-day window. Edit freely before the seller responds, because after that the review is locked. And if the review option is missing, check the eligibility requirements, your case status, and try a different device to rule out app glitches. For more Etsy guides, including how to request a refund on Etsy, explore our other helpful tutorials. Take two minutes to share your experience and help the Etsy community thrive in 2026.