ReviewProof · Etsy
The FTC's fake-reviews rule bans fake/AI reviews, bought followers, undisclosed influencers, and review suppression.
On Etsy the marketplace controls the listing fields, the review system and a lot of the data flow — but you're still the seller of record. Etsy handles some compliance plumbing; the substance of what you claim, disclose and ship is yours.
📦 On Etsy: Etsy sets marketplace policy, but US rules on your marketing, reviews and disclosures apply to you as the seller — Etsy won't draft them for you. What Etsy handles: Etsy runs its own review system, so don't try to seed or fake reviews — that breaks both Etsy policy and the FTC rule.
This rule applies to Etsy sellers who use reviews, testimonials, influencers, or affiliates. Use reviews, testimonials, influencers or affiliates? Penalties run to ~$53k per violation. Not sure? The free checker tells you in about a minute — no signup.
Whatever the platform handles, you still need to be able to answer "yes" to each of these — these are the points Etsy sellers most often get caught on:
⚠️ Exposure: up to $53,088 per violation (FTC) · Status: Since Oct 2024. On Etsy, that's on top of any account suspension for breaking platform policy.
Compare the penalty for every rule →
Etsy runs its own review system, so don't try to seed or fake reviews — that breaks both Etsy policy and the FTC rule.
Yes — the FTC's rule (16 CFR Part 465, effective Oct 2024) bans fake or AI-written reviews, bought engagement, undisclosed insider reviews, and review suppression, with penalties up to about $53,088 per violation.
Yes — any material connection (payment, free product, or affiliate commission) must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously.
You can't deceptively suppress or threaten over honest negative reviews. Removing genuine criticism to mislead shoppers is prohibited.
RuleGoose checks this against the FTC reviews rule (16 CFR Part 465) + Endorsement Guides. Read it yourself: eCFR — 16 CFR Part 465 →
or get one RuleGoose Score across every rule your Etsy store has to meet.
FTC fake-reviews & endorsements is one of several rules a Etsy store has to meet. See the full Etsy compliance checklist →, or read the platform-neutral FTC fake-reviews & endorsements guide.
Informational only, not legal advice, and not affiliated with the FTC or Etsy. Last reviewed 2026-06-30.