Does the “bestseller” badge on Etsy actually mean anything?

Etsy is a marketplace built on trust signals. From reviews to star ratings, every marker of credibility influences a buyer’s decision. But among all these trust signals, one small orange label stands out: the bestseller badge.

It’s eye-catching, persuasive, and suggests that the product is flying off the shelves. But how does Etsy decide which products get this badge? And more importantly, does it actually mean anything for buyers and sellers?

Let’s break it down, uncovering every detail sellers might overlook.

What is Etsy’s “bestseller” badge?

When you scroll through Etsy’s search results, you may notice some listings have a “bestseller” tag. If you hover over it, Etsy provides a brief explanation: “This item has had a high sales volume over the past 6 months.” (source – https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343908?segment=selling)

That’s it. No numbers. No specifics. Just “high sales volume.”

This vague definition raises a lot of questions:

• How many sales qualify as “high sales volume”? Is it the same for all categories?
• Is it based on absolute numbers or a ranking system? (Does a product need to sell X units, or does it just need to be among the best-selling in its category?)
• How often is it updated? If a product’s sales dip, how quickly does the badge disappear?
• Does it influence Etsy search rankings?

Since Etsy doesn’t provide clear answers, sellers are left to analyze patterns and share their own experiences.

How do listings get the bestseller badge?

While Etsy doesn’t publicly disclose its exact criteria, experienced sellers have observed a few key patterns.

1. Sales volume over 6 months

The only official Etsy statement on this badge is that it’s based on “high sales volume over the past 6 months.” (source – https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343908?segment=selling) This suggests that Etsy looks at a rolling 6-month window rather than lifetime sales.

If a product has a sudden surge in sales but doesn’t maintain momentum, it may still get the badge temporarily, but it won’t last. Sellers report that items can gain and lose the badge within weeks, depending on how competitive their niche is. (source – https://www.reddit.com/r/EtsySellers/)

2. Sales threshold likely varies by category

A listing in a highly competitive category (like jewelry or digital downloads) likely needs more sales to qualify for the badge than a listing in a niche category (like antique furniture).

Some sellers believe that the threshold is relative, meaning a product doesn’t need to hit a fixed number of sales, just more sales than most others in its category. (source – Etsy sellers)

3. The badge can disappear quickly

Many sellers notice that as soon as their sales slow down, the badge disappears. This suggests that Etsy is constantly re-evaluating which products qualify, rather than assigning badges permanently. (source – https://www.growingyourcraft.com/blog/what-is-etsy-bestseller-badge)

This is why you’ll sometimes see seasonal items get a bestseller badge during a peak sales period (like Christmas ornaments in December) only to lose it a few months later when demand drops. (source – https://www.growingyourcraft.com/blog/what-is-etsy-bestseller-badge)

Does the bestseller badge help increase sales?

1. It acts as social proof

When buyers see the bestseller badge, they assume the product is:

• Popular
• Trusted by other buyers
• More likely to be a good purchase

This “herd mentality” often influences shopping behavior, making customers more likely to choose a bestseller over a product without the badge. (source – https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/social-proof/)

2. It might boost Etsy SEO (but not always)

Etsy’s algorithm favors listings that sell well and convert efficiently. Because bestsellers, by definition, are high-converting products, they often rank higher in search results. However, the badge itself isn’t a direct ranking factor, it’s the sales volume that drives visibility. (source – https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/how-etsy-search-works/227483899798)

That said, sellers have reported that getting the badge can sometimes create a snowball effect—more sales lead to more visibility, which leads to even more sales. (source – Etsy sellers)

3. But it doesn’t guarantee quality or long-term success

Just because an item has the badge doesn’t mean it’s the best option for a buyer. It only means it has sold well recently. Some sellers focus on short-term sales spikes to get the badge, but that doesn’t mean their product is better than a non-bestseller. (source – https://www.growingyourcraft.com/blog/what-is-etsy-bestseller-badge)

Also, some products may lose the badge simply because demand fluctuates—not because the product itself got worse. (source – Etsy sellers)

Common misconceptions about the bestseller badge

1. “Once you get it, you always have it” ❌

Not true. If sales drop, the badge disappears. (source – https://www.growingyourcraft.com/blog/what-is-etsy-bestseller-badge)

2. “You need thousands of sales to get it” ❌

It depends on your category. Some products get the badge with a few hundred sales, while others need thousands. (source – https://www.reddit.com/r/EtsySellers/)

3. “It means Etsy favors your shop” ❌

Etsy doesn’t manually assign bestseller badges. It’s an automated system based on sales performance. (source – https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/how-etsy-search-works/227483899798)

4. “It’s the only way to succeed on Etsy” ❌

Plenty of successful Etsy shops don’t have bestseller badges on their products. Other factors—like branding, pricing, and marketing matter just as much. (source – https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook)

Final verdict: Does the bestseller badge matter?

The bestseller badge can boost visibility and sales, but it’s not a magic formula for Etsy success. It’s a reflection of recent sales performance, not necessarily quality or long-term success.

Sellers should aim for strong sales and a great customer experience rather than obsessing over getting (or keeping) the badge. And buyers should use the badge as one of many factors alongside reviews, product descriptions, and seller reputation when making a purchase.

At the end of the day, a truly great product with strong branding and marketing will sell well, badge or not.

What do you think? Have you ever had a bestseller badge on your Etsy listings? Did it impact your sales? Let’s discuss in the comments!