A while ago, Etsy announced a tool named Etsy Gift Mode ( also known as Etsy Gift Finder). It is an AI-powered feature on the Etsy platform that helps users find the perfect gifts for various occasions and recipients.
Etsy Gift Mode acts as a shopping companion for people who want to purchase gifts. It starts with a quiz where you answer questions about the recipient, like who they are, what occasion it is, etc. Then, it will suggest suitable gifts for givers.
Initially, most people will only consider that it is built for buyers, but the fact is more than that. Etsy Gift Mode is a valuable market research tool for Etsy sellers to understand customer demand, highly related sub-niches, product opportunities, and more.
In this article, we take a close look at all aspects of Etsy Seller Gift Mode. From there, you can take full advantage of the power of this feature to improve your store’s revenue.
Here is what we will go through:
- Key takeaways about Etsy Gift Mode (Release time, key features, purposes, availability)
- List of about 200 Etsy Gift Mode receiver personas
- 7 tips to optimize Etsy store for Gift Mode (Improve listing tags, simplify listing titles, renew listing descriptions, maximize visuals, etc.)
- 3 common issues when using Etsy Gifting Mode (inappropriate suggestions, systemic IP infringement, promoting non-handmade gifts)
Etsy Gift Mode: Key Takeaways
To give you the simplest and most general overview of Etsy Gift Mode, we have summarized some important points about it, such as:
- Release time: Etsy Gift Mode was launched by Etsy on February 11, 2024.
- Availability:
- Gift Mode is currently available in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia
- Etsy Gift Mode is available on both the Etsy app and website, allowing users to access it from various device
- Purpose: Etsy Gift Finder was developed based on the insight that many people get confused when shopping for gifts. Etsy Gift Mode makes the gift-giving experience smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free for gift-givers.
- Key features:
- AI-powered recommendations: Etsy Gift Mode Etsy Gift Mode uses quizzes to obtain information from buyers. The questions may include “Who are you shopping for?”, “what’s the occasion?” etc. Based on your answers, personalized gift guides showcasing relevant products are suggested. Such suggestions come from leveraging a combination of machine learning, human curation, and OpenAIโs GPT-4.
- Gift teaser option: Etsy Gift Mode lets customer send a gift preview email to receivers if their Etsy gift arrives late. Users can also include a gift note and tracking information.
- About 200 receiver personas: Etsy Gift Finder generates around 200 personas inspired by the user’s choices, providing a wide range of gift options from the millions of items available on the platform.
Etsy Gift Mode Personas Overview
In a nutshell, personas act like profiles that consider the recipient’s interests and hobbies. In this section, we will break down Etsy Gift Mode personas by exploring:
- How Etsy creates personas
- List of 200 Etsy gift mode personas
How does Etsy create personas?
As mentioned above, Etsy has already collected nearly 200 personas. When receiving any input, Etsy will then use machine learning to sort the intended gift into one of these pre-made personas based on answers to those questions.
Etsy Gift Mode prompts the gift giver to answer a few questions about the gift recipient. First, Etsy asks who the gift is for, with more than 20 possible responses, including husband, wife, mother, and grandparent. Then, the giver selects the gifting occasion and can choose from several categories the recipient is interested in.
Then it surfaces gift recommendations for that person. For example, Gift Mode suggests matching pajamas or custom pet portraits for someone with the โPet Parentโ persona.
List of 200 Etsy gift mode personas
The Etsy Gift Mode personas are divided into 16 categories, as shown in the table below:
User Based | Food & Drinks | Music | Sports | Outdoor & Adventure |
Son | Foodie | Festival Goer | Sports Fan | Fisherman |
Daughter | Sweet Tooth | Concertgoer | Snowboarder | Hiker |
Sister | Whisky Fan | Opera Obsessed | Cyclist | Beach bum |
Brother | Vegetarian | Disco Fan | Fitness Fanatic | Bird watcher |
Husband | Chef | Guitarist | Runner | Entertainment & Hobbies |
Wife | Grill Chef | Country Music fan | Tennis Fan | Reality TV fan Supernaturalist Cosplayer |
Dad | Baker | Classic rocker | Hockey Fan | Anime Fan |
Mum | Retro Diner Lover Pasta Lover Noodle Obsessed | Musician | Basketball Fan | Theatre Kid |
Grandson | Beer Expert | Music Lover | American Football Fan | Horror Fan |
Granddaughter | Tea Drinker | Pop fan | Football Fan | Alien Obsessed |
Grandfather | Breakfast Lover | Jazz Fan | Golfer | History buff |
Grandmother | Wine Enthusiast | Singer | Swimmer | Trinket Collector |
Whole Family | Chocoholic | Reggae Fan | Skier | Science Buff |
Bride | Mixologist | Hip Hop lover | Baseball Fan | Renaissance Faire Fan |
Groom | Coffee Connoisseur | Karaoke Crooner | Rock climber | Astrology Expert |
Bridesmaids | Sushi Lover | K-Pop Stan | Pickleball Player | Rock collector |
Best Men | Sandwich specialist | Broadway Lover | Skateboarder | Film buff |
Newlywed | Pizza lover | Bluegrass Lover | Surfer | Crystal collector |
Teenager | Cheese lover | Drummer | Pets | ๏ปฟSelf-Care |
Teacher | Locations | Influencer | Cat Lover | Zen seeker |
New Baby Friend | LA Local | Gadget Obsessed | Dog Lover | Self Care Enthusiast |
Boyfriend Girlfriend Neighbour | New Yorker | Styles | Pet parent | Wellness Enthusiast |
Kid | Italy Lover | Kawaii Cutie | Kid & Teenager | Cottagecore Lover |
College Student | Japanophile | Prepster Maximalist Minimalist | Future Sports Star | Candle Collector |
Co-Worker | Safari Adventurer | Boho Beauty | Future Scientist | Art & Design |
Pet | San Franciscan | Punk | Future veterinarian | Art Admirer |
Graduate | Francophile | Coastal Grandma | Unicorn Obsessed | Knitter |
New Parent | Londoner | Flower Child | Creative Kid | Quilter Ceramicist |
Expecting Mum | Chicago Local | Scandinavian Style Lover | Spacer Explorer | Pottery Collector |
Retiree | Parisian | Goth | Princess | Painter |
Hopeless Romantic | Steampunk | Toddler | Crafter | |
Dancer | Wabi Sabi Decorator | Young bookworm | ||
Environmental Advocate | Vintage Hunter | |||
Sailor | Star Signs | Home | Games | Fashion |
Nature Lover | Aries | Gardener | Board Game Champ | Glam fan |
Host | Scorpio | Interior Designer | Outdoor Gamer | Fashionista |
Beauty Guru | Leo | New Homeowner | Tabletop Gamer | Fashionable fella |
Cowgirl | Gemini | Homebird | Puzzle Prodigy | Jewellery lover |
Friend on-the-mend | Pisces | Plant Parent | Video Gamer | |
90s Kid | Virgo | |||
Bookworm | Capricorn | |||
Yogi | Sagittarius | |||
Globetrotter | Libra | |||
Woodworker | Taurus | |||
Mathematician | Aquarius | |||
Newly Bereaved | Cancer |
We note that the platform plans to add new interests and personas over time in response to emerging Etsy search trends as well as new Etsy business ideas.
How to Optimize Your Etsy Store for Gift Mode?
Optimizing your product listing is important for your items to appear on Etsy Gift Mode for sellers. To ensure delighted customers who gift your products, you need to optimize product quality, packaging, and the shipping process.
To help you do all of this, we recommend a list of 8 actionable strategies to help you optimize every aspect of your store for the Etsy Gift Mode commercial. These strategies include:
1. Improve your listing tags
2. Simplify your listing titles for clarity
3. Maximizing your listing’s visual impact
4. Establish clear return policies for each listing
5. Personalize your packaging
6 . Apply a quick delivery processing
7. Utilize an all-in-one Etsy listing tool
Here’s a breakdown of 8 key strategies to elevate your Etsy Gift Mode and attract gift-givers:
1. Improve your listing tags
Tags are the secret ingredient that makes your items searchable on Etsy. A prospective buyer who is searching for a gift will often include related keywords to the giftโs purpose, who itโs intended for, and the kind of present in mind. Here’s how to optimize your tags for Etsy Gift Mode:
- Think like a gift-giver: Rather than just looking at product features, you should take into account the concerns and feelings of the person who is going to receive the gift as a present. What issues are they addressing? What will make the recipient happy? Answering these questions may help you find the right keywords for your tags
- Utilize long-tail keywords: You need to go for specifics, don’t limit yourself to the generics like presents alone. For example, if your item is a scarf, you can modify your tags from “scarf” only to “cozy knit scarf” and “luxury silk scarf”
- Research seasonal trends: During holidays like Christmas or Teacher’s Day, it is a great idea to incorporate popular gifting terms like “Secret Santa gift” or “teacher appreciation gift.”
2. Simplify your listing titles for clarity
A clear and concise title is crucial for capturing a potential buyer’s attention in search results. Here’s how to make your titles shine in Etsy Gift Mode:
- Start with the main benefit or recipient: People are often short on time when searching for gifts. Lead with the most enticing aspect of your product and who it’s perfect for. For example, “Handmade Leather Journal – Personalized Gift for Dad” or “Delicate Pearl Earrings – Bridesmaid Gift Set.”
- Keep it concise: It would be better to aim for titles under 60 characters to ensure they appear fully in search results.
- Maintain consistency: Use a synchronous format for your titles to make your shop browsing experience smooth.
3. Maximizing your listing’s visual impact
High-quality visuals are essential for any listing, and even more so for Etsy Gift Mode. So how to make your products visually irresistible to gift-givers? You can apply some of the following ways:
- Start with a “gift-worthy” image: This could be a beautifully styled product shot with festive touches or a close-up highlighting intricate details.
- Showcase multiple photos from different angles: Multiple photos are very important. They help the givers fully examine the product before deciding whether to choose it as a gift or not.
- Include lifestyle photos featuring the product in use: This way you can show how your product can enhance someone’s life or a special occasion.
- Use short video clips to showcase functionality or craftsmanship: This can be particularly effective for demonstrating how a personalized item is created.
- Clear and consistent backgrounds: For a professional and cohesive look, it is important to maintain a consistent background style across your listings.
4. Establish clear return policies for each listing
A generous and transparent return policy is a must-have for any shop, but especially for Etsy Gift Mode. Here’s why a clear return policy is essential:
- Reduces buyer hesitation: Knowing they can easily return an unwanted gift gives peace of mind to the buyer and encourages them to choose your shop.
- Sets clear expectations: A well-defined return policy outlines the timeframe, conditions, and process for returns. This reduces confusion and protects both you and the buyer.
- Builds trust and customer satisfaction: A customer-friendly return policy demonstrates your commitment to providing a positive shopping experience.
Some great ideas to establish clear return policies for each listing on Etsy Gifting Mode include:
- Clearly State the return window: In your listing description, explicitly mention the return window. For example, “We accept returns within 30 days of purchase.”
- Specify acceptable return conditions: You need to state these conditions in your listing description clearly. For example, “We accept returns for unworn and unwashed items with tags attached.”
- Clearly state shipping costs: In your listing description and shop policies, clearly specify who pays for return shipping. For example, “We offer free returns for damaged or incorrect items. For other return reasons, buyers are responsible for return shipping costs.”
- Provide return instructions: Outline the steps buyers should take to initiate a return. This could involve contacting you directly or utilizing Etsy’s return request system.
5. Personalize your packaging
The unboxing experience is a crucial part of gifting. Here’s how to elevate your packaging and delight your customers in Etsy Gift Mode:
- Presentation is key: Because this is a gift, you need to invest in beautiful and eco-friendly packaging materials like tissue paper, twine, or decorative boxes.
- Seasonal twists: You can consider seasonal offerings or occasion-specific packaging options. For example, wrapping paper for holidays or pastel colors for spring gifts.
- Branding touches: It is a great idea to incorporate subtle branding elements like stickers, tags, or personalized messages on your packaging. This adds a professional touch and increases brand recognition.
- Handwritten notes: A handwritten thank-you note or personalized message adds a special touch and shows appreciation to the buyer, potentially encouraging repeat business.
6. Apply a quick delivery process
Fast and reliable delivery is essential for gift-givers, especially for those with looming deadlines. Some tips to optimize your delivery process for Etsy Gift Mode include:
- Accurate processing times: Your shop settings should reflect realistic processing times, which reflect the time it takes to prepare and package an order before shipping.
- Consider expedited shipping: It is important to offer expedited shipping options at an additional cost for buyers who need their gifts to arrive quickly.
- Transparency is key: You can keep buyers informed throughout the shipping process with clear tracking information and updates.
- Partner with reliable carriers: Choose reputable shipping providers known for their speed and efficiency such as USPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.
- Consider offering local pickup: If you operate locally, allowing for in-person pickup can be a convenient option for last-minute gift purchases.
7. Utilize an all-in-one Etsy listing tools
Several online tools can help you manage your Etsy listings and optimize your shop for Gift Mode more efficiently. These tools can benefit you through bulk listing editing, keyword research integration, inventory management, automated listing renewals, and more.
There are many tools on the market to help you complete each of these tasks. But do you expect one tool to cover all of them? If so, try the LitCommerce Etsy listing tool for a seamless listing upload process.
LitCommerce’s Etsy listing tool offers 4 main features for your business:
- Effortless listing: You can import listings from other stores or create new ones, then publish them to Etsy with a few clicks. This is great for multi-channel sellers.
- Centralized control: You can manage listings, orders, inventory, and customer data from one dashboard, without needing to switch between platforms.
- Real-time updates: You’ll be notified of new sales, orders, and customer messages. You can also track overall store performance at a glance.
- Automatic sync: Ensures inventory and data stay up-to-date across all channels, especially crucial during sales.
Additionally, if you need to connect Etsy with other marketplaces, it is worth exploring our available marketplace integration options.
3 Common Issues When Using Etsy Gift Mode
Although Etsy Gift Mode offers a lot of potential to increase sales for your store, it is important to note that it has many issues. Below are the three most popular issues that sellers often encounter when using Etsy Gift Mode:
- Inappropriate suggestions
- Exposes systemic IP infringement
- Promoting non-handmade gifts
1. Inappropriate suggestions
Actually, Etsy Gifting doesn’t always provide appropriate gift options based on the selected recipients and occasions. In some cases, it strips away the specified details, leaving shoppers with unsuitable suggestions that could potentially create hazardous situations and offend people.
Below is a real case that we discovered:
When we selected the gift guide “Gift for Mom” and chose the accessories items, surprisingly, a dog food bowl was on the list. As customers, it’s hard for us to feel comfortable with this confusion!
Similarly, when we access the gift guide “Gift for kids” and click on the Outdoor Toys section, the suggestions include makeup bags and decorative lights.
Overall, Etsy Gift Mode seems to fall short in delivering personalized and appropriate gift suggestions, raising questions about the readiness of the tool for its launch. This has led to speculation about potential pressures from upper management to release the tool prematurely, possibly for marketing purposes.
2. Exposes systemic IP infringement
Etsy Gift Mode also raises concerns about systemic intellectual property (IP) infringement, particularly in the context of gift recommendations. The platform’s algorithm may inadvertently suggest items that infringe upon existing copyrights, trademarks, or patents, exposing both users and sellers to legal and ethical implications.
For example, when we search for “Kpop fan gifts”, we may encounter items that unlawfully incorporate copyrighted imagery or trademarks associated with the beloved franchise. This not only puts Etsy at risk of legal repercussions but also undermines the rights of original creators and intellectual property holders.
4. Promoting non-handmade gifts
A fundamental pillar of Etsy’s identity is its dedication to handmade and artisanal products, yet Etsy Gifting Mode may unintentionally promote non-handmade gifts. This can have a profound and negative impact on sellers selling handmade items.
For example, when we search for “artisanal candles”, the first items that appear are industrial candle boxes. Despite the presence of artisanal candles, the suggestion page is dominated by factory-made alternatives. This undermines the essence of craftsmanship and artisanal excellence that Etsy champions.
Etsy Gift Mode: FAQs
To mark something as a gift on Etsy, follow these steps during checkout: Yes, there is a gift option on Etsy. Etsy Gifting Mode allows customers to mark an order as a gift, which will result in the gift receipt printing without the price breakdown and may include a message from the buyer.ย Sellers on Etsy have the ability to offer gift wrapping and gift message services to their customers. They can set a price per order for the gift wrapping service and provide specific information about the wrapping paper. Customers can also include a personalized message to the buyer.ย When you mark an order as a gift on Etsy, the price will be hidden. They won’t see it on a packing slip. If a gift message is included, you (the seller) can print it out and send it with the order. But that’s it! It doesn’t affect wrapping or shipping. To gift wrap an order on Etsy Gift Mode, follow these steps:
The Future of Etsy Gift Finder – Final Words
Etsy Gift Mode presents a promising future for sellers by streamlining the gift-giving experience and attracting new buyers. By optimizing listings for occasions and interests, sellers can leverage Gift Mode’s AI to gain greater visibility.
However, competition within curated categories may rise. To stay ahead, sellers should adapt their marketing strategies and product offerings to cater to gift-focused searches. You also capitalize on Etsy’s push to become the go-to platform for unique and thoughtful presents.
Just in case you need more consultancy on building your business on Etsy, feel free to contact us anytime. LitCommere is more than happy to answer all your questions!
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