How Etsy's search bar appears to share what you type

It appears that when a shopper types a word into Etsy.com's search bar and presses Enter, the page sends that word to outside companies.

The search words appear to reach at least three outside companies directly:

  • Meta, Facebook's parent company, appears to receive them as a "Search" event, along with an identifier Meta uses to recognize the browser.
  • Pinterest appears to receive them in a field labeled as a search query. The same Pinterest code also appears to send scrambled identifiers of the kind ad companies use to match a visitor to a known person.
  • Google Analytics appears to receive them as a search term.

The address of the search results page, which contains the words searched, also appears to go to Snap, Microsoft's Bing, Google's advertising systems and The Trade Desk. Visitors do not appear to be given a choice about this before it happens.

Why your searches matter

A search is a message. When you type into Etsy's search bar, you are telling Etsy what you want to find. Those words can say a lot about you: a gift for a new baby, an item tied to your faith, a product for a health condition, a memorial for someone who died.

Advertising companies use this kind of information to build profiles and target ads. Meta and Pinterest can connect what a browser does on one site to the people who use their own apps. That is why it matters who else receives the words you type, and whether you were asked first.

What California law says

California has one of the strongest privacy laws in the country for electronic communications. It prohibits reading or learning the contents of a communication while it is being sent without the consent of everyone taking part. It also reaches companies that help someone else do it.

California lets a person whose communications were read this way bring a claim and seek damages. They do not have to prove they lost money. This investigation looks at whether Etsy's search bar sends shoppers' words to outside companies without the consent the law requires.

Who may qualify

You may qualify if you live in California and used Etsy.com, especially if you typed searches into its search bar. People with an Etsy account are the easiest to identify, so if you have one, have the account's email address and username ready. If you sell on Etsy, include your shop name.

If you use Facebook or Instagram, you can check the settings page called Your activity off Meta technologies. It lists businesses that sent Meta information about you. If Etsy is on the list, save a screenshot.

What Maginnis Howard is doing

Maginnis Howard is investigating Etsy's practices on behalf of California residents. Signing up is free and takes about a minute. We work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost and we are paid only if a claim succeeds. Each claim is reviewed and pursued individually.

The legal basis

Why this may be illegal

It appears that when shoppers type into Etsy.com's search bar, the words they type are sent to Meta (Facebook's parent company), Pinterest and Google as they search, along with identifiers that advertising companies use to recognize a browser. The address of the search results page, which contains the words searched, also appears to go to Snap, Microsoft's Bing and The Trade Desk. Visitors do not appear to be given a choice about this before it happens.

The law

California law prohibits reading or learning the contents of a communication while it is in transit without the consent of everyone taking part. When you type a search or fill in a form on a company's website, you are communicating with that company, not with the advertising and analytics firms it has quietly copied in. California gives the person whose communication was intercepted a right to sue for a set amount per violation, without having to prove the interception cost them money. This investigation is limited to California residents.

What you could recover

California law sets damages at the greater of $5,000 per violation or three times actual damages, and the person whose communication was intercepted does not have to show they lost money. How many violations one person's visits add up to is unsettled, so no amount is promised to anyone; estimates assume one violation per person.

How your claim would be handled

Claims like this are handled as individual arbitration cases — private proceedings, no courtroom. For Etsy (Etsy, Inc.), cases are typically administered through AAA.

Think you're affected? Check if you qualify and sign up in about two minutes — no upfront cost.

Check if you qualify

Frequently asked questions

What does Etsy's website appear to do?

It appears that when a shopper types into Etsy's search bar, the words are sent to Meta (Facebook's parent company) as a search event, to Pinterest in a field labeled as a search query, and to Google Analytics as a search term. The search page's address, which contains the words searched, also appears to go to Snap, Microsoft's Bing and The Trade Desk.

Do I need to prove I lost money?

No. California law lets people whose communications were read by outside companies without consent bring a claim and seek damages without showing they lost money.

Why is this only for California residents?

This claim is brought under California privacy law, which protects people who live in California. We are not able to take claims from people in other states for this investigation.

What information do you need from me?

Your name, email and phone number, plus the email address and username on your Etsy account (and your shop name if you sell). Etsy asks for those details before a dispute can move forward. The form also asks for your mailing address, which helps but is not required to sign up. You do not need receipts or screenshots.

Does it cost anything?

No. We work on a contingency basis. There is no upfront cost, and we are paid only if your claim succeeds.

I clicked through Etsy's pages without ever being asked. Does that matter?

Many visitors never see a request for permission before tracking starts. Whether and how you were asked is one of the things we review for each person. Tell us what you remember and we will look at it.

I don't have an Etsy account. Can I still sign up?

Yes. Tell us how you used the site. People with an account are easier to identify, so if you have one, include its email and username.

How can I see whether Etsy shared my activity with Meta?

If you use Facebook or Instagram, open the settings page called Your activity off Meta technologies. It lists businesses that sent Meta information about you. If Etsy appears there, take a screenshot and keep it.

What clients say

The entire process with Maginnis Howard was effortless. All our communication was by email and only a few phone calls. Any calls or emails were answered very promptly. I would like to thank Ian and Maginnis Howard. I will highly recommend any dispute that includes an Arbitration Agreement, there could no be a better Firm to represent you!
— Daniel B.
Ian is an excellent communicator who knows how to work with these companies to obtain a resolution and get you the best settlement offer possible. I highly recommend Ian and the Maginnis Howard law firm for anyone navigating the arbitration process.
— Cheille H.
I'm very grateful for his representation and the result we achieved. If you're facing arbitration and feel overwhelmed or unsure of your rights, I highly recommend Ian Vance and Maginnis Howard. They know how to handle these cases and fight for their clients.
— Ryan Z.

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