Etsy
Etsy Terms of Use
Etsy is an online marketplace that connects independent sellers of handmade, vintage, and craft goods with buyers around the world.
Analyzed May 21, 2026
Key findings
Summary
Etsy's terms include a broad, perpetual license over user content, standard e-commerce liability limitations releasing Etsy from claims tied to third-party sellers, and a mandatory arbitration clause with a class action waiver for users in North and South America (with an opt-out window). Overall impact is roughly in line with typical large marketplace platforms, with content licensing and arbitration terms slightly more expansive than average.
Category Breakdown
Etsy collects account, transaction, and usage data as described in its separate Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference but not detailed in this document.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEOur Privacy Policy details how your information is collected, used and shared when you use our Services.View source document
Etsy and sellers are treated as independent data controllers who each process buyer personal information, with sharing governed by a separate Privacy Policy.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEBoth Etsy and sellers process members' personal information (for example, buyer name, email address, and shipping address) and are therefore considered separate and independent data controllers of buyers' personal information under EU law.View source document
Users retain ownership of their content but grant Etsy and authorized third parties a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sublicensable license to use, modify, and promote that content, including in advertising media, with survival beyond account termination.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEyou grant Etsy and, as authorized by Etsy in its sole discretion, third parties, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable, sub-licensable, perpetual license to use, display, edit, modify, reproduce, distribute, store, and prepare derivative works of Your Content.View source document
Etsy may terminate or suspend accounts believed to violate the Terms, generally with notice, and content may be lost upon termination without a guaranteed export window.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEIf you or Etsy terminate your account, you may lose any information associated with your account, including Your Content.View source document
Mandatory individual arbitration with a class-action waiver applies to users in North and South America, but includes a small claims carveout, a 30-day opt-out window, and Etsy covering excess arbitration fees for consumers; a court venue clause governs the rest of the world.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEIf you are a new user of our Services, you can opt out of this Arbitration Agreement (excluding Section 11.I) within 30 days after you first accept the Terms.View source document
The terms reference a separate Fees & Payments Policy for billing, taxes, and fees, with users responsible for paying outstanding bills upon termination; no explicit auto-renewal subscription terms are detailed here.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEYour fees, bills, taxes, and how you can pay them are fully explained in our Fees & Payments Policy.View source document