How to get 40 free Etsy listings when you open a new shop

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ost platform comes with fees. That is why free listing credits can make a real difference when you are just getting started.

If you are opening your first Etsy shop, you may be able to get free listings by using a seller referral link before you begin the setup process. At the time of writing, Etsy commonly offers 40 free listing credits through this program, although Etsy also notes that the number of credits may vary depending on the current promotion.

This guide explains how Etsy free listings work, who qualifies, where to find your referral link, where to share it, and which Etsy fees you still need to plan for.

What are Etsy free listings?

Etsy free listings are listing credits that cover Etsy’s standard listing fee. Instead of paying for those listings yourself, the credit is applied automatically to eligible future listings or renewals.

These credits are not cash, cannot be transferred to another account, and cannot be exchanged for money. Etsy also states that free listing credits do not expire, although they can no longer be used if the account is closed.

For a new seller, this is useful because it lowers the upfront cost of launching a shop and testing product ideas.

How to get 40 free Etsy listings

The process is simple, but it only works if you do it in the right order.

1. Use a valid Etsy referral link

An existing Etsy seller can share a referral link with new sellers. When an eligible new seller opens a new Etsy shop through that link, both people may receive free listing credits. Etsy’s official help documentation confirms that sellers can invite friends from the referral page and earn listing credits when a qualifying new seller opens a shop using that link.

2. Open a brand-new shop

This offer is intended for new sellers opening a new Etsy shop. If someone has already started the shop setup process, even if the shop is not public yet, the referral promotion generally will not apply. Etsy also says the referred person must begin as a buyer-only account before redeeming the referral offer.

3. Complete the setup directly from the referral link

This part matters more than people think. Etsy explains that the new seller must open the shop directly from the referral link. If they click the link and then leave the page, switch browsers, or continue setup in a different way, the referral may not be tracked correctly.

Important rule: this only works for new shops

If you already opened your Etsy shop without using a referral link, you generally cannot go back and add the free listings afterward for that same shop.

That is one of the biggest points people get wrong. The offer is not a retroactive bonus. It is a referral-based promotion tied to the creation of a new eligible shop.

Where to find your Etsy referral link

If you already sell on Etsy and want to invite new sellers, log into your Etsy account and go to Etsy’s seller referral page. From there, you can copy your personal referral link and share it.

A practical way to use it in a blog post is with a short call to action like this:

Planning to open your first Etsy shop? Use my referral link below and get free Etsy listings to start with lower upfront costs.

Then place your personal referral link directly underneath.

Where you can share your Etsy referral link

You will get better results when you share your referral link in places where people are already interested in Etsy, handmade products, printables, art, crafts, or side-income ideas.

Good places to share it include:

• blog posts about starting an Etsy shop
• Pinterest pins
• YouTube tutorials
• TikTok videos for beginners
• Instagram stories or your bio
• email newsletters
• Facebook groups, where allowed

The point is not to spam your link everywhere like a malfunctioning vending machine. The point is to place it where future sellers are already looking for answers.

Where you should not share it

This is where many articles go off the rails.

Etsy says listing descriptions and listing-related content may not be used to promote referral codes. That means you should not place your referral link inside Etsy product descriptions, Etsy listing images, or use your listings themselves as referral ads.

So if you see advice telling you to put your Etsy referral link directly inside your listings, ignore it. It is sloppy advice and it is not aligned with Etsy’s policy.

Are Etsy listings really free?

Normally, no.

Etsy charges a standard $0.20 USD listing fee per listing. A listing usually lasts for four months, and if it renews, another $0.20 fee applies. Additional listing fees can also apply when more than one quantity of the same item is sold. Free listing credits simply cover those listing fees when available.

So yes, you can reduce your startup cost with free listings, but Etsy is not a free platform overall.

What Etsy fees should new sellers expect?

Before opening a shop, it is important to understand the basic Etsy fee structure.

Here are the main costs to know:

Listing fee

Etsy charges $0.20 USD per listing. This is the fee your free listing credits can cover.

Transaction fee

Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee on the total order amount, including shipping and gift wrapping where applicable.

Payment processing fee

Payment processing fees are charged separately and vary by country. Etsy publishes country-specific payment processing rates in its Help Center.

Offsite Ads fee

If a sale comes through Etsy’s Offsite Ads, the fee is typically 15% for sellers with less than $10,000 USD in sales in the past 365 days and 12% for sellers with at least $10,000 USD in sales over that period, with a maximum cap of $100 per order.

One-time shop set-up fee

Etsy also states that a one-time, non-refundable shop set-up fee may apply depending on the seller’s location, and that fee is shown during the shop opening process if applicable.

Pattern fee

If you use Pattern, Etsy’s separate website builder, Etsy charges $15 per month after the 30-day free trial.

Can you use your own referral link to open a second Etsy shop?

No. You should not try to refer yourself.

Etsy says you may not use the referral program fraudulently to give yourself listing credits through another account. The program is meant to bring new sellers to the platform, not to create a fake loop for your own benefit. Credits are also non-transferable between accounts.

Is opening an Etsy shop still worth it?

For many creators, yes.

Etsy is still one of the easiest platforms for launching digital products, handmade items, art prints, templates, craft supplies, and small niche businesses. The entry cost is lower than building a full standalone ecommerce store from day one, and free listing credits can make that start even easier.

Just go into it with your eyes open. Free listings help with listing fees, but they do not remove transaction fees, payment processing fees, advertising fees, or any one-time setup fee that may apply in your country.

Final thoughts

If you are opening your first Etsy shop, using a referral link is one of the simplest ways to cut some of the initial cost. The key is to use the referral link before starting your shop, complete the process directly from that link, and understand that the benefit applies to listing fees only.

Used properly, Etsy’s referral program is a helpful bonus for new sellers. Used badly, it becomes one more internet myth wrapped in half-correct advice.

If you are publishing this article on your website, insert your referral link near the beginning and once again near the end with a clear call to action.

Ready to open your first Etsy shop?
Use my Etsy referral link below and get free listings to help you launch with lower upfront costs.

FAQ

Do new Etsy sellers still get 40 free listings?

In many cases, yes. Etsy commonly offers 40 free listing credits through its referral program, but Etsy also says the number of credits may vary depending on the current promotion.

Can I get free Etsy listings if I already opened my shop?

Usually no. The referral offer is generally only available when a new seller opens a new shop directly through a valid referral link before starting setup.

Can I put my Etsy referral link in my product listings?

No. Etsy says listings may not be used to promote referral codes or referral links.

Do Etsy free listings expire?

Etsy states that free listing credits do not expire, but they can no longer be used if the account is closed.

Do free listings mean Etsy is free to use?

No. Free listings only cover listing fees. Etsy may still charge transaction fees, payment processing fees, Offsite Ads fees, and in some cases a one-time shop set-up fee depending on location.

Can I use my own referral link for another Etsy shop?

No. Etsy prohibits fraudulent use of the referral program to give yourself listing credits through another account.