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Proxies for Automating Etsy Shops: How to Manage 10+ Stores Without Getting Blocked

A complete guide to automating Etsy shops through proxies: how to safely manage multiple stores, bulk upload products, and avoid platform bans.

πŸ“…January 24, 2026
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Etsy is strict in combating multi-accounting and automation β€” the platform blocks sellers for using the same IP addresses, bulk uploading products, and suspicious activity. If you manage multiple shops or use automation to upload listings, proxies become a critical tool to protect your business from chain bans.

In this guide, we will discuss which proxies are suitable for Etsy, how to set up safe operations with multiple shops through anti-detect browsers, and what mistakes lead to account blocks.

Why Etsy Blocks Shops: Platform Policy

Etsy actively fights against multi-accounting and automation to protect the platform from spammers and dishonest sellers. Etsy's security system tracks dozens of parameters to identify linked accounts and suspicious activity.

Main triggers for blocking Etsy shops:

  • Same IP address β€” if multiple shops log in from the same IP, Etsy links them and may block all accounts simultaneously (chain ban)
  • Matching browser fingerprint β€” fingerprint includes screen resolution, browser version, installed fonts, WebGL, Canvas, and other parameters
  • Bulk uploading products β€” if you upload dozens of listings in a short time, the system considers this automation
  • Suspicious activity β€” actions that are too fast, identical behavior patterns across different accounts, logging in at unusual times
  • Matching payment data β€” identical credit cards, PayPal accounts, or shipping addresses
  • Repeated product photos β€” using the same images across different shops

What happens when linked accounts are detected:

Chain ban on Etsy: If the platform detects a connection between shops, it blocks all linked accounts simultaneously. Restoring access is nearly impossible β€” Etsy rarely reverses such decisions. Sellers lose all shops, funds in their balances, and access to create new accounts with the same data.

This is why proxies become an essential tool for sellers who manage multiple shops or use automation. Each shop must operate through a separate IP address with a unique browser fingerprint.

Which Proxies are Suitable for Etsy: Comparison of Types

The choice of proxy type depends on your working model with Etsy: whether you manage shops manually or use automation for bulk uploading products. Let's discuss three main types of proxies and their applications for Etsy.

Residential Proxies β€” for Manual Shop Management

Residential proxies use IP addresses of real home users assigned by Internet service providers. For Etsy, this is the safest option, as the platform perceives such connections as ordinary buyers or sellers.

Advantages of residential proxies for Etsy:

  • Minimal risk of blocking β€” Etsy almost never bans residential IPs, as they are indistinguishable from regular users
  • High platform trust β€” you can safely create new shops, pass verification, and work with payments
  • Long-term operation β€” one residential IP can be used for a shop for months without rotation
  • Suitable for all operations β€” uploading products, communicating with customers, changing shop settings

Disadvantages:

  • High cost β€” residential proxies are more expensive than other types, especially with a large number of shops
  • Limited speed β€” suitable for manual work but not for bulk parsing or quickly uploading hundreds of products

When to use: If you manage 3-10 shops manually, upload products through the Etsy interface or an anti-detect browser, residential proxies are the optimal choice.

Mobile Proxies β€” Maximum Protection Against Bans

Mobile proxies use IP addresses from mobile operators (4G/5G). Etsy almost never blocks mobile IPs, as one address can be used by thousands of real users simultaneously.

Advantages of mobile proxies for Etsy:

  • Highest level of trust β€” Etsy cannot block a mobile IP without affecting thousands of real users
  • Protection against chain bans β€” even if suspicious activity is detected, IP blocking is unlikely
  • Suitable for risky operations β€” creating new shops, recovering blocked accounts
  • Dynamic IP change β€” mobile operators periodically change IPs, which additionally protects against tracking

Disadvantages:

  • Highest price among all types of proxies
  • Limited availability β€” high-quality mobile proxies are not available in all countries
  • Unstable speed β€” may fluctuate depending on the operator's network load

When to use: For premium shops with high turnover, where the cost of account blocking exceeds the cost of proxies. Also suitable for creating new shops after previous bans.

Datacenter Proxies β€” for Automation and Parsing

Datacenter proxies are server IP addresses that are not tied to real users. They are fast and cheap, but Etsy easily recognizes them and may block them during suspicious activity.

Advantages of datacenter proxies:

  • Low cost β€” 5-10 times cheaper than residential proxies
  • High speed β€” suitable for bulk uploading products, parsing competitors
  • Stability β€” fixed IP addresses without unexpected disconnections

Disadvantages:

  • High risk of blocking β€” Etsy can recognize server IPs and block the account
  • Not suitable for creating shops and verification
  • Require careful use β€” cannot perform suspicious actions

When to use: Only for auxiliary tasks β€” parsing competitor data, trend analysis, monitoring product positions. Not recommended for managing real shops.

Proxy Type Security Speed Cost Application for Etsy
Residential High Medium High Shop management, product uploading
Mobile Maximum Medium Very High Premium shops, account creation
Datacenter Low High Low Parsing, competitor analysis

Multi-accounting on Etsy: How to Avoid Chain Bans

Managing multiple shops on Etsy requires strict isolation of each account. If the platform detects a connection between shops, it will block all accounts simultaneously β€” this is called a chain ban. Let's discuss how to properly separate shops and avoid detection.

The Rule of "One Shop β€” One Digital Profile"

Each Etsy shop must have a unique combination of parameters so that the platform cannot link accounts:

  • Separate IP address β€” use an individual proxy for each shop, never switch between accounts on the same IP
  • Unique browser fingerprint β€” screen resolution, browser version, installed fonts, WebGL, Canvas must differ
  • Different payment data β€” separate credit cards, PayPal accounts, addresses for each shop
  • Unique product photos β€” do not use the same images across different shops, even if selling similar products
  • Different behavior patterns β€” login times, working speed, sequence of actions must vary

Geographical Binding of Shops

Etsy tracks the geographical location of sellers. If you claim that your shop is located in the USA but log in through an IP from Russia β€” this raises a red flag for the security system.

Geographical binding rules:

  • The proxy must match the country of registration of the shop β€” if the shop is registered in the USA, use American residential proxies
  • Do not change the login country β€” if the shop has always operated through an IP from New York, do not switch to Los Angeles without reason
  • Use city-level proxies β€” for greater credibility, choose proxies from the specific city indicated in the shop settings

Tip: If you sell handmade products shipped from Russia, it’s better to honestly indicate your country in the shop settings and use Russian residential proxies. This is safer than pretending to be an American seller and risking a block due to data discrepancies.

Proxy Rotation: When It's Needed and When It's Dangerous

For Etsy shops, rotating IP addresses is more of a risk than a protection. The platform expects the seller to operate from one permanent location, so frequent IP changes raise suspicions.

When NOT to rotate:

  • For constant work with the shop β€” use the same residential IP for months
  • When uploading products manually β€” a stable IP increases the platform's trust
  • For communicating with customers and processing orders

When rotation is acceptable:

  • For parsing competitor data β€” here you can use rotation to avoid IP blocking
  • When bulk uploading products via API β€” slow rotation (every few hours) reduces the risk of automation detection

Setting Up Anti-detect Browsers for Etsy Shops

Anti-detect browsers allow you to create a unique digital fingerprint for each Etsy shop, isolating accounts from each other. This is an essential tool for multi-accounting β€” without it, Etsy can easily link your shops through the browser fingerprint.

Popular Anti-detect Browsers for Etsy

Let's look at three main solutions that sellers use to manage multiple shops:

Dolphin Anty β€” a popular choice among Russian-speaking sellers. The free plan allows you to create up to 10 profiles, which is sufficient for beginners. The interface is in Russian, easy proxy setup, built-in fingerprint templates for different devices.

AdsPower β€” suitable for large operations with dozens of shops. Supports automation through API, profile synchronization between devices, teamwork. Paid plans start from 10 profiles.

Multilogin β€” a premium solution with maximum fingerprint protection. Used by large sellers with a turnover of $50,000 per month. High price ($100+ per month), but the best protection against detection.

Step-by-step Profile Setup for Etsy Shop

Let's go through the setup using Dolphin Anty as an example β€” the process is similar for other anti-detect browsers:

Step 1: Create a New Profile

  • Open Dolphin Anty and click "Create Profile"
  • Give the profile a name β€” for example, "Etsy Shop USA #1"
  • Select the operating system β€” Windows 10 or macOS is suitable for Etsy (do not use Linux, it's rare for regular sellers)

Step 2: Set Up Proxy

  • In the "Proxy" section, select the type: HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5 (for residential proxies, usually SOCKS5)
  • Enter the proxy details: IP address, port, username, and password
  • Click "Check Proxy" β€” make sure the IP is correctly identified and corresponds to the required country
  • Important: The IP must match the geography of the shop (if the shop is in the USA, the proxy must be American)

Step 3: Set Up Fingerprint

  • Select the device template β€” "Real Fingerprint" for maximum authenticity
  • Set the screen resolution β€” use popular values: 1920x1080, 1366x768, 1440x900
  • Set the User-Agent β€” the browser will automatically select the current version of Chrome or Firefox
  • Configure WebGL and Canvas β€” leave "Real Values" or "Noise" for uniqueness
  • Languages and time zone β€” must match the country of the proxy (for the USA: en-US, time zone America/New_York or America/Los_Angeles)

Step 4: Additional Security Settings

  • Disable WebRTC β€” to prevent leaking the real IP address
  • Enable Do Not Track β€” some sellers believe this enhances privacy
  • Configure Cookies β€” each profile should have separate cookies, do not copy them between shops

Step 5: Check Before Launching

  • Launch the profile and open a fingerprint check site β€” for example, whoer.net or browserleaks.com
  • Ensure that the IP address matches the proxy, there are no WebRTC leaks, and the fingerprint looks natural
  • Check the time zone β€” it should match the geography of the IP

Critical Error: Never copy anti-detect browser profiles for different shops! Even if you change the proxy, the fingerprint will remain identical, and Etsy will link the accounts. Create each profile from scratch with unique settings.

Managing Multiple Profiles: Organizing Work

When you have 5-10 shops, it’s important to organize your work properly to avoid confusion and logging into someone else's account:

  • Naming Profiles β€” use a clear system: "Etsy US Jewelry #1", "Etsy UK Prints #2"
  • Color Tags β€” in Dolphin Anty and AdsPower, you can assign a color to each profile for quick identification
  • Correspondence Table β€” keep an Excel file with data: shop name, proxy IP, email, password, creation date
  • Work Schedule β€” do not log into all shops simultaneously, distribute activity throughout the day

Etsy Automation Tools: Product Uploading and Management

Automating product uploads on Etsy saves dozens of hours but requires caution β€” the platform actively fights against bots. Let's discuss safe automation methods and tools used by sellers.

Bulk Uploading via CSV Files

Etsy officially supports bulk uploading of products via CSV files β€” this is the safest method of automation that does not violate platform rules.

How CSV Upload Works:

  • Prepare a CSV file with product data: title, description, price, quantity, photo, tags
  • Log into the shop management panel through an anti-detect browser with a proxy
  • Go to the "Listings" β†’ "Add a listing" β†’ "Upload CSV" section
  • Upload the file and check the preview
  • Etsy will process the file and automatically create listings

Method Limitations:

  • Maximum of 1000 products per upload
  • You need to manually prepare the CSV file in the correct format
  • Cannot automate price and stock updates

Third-party Services for Etsy Automation

There are specialized platforms for managing Etsy shops that work through the official API and do not violate rules:

Vela β€” a popular service for bulk editing listings. Allows you to change prices, descriptions, and tags for hundreds of products simultaneously. Works through Etsy's official API, so it's safe. Costs from $15/month.

Marmalead β€” a tool for SEO optimization of products on Etsy. Helps select effective tags, analyzes competitors, shows trends. Does not automate uploads but saves time on research. From $19/month.

eRank β€” similar to Marmalead with additional features: tracking product positions, analyzing competitor sales, automatic reports. Free plan with limitations, paid from $5.99/month.

Important: All these services require authorization through the Etsy API, so when connecting, use an anti-detect browser with a proxy to avoid revealing the connection between shops. Connect each shop from a separate browser profile.

Automation via Etsy API: For Advanced Users

Etsy provides an official API for developers that allows you to create, edit, and delete listings programmatically. This is suitable for sellers with technical skills or a budget for a developer.

What Can Be Automated via API:

  • Bulk uploading products from an external database
  • Automatic price and stock updates
  • Synchronization with other platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce)
  • Order processing and sending notifications to customers

How to Use Proxies with Etsy API:

  • Each shop must operate through a separate proxy β€” set up IP rotation at the application level
  • Use residential proxies for API requests β€” server IPs may raise suspicions
  • Limit the request speed β€” do not send more than 2-3 requests per second to avoid hitting the rate limit
  • Add delays between actions β€” mimic human behavior

Safe Automation Limits

Even when using official automation methods, it is important not to exceed reasonable limits to avoid raising Etsy's suspicions:

  • Product Uploading β€” no more than 50-100 listings per day for a new shop, 200-300 for an established one
  • Price Changes β€” do not change prices more than once a day, make bulk changes gradually
  • Updating Descriptions β€” edit no more than 20-30 products per day
  • Working at Night β€” avoid activity between 2-5 AM local time for the shop (this looks suspicious)

Common Mistakes When Working with Proxies on Etsy

Even experienced sellers make mistakes that lead to shop blocks. Let's discuss the most common issues and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using One Proxy for Multiple Shops

This is the most common mistake among beginners β€” buying one residential proxy and working with 3-5 shops sequentially. Etsy easily links accounts by matching IP addresses, even if you do not log into them simultaneously.

Consequences: Chain ban of all shops that used this IP. Recovery is impossible.

Solution: Each shop must have a separate proxy that is never used for other accounts.

Mistake 2: Mismatch Between Proxy Geography and Shop Data

A seller registers a shop in the USA, provides an American address and bank account, but operates through a Russian or Ukrainian proxy. Etsy sees the discrepancy and blocks the account for suspected fraud.

Consequences: Block of the shop with a demand to provide documents confirming the address. If there are no documents β€” permanent ban.

Solution: The proxy must match the country of registration of the shop. If you actually operate from Russia β€” honestly indicate a Russian address and use Russian proxies.

Mistake 3: Frequent IP Address Changes

Some sellers think that rotating proxies increases security and set up IP changes every hour or with each login. For Etsy, this is suspicious β€” an ordinary seller works from home or office with a permanent IP.

Consequences: The account undergoes additional scrutiny and may be blocked for suspicious activity.

Solution: Use the same residential proxy for each shop for months. Change the IP only when absolutely necessary (for example, if the proxy gets blocked).

Mistake 4: Ignoring Browser Fingerprint

A seller buys proxies for each shop but operates through a regular Chrome browser without anti-detect. Etsy sees the same fingerprint across all accounts and links them.

Consequences: Chain ban of all shops, despite different IP addresses.

Solution: Always use an anti-detect browser (Dolphin Anty, AdsPower, Multilogin) with a unique profile for each shop.

Mistake 5: Using Cheap Public Proxies

Beginners try to save money and buy cheap proxies from shared pools that are used by thousands of other users. Etsy already knows these IPs and blocks them automatically.

Consequences: Inability to log into the account, blocking when registering a new shop.

Solution: Use only high-quality residential or mobile proxies from trusted providers. Saving on proxies leads to loss of shops and income.

Mistake 6: Bulk Uploading Products on the First Day

A seller creates a new shop and immediately uploads 500 products via CSV or API. Etsy sees unnatural activity and blocks the account for suspected spamming.

Consequences: Block of the shop with a demand to undergo verification or permanent ban.

Solution: Upload products gradually β€” 10-20 listings on the first day, 30-50 on the second, then increase to 100-200 per day. Mimic the behavior of a real seller.

Checklist for Safe Operations with Etsy Through Proxies

Before starting work with each shop, check these points to minimize the risk of blocking:

Proxy and Browser Setup

  • βœ… Each shop has a separate residential or mobile proxy
  • βœ… The proxy matches the country of registration of the shop
  • βœ… The IP address does not change unnecessarily (the same proxy is used for months)
  • βœ… A unique profile is created in the anti-detect browser for each shop
  • βœ… The browser fingerprint is checked for uniqueness (via whoer.net or browserleaks.com)
  • βœ… WebRTC is disabled to prevent leaking the real IP
  • βœ… The time zone and language of the browser match the geography of the proxy

Shop Data

  • βœ… Unique email for each shop (do not use the same email for multiple accounts)
  • βœ… Different payment data: credit cards, PayPal accounts
  • βœ… Unique addresses for each shop (if working with multiple shops in the same country)
  • βœ… Different product photos (do not copy images between shops)
  • βœ… Unique descriptions and tags for products

Behavior and Activity

  • βœ… Do not log into all shops simultaneously β€” distribute work throughout the day
  • βœ… Upload products gradually (no more than 50-100 in the first days)
  • βœ… Mimic human behavior β€” take breaks, do not perform actions too quickly
  • βœ… Avoid working at night according to the shop's local time (2-5 AM)
  • βœ… Do not change shop settings too often

Automation

  • βœ… Use official methods: CSV uploading, Etsy API, verified services (Vela, eRank)
  • βœ… Limit the speed of API requests (no more than 2-3 per second)
  • βœ… Add random delays between actions
  • βœ… Do not exceed limits: 200-300 products per day for an established shop

Conclusion

Proxies are an essential tool for Etsy sellers who manage multiple shops or use automation. Properly setting up proxies and anti-detect browsers protects against chain bans and allows for safe business scaling on the platform.

Key principles for safe operation: each shop must have a separate IP address, a unique browser fingerprint, and independent data (email, payment details, product photos). The proxy must match the geography of the shop and not change unnecessarily. Automation should be used moderately, mimicking the behavior of a real seller.

For managing Etsy shops, we recommend using residential proxies β€” they provide maximum trust from the platform and minimal risk of blocks. For premium shops with high turnover, mobile proxies are suitable, which are almost impossible to block. Following the security checklist and gradually scaling will help build a stable business on Etsy without the risk of losing accounts.

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