Pretty sure you already know that SEO is built on a mathematical function known as an algorithm. It is a set of mathematical rules that do not change but have a constantly changing output based on inputs. A small input change can result in a large and unexpected output (search result) such as placement of any given listing. The rules didn't change, but what the group of *all* the pencil case sellers does changes constantly which changes the order of the pencil cases. The output is not linear.


An oversimplified way of looking at it comparing yesterday's weather with today's. Yesterday was sunny with a high of almost 80 degrees. Today will be cloudy with a high in the mid sixties. I didn't mowed the lawn but I didn't trim the hedges, so, what caused the sudden seemingly drastic change? Again, over simplified, so don't shoot me. :o)


One other consideration: For years many sellers have complained about clumping in search results - when only a few seemingly select shops/items are displayed in the first page(s) of a search for a specific item; sort of like what is described in the original post. I've seen Etsy responses to some of those complaints and they assure everyone that "clumping" is not something they do, but that they do look into the issue on a regular basis. Perhaps, over time, they've discovered something that could be causing "clumping" and have taken action to prevent it, hence giving everyone a fair shot at having their pencil case show up on the first page.


Perhaps posting in in the Bugs forum would elicit a response from Etsy?


R/Mike