Using VPNs with Etsy Without Getting Flagged

Etsy is a marketplace site where creative business people engage, however, it is important to understand its policies and guidelines especially in relations with using VPNs as it is quite complex. There are multiple sellers who use VPN, but without understanding the limitations that Etsy has set, it could endanger their accounts. This blog will delve into the reasons as to why VPNs are employed on Etsy, the problems that come with it, and how the restrictions set by the platform can be tackled professionally.

People Use VPN On Etsy Due To The Following Reasons:

Purchasing From Unsupported Countries

Etsy is active in many regions, however, it is still not available in every part of the world. Sellers from unsupported regions frequently access and operate their shops using VPN in order to bypass restrictions based on location. Just to provide context, Etsy does offer support to sellers from the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and many more. A complete list of countries supported by Etsy can be found in this section.

Shopping On Public Wifi Networks

Sellers also admit to accessing VPN in order to protect their privacy and sensitive information on their shops. For example, login passwords or sensitive finance details can be leaked by accessing Wi-Fi networks in public places.

How To Continue A Business While Traveling Despite Using VPN

Digital nomads or those who travel often are able to use VPN to connect to the Internet from their location and entice suspicion from Etsy over a suspicious log in activity.

Etsy’s Strong Regulations about the Use of VPNs

Etsy has a system in place that helps it to monitor seller accounts to ascertain compliance with its policies. Etsy does not completely disallow customers from the use of VPNs, but the platform employs sophisticated measures in order to identify possible abuse or fraud.

Red Flags

Etsy has set up red flags, such that if your IP location changes every so often or it is different from your normal activity, then your account may be frozen for further verification. 

Account Links

Etsy is known to cross link accounts, with the most common tools for account linking being associated IPs, device fingerprints among others. Because there’s an association of accounts with IPs, violating any stipulations put forth by Etsy with one account will have repercussions even if the other accounts are not owned by the same person. 

There have been reports from several sellers, registering issues with Etsy owing to VPN usage, here are a few examples: 

Shared VPN Nodes: One seller reported their account being suspended because another shop using the same VPN node violated Etsy’s policies. Despite issuing appeals, their account still remains banned 

Frequent IP Changes: Another seller’s account was flagged after logging into the account over and over again across various countries with the same device 

Using a variety of devices without a strategy: There are sellers that use a VPN on one device, and then another device that doesn’t is used without the sameness of the pattern, this is a risk that could raise suspicions to Etsy

To minimize risks, consider the following tips:

Use a Residential IP VPN

Residential IP VPNs mimic the IP addresses of typical internet service providers (ISPs), making them less likely to be flagged by Etsy. Unlike data center VPNs, residential IPs are assigned to real home networks, providing a more natural browsing footprint.

Stick to One Location

Avoid frequently switching locations. If you use a VPN, always connect to the same server or region to maintain consistency in your account's activity history.

Why You Should Consider an ISP or Residential IP

Residential IPs offer significant advantages over traditional VPNs:

Authenticity: These IPs are harder for platforms to distinguish from regular internet traffic, reducing the likelihood of account flags.

Dedicated Connections: Unlike shared IPs, residential IPs ensure that no one else’s activity can negatively impact your Etsy account.

Consistency: They provide stable and location-specific connections, which Etsy expects from legitimate sellers.

Most VPN providers' VPNs are flagged because they are not residential IPs. You need a specialized  residential IP provider. WideVPN offers WireGuard, but it does not provide residential IPs. If you need professional residential IP services, you can visit okayvpn.com. They offer customized ISP services to access Etsy from unsupported countries without being detected.