TL;DR
Use one of the five templates below depending on which policy your review violates. Each cites the specific Etsy policy clause Etsy's reviewers expect to see. Replace the bracketed placeholders, paste into the report form, attach screenshots, submit.
When templates work and when they don't
Etsy removes a review only if it fits one of five specific policies (covered in how to remove a negative Etsy review). The right template helps because it shows Etsy's reviewer that you understand the policy and have evidence ready. Wrong template wastes a report.
Before pasting, run the triage flowchart to identify which policy applies. Then pick the matching template.
Template 1: Extortion (highest success rate)
Use when the buyer threatened a negative review (or threatened to keep one) unless you provided a refund, free items, or other concessions.
Subject: Extortion report — Order #[ORDER NUMBER]
This review violates Etsy's extortion policy
(https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/extortion/239966959186), which prohibits
buyers from "threatening to leave a negative review or to report you to Etsy
unless you provide a refund, free items, or other concessions."
On [DATE], buyer [BUYER NAME / FIRST NAME] sent the following message in our
Convo for Order #[ORDER NUMBER]:
"[EXACT QUOTE OF THE THREAT — copy verbatim from the Convo]"
Screenshots of the full conversation are attached.
After I [declined / offered a partial refund / explained the policy], the
buyer left this review on [REVIEW DATE]:
"[QUOTE THE REVIEW TEXT]"
The threat in the Convo and the subsequent review confirm extortion under the
policy. I am requesting removal of the review.
Thank you,
[YOUR SHOP NAME]
Template 2: Off-topic content (politics, profanity, attacks)
Use when the review contains content unrelated to the product or service: politics, religious commentary, profanity, hate speech, personal attacks on you.
Subject: Off-topic review — Order #[ORDER NUMBER]
This review contains content that violates Etsy's marketplace integrity
guidelines, which require reviews to be about the product or transaction.
The review for Order #[ORDER NUMBER] contains the following off-topic content:
"[QUOTE EXACTLY — preserve original wording]"
The quoted text is [profanity / political commentary / a personal attack /
hate speech / unrelated to the product] and does not relate to the item, the
shipping experience, or the customer-service interaction.
Per Etsy Help (https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015808588), reviews
"must be relevant to the item or transaction." I am requesting removal.
Thank you,
[YOUR SHOP NAME]
Template 3: False content (provably untrue claims)
Use when the review states something demonstrably false that you can prove with evidence (tracking, photos, Convo history).
Subject: False content in review — Order #[ORDER NUMBER]
This review for Order #[ORDER NUMBER] contains a factually false claim that I
can disprove with attached evidence.
The review states: "[EXACT QUOTE]"
This is false because [SPECIFIC EVIDENCE]. For example:
- Tracking [TRACKING NUMBER] shows delivery on [DATE], contradicting the
claim that the item was never received.
- The Convo from [DATE] shows I responded within [X] hours, contradicting
the claim that I never replied.
- Photos taken before shipping (attached) show the item was [DESCRIPTION],
contradicting the claim that it was [BUYER'S CLAIM].
Etsy's review guidelines state that reviews must be honest. I am requesting
removal of this factually inaccurate review.
Thank you,
[YOUR SHOP NAME]
Template 4: Retaliatory review (after a lost dispute)
Use when the buyer left a 1-star review immediately after Etsy ruled against them in a refund or buyer-protection case.
Subject: Retaliatory review — Order #[ORDER NUMBER], Case #[CASE ID]
This review appears to be retaliatory following a buyer-protection case the
buyer filed and Etsy resolved.
Order #[ORDER NUMBER] was the subject of Case #[CASE ID], opened on [DATE]
and closed on [DATE]. Etsy's resolution was [BRIEF SUMMARY: refund
approved/denied/partial].
On [REVIEW DATE — note proximity to case closure], the buyer left this
1-star review:
"[QUOTE THE REVIEW]"
The timing and content suggest the review is in response to the case
outcome rather than a genuine reflection of the product or transaction.
This pattern is covered by Etsy's retaliatory review considerations.
I am requesting review under the retaliatory review policy.
Thank you,
[YOUR SHOP NAME]
Template 5: Fake or pattern-based review
Use when the review appears automated, generic across many shops, or otherwise non-genuine.
Subject: Suspected fake review — Order #[ORDER NUMBER]
This review for Order #[ORDER NUMBER] appears to be non-genuine. Indicators:
- The review text is generic and could apply to any product: "[QUOTE]"
- The reviewer's account [shows X / has Y pattern].
- Multiple Etsy shops have received [identical / near-identical] 1-star
reviews from this buyer in [DATE RANGE]; examples available on request.
- [Any other patterns: time of posting, account creation date, etc.]
Etsy's marketplace integrity policy prohibits manipulation of reviews. I am
requesting investigation and removal if non-genuine.
Thank you,
[YOUR SHOP NAME]
Where to submit each template
From your shop dashboard:
- Navigate to the review.
- Click the flag icon next to the review.
- Select the matching reason (extortion, off-topic, false content, etc.).
- Paste the template into the description field.
- Attach screenshots of all referenced evidence.
- Submit.
Etsy typically responds within 7 to 14 days. If 14 days pass with no response, you can submit a follow-up via the Help center.
What NOT to do
- Don't combine multiple templates in one report. Pick the strongest match and submit only that one.
- Don't send the buyer a copy of the report. Keep your removal effort separate from buyer communication.
- Don't paraphrase Etsy's policy language; quote it verbatim. Reviewers respond to exact text.
- Don't fabricate screenshots or evidence. Etsy detects and suspends.
Related concepts
- How to remove a negative Etsy review covers the triage flowchart and which policy fits which case
- Etsy review extortion: spotting and reporting goes deeper on extortion language patterns
- Etsy's review policies, translated summarizes the four review policies side by side
Sources
- Etsy Help: What to do if you receive a negative review (accessed May 5, 2026)
- Etsy Legal: Extortion policy (accessed May 5, 2026)
- Gold Shield original research, 2025–2026
Notes for human review: Templates use a generic structure. Exact policy URLs may shift; verify links before publishing.