Calling all Etsy sellers! Do you want to unlock the full potential of your Etsy shop and see a significant increase in traffic and conversions? The key might be Etsy SEO, a powerful tool that can transform your business.
Think of Etsy SEO as the magic wand that helps your online store and listings get found in search results. We know it sounds like a big deal, but no worries, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. ✨🧙🏼♀️🧵
Our mission is to help you master this strategy so your shop and listings can be discovered, leading to more clicks and sales. Ready to start?
What Is Etsy SEO?
Etsy SEO is all about taking steps to boost your shop and product listings, helping you get noticed (elevate your visibility) and rank higher in Etsy search results—and even external search engines like Google! 🌐
How Does Etsy Search Work?
Etsy search is designed to match buyers with the items they’re looking for. Here’s a breakdown of the two phases:
Query Matching
A search query (made by a user/shopper) on Etsy is matched based on the title, tag, category, and attribute information you’ve added to your products.
Ranking
After gathering all the listings that match the query, Etsy’s algorithm ranks them so buyers see the items they’re most likely to purchase first. Let’s learn more about the factors that influence Etsy’s SEO ranking. 👇🏻
Etsy SEO Ranking Factors
Relevancy
Etsy analyzes your tags, titles, listing descriptions, categories, and attributes to see if they match a shopper’s query. Exact keyword matches can help your listing rank higher because they’re seen as more relevant.
Listing Quality Score
Etsy wants to help users find exactly what they’re looking for. So this e-commerce company looks at how well a listing converts—how many people view it and then make a purchase. High conversion rates boost a listing’s quality score and search ranking. This is why it’s important to implement all the Etsy SEO tips we’ll provide later. ✏️😊
Recency
Etsy temporarily promotes new listings in search results to see how buyers interact with them. Renewed listings get a smaller boost.
✏️ Pro tip: Focus on improving tags and conversion rates rather than constantly updating listings for this small boost.
Customer and Market Experience Score
Etsy aims to provide a great shopping experience for its users. So, this Brooklyn-based company factors in shop reviews, complete shop policies, and a well-constructed “About” section to positively impact your search ranking.
🌟 Pro tip: Avoid intellectual property infringement to maintain a good score.
Shipping Price
Shipping price is crucial for buyers. In the US, Etsy prioritizes listings and shops that offer guaranteed free shipping. Even if you can’t offer free shipping, try to balance your shipping costs with those of other Etsy competitors.
🍎 Pro tip: Digital downloads are also prioritized since they don’t require shipping. For the upcoming academic season, look at our back-to-school printables that you can sell on Etsy!
Translations and Language
When you set up your Etsy shop, you pick a preferred language, so make sure to use it consistently for your titles, tags, and descriptions. Etsy will handle translations for global shoppers, but creating your translations can work better than relying on machine translations if you’re bilingual.
Shoppers' Habits
Etsy customizes search results based on shoppers’ interests, so your search results might differ from others. To improve your Etsy SEO ranking, check your shop statistics to see which listings bring the most traffic from Etsy searches. Optimize underperforming listings by refreshing tags and adding popular keywords.
Etsy SEO Secrets: Rank Higher and Drive More Sales in 2024
Ready to optimize your Etsy shop and listings to rank higher, drive traffic, and boost conversions? Let’s dive in!
Etsy SEO Shop Optimization
Let’s get started with some Etsy SEO tips to help your shop shine. We’ll use examples from top Etsy sellers in 2024 and other successful picks with great sales numbers to guide us.
🏷 Tip #1: Shop Title ️
Your shop’s name contributes to its SEO and visibility on Etsy. It should include keywords related to what you sell or specialize in.
Take the shop “Jesus & Gabo’s” as an example. Their shop name, “thevintagejesus“, blends their niche—vintage items—with a personal touch. How cool is that? Here are some friendly tips to optimize your Etsy shop title:
- Keep it short (up to 55 characters), easy to remember, and niche-oriented.
- Include a primary keyword naturally.
- Use the same name for external links like Linktree or Beacons to gain trust and authority.
✏️ Tip #2: Shop Description️
Your shop description is crucial for a complete Etsy presence. It appears beneath your shop’s name on your homepage. Make it:
- Brief, concise, and powerful.
- Highlight your experience, specialization, shipping speed, and fun perks like freebies with each order.
💎 Fun fact: CaitlynMinimalist, a jewelry store, is the top Etsy seller in 2024, with over 61,000 sales in one month! Be sure to check out her shop description for inspiration. ✨
🧡 ️Tip #3: Shop's "About" Section️
Filling out your “About” section is super important! It helps customers learn more about you, what you sell, and why you sell it.
When you fill in all these details, you can get a higher customer and market score, which can improve your search ranking.
Here are some tips to make your “About” section shine and attract more customers:
- It’s important to show that there’s a real person behind every product. Take a page from WhimsyByWyeth and write a personal story about how your shop was always your dream, how it came to life, and other fun facts that help people connect with you and feel a sense of belonging.
- There are no strict rules—be as creative and heartfelt as you like! Just keep it concise, use paragraphs, and add emojis or bullet points to make it easy to read.
- Also, in terms of media, Etsy lets you upload up to 5 images and a video in your “About” section, so make the most of them! Show off your workspace, creative process, range of products, furry friends, or anything else that gives your brand a personal touch.
⭐ ️Tip #4: Shop Reviews️
Even in 2024, reviews make a huge difference. Positive reviews help Etsy SEO for sure as they:
- Boost your shop’s trust score.
- Encourage new customers to buy from you. So, always aim to do things right to get those glowing reviews!
✨ Tip #5: Shop Policies️
Clear shop policies let buyers know what to expect when purchasing from you. Using Etsy’s shop policies template can:
- Positively affect your search placement.
- Inform customers about returns, refunds, cancellations, exchanges, payment options, and shipping times.
- Elevate customer trust and be seen positively by Etsy. The process is automated now, so fill in a few boxes to improve your Etsy SEO! You can also add your top frequently asked questions to make it easier for your shoppers to find the information they’re looking for.
Etsy SEO Listing Optimization
Now, let’s move on to the second part of these Etsy SEO tips. We’ll show you how to make your Etsy listings shine and get discovered to match shoppers’ queries and boost conversions. 🌟
First Step: Get Clicks! 🖱️
Before buyers can purchase, they need to see your items in search results and be motivated to click. Here’s how to make that happen:
🏞️ Tip #6: Listing Photos️
Photos are crucial on Etsy, especially the first one, as it’s the one displayed in search results. Check how PacheStudio did it, and grab a pencil and paper to learn how to optimize your images for Etsy SEO:
First Photo
- Ensure your first photo clearly shows the item for sale.
- Also, choose an eye-catching image that helps shoppers imagine the item in their lives. The first image should draw shoppers in, whether you use a clean white background or a lifestyle context.
Following Photos
- Use all 10 allowed photos to increase your conversion rate. Provide various angles and details to help potential buyers get a comprehensive view of the product.
- Include close-ups, different colors, sizes, materials, your creative process, and customization options. For example, if you’re selling earrings, show close-ups, modeled shots, and size comparisons.
Quality Matters
- Etsy surveys show that high-quality pictures are super important for shoppers. Make sure your photos are clear, well-lit, and professionally taken. Use Placeit by Envato’s mockups to showcase your designs perfectly for a top-notch look. This is especially beneficial if you sell print-on-demand items like apparel, wall art, mugs, and other standardized products.
- Remember to add alt text to all your images. If you’re new to alt texts, they describe what an image shows. Be sure to adequately describe what you see in the picture, including details like colors, textures, materials, and relevant keywords related to the item. This not only helps with accessibility but also boosts your Etsy SEO.
Video Tips
- If you’re uploading videos, make sure they’re short and engaging to showcase your product in detail.
- For apparel or art prints, consider using video mockups to display your designs without physical samples. This helps potential buyers visualize the product in real life.
⭐ Pro tip: By using accurate alt texts, Google can better understand what’s in an image, and your page might appear in image-based searches.
🤑 Tip #7: Listing Prices
Price is hands-down a significant factor in search rankings. Why? Buyers often compare prices before clicking on a listing. Research your competitors and set a fair, profitable price. Offering sales or free shipping can also boost your ranking and attract buyers. When buyers see discounted prices, they’re more likely to click, and Etsy will categorize these listings under the “on-sale” filter.
🚀 For more details on pricing strategies, check out the Etsy Seller Handbook. You might also want to use our Free Profit Margin Calculator to do the math for you and discover the best price for your Etsy products.
✍🏻 Tip #8: Listing Titles
Titles are one of the first things buyers see, so use them effectively to improve your Etsy SEO. Here are some tips:
Keep Them Simple
Make your titles simple, concise, and easy to read—crafted for humans, not just for search engines. For example:
- Don’t: “Personalized dopp kit men’s leather dopp kit groomsmen gift add a monogram”.
- Do: “Monogrammed leather dopp kit groomsmen gift”.
Important Keywords First
Include your most important keywords at the beginning. This isn’t mandatory, but it does help with Etsy SEO. Etsy only shows the first 31 characters to shoppers, so make them count.
🤓 Pro tip: Don’t overuse keywords or repeat the exact phrases in your titles, as you may negatively affect your listing page performance.
Use Punctuation and Symbols
Separate phrases with punctuation or symbols—Etsy can still read and match these with shoppers’ queries.
Accurate Words Only
Create your items’ titles carefully and accurately to avoid misleading buyers. Misleading titles can cause buyers to leave your listing and violate Etsy’s House Rules. For instance, if your jewelry is made via print on demand, don’t claim it’s handmade.
🗂️ Tip #9: Listing Categories
Categories on Etsy act like tags. The more specific the category, the better your chances of being found. Start with a broad category and narrow it down to the most specific subcategory. This creates more opportunities for your listings to be discovered. 😉
🌈 Tip #10: Listing Attributes
Attributes on Etsy are additional details you provide as a seller to help shoppers find exactly what they’re looking for. These attributes allow users to filter their search results, often by colors, occasions, and holidays, making it easier for them to discover the perfect item.
✏️ Fun fact: Etsy creates these attributes based on extensive research into buyer search behaviors, helping your listing match a shopper’s query in Etsy search results.
Here’s how to make the most of them:
Cover Specific Characteristics
Include attributes like primary color, secondary color, holiday, occasion, height, and width.
Describe the Product, Not Its Use
For example, a “Mother’s Day card” fits the “Mother’s Day holiday” attribute, but a simple pair of earrings doesn’t, as earrings can be sold all year round, not just for this festive occasion.
Use Suggested Attributes
Take advantage of Etsy’s machine learning feature that automatically suggests relevant attributes for your item. Simply apply these suggestions to your listing for better Etsy SEO.
Stick to Relevant Attributes
Sellers see attributes related only to the category they choose. For example, the blouse category will show attributes like size, pattern, and style. But, only use attributes that truly match your product to ensure a great user experience and better Etsy SEO. 🌟
⚡️ Tip #11: Listing Descriptions
Keywords are the holy grail of SEO, and for Etsy SEO, they’re crucial in listing descriptions as they affect your ranking. Here’s how to optimize your listing descriptions for SEO:
Incorporate Keywords
- Include keywords in the first few sentences of your descriptions. Don’t just copy the title—create natural sentences that incorporate your main keywords. Remember, you’re targeting humans, not computers.
- Craft your text according to your brand’s voice for a personal touch.
Think Like a Buyer
- To rank well in search engines, it’s essential to provide detailed descriptions of your items. Put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and think about what you’d like to know. For example, if you’re buying a sweater, you’re looking for information that tells you more about the available colors, materials, sizes, and customization options. Use these insights to craft the perfect description for your listing.
Provide Relevant Information
- Highlight what makes your product unique compared to other Etsy competitors (do this naturally without direct comparisons) and emphasize its main selling points.
- Clarity is key in your descriptions. For instance, if you’re selling custom pots, clearly state that the buyer will receive only the pot, not the plants, to avoid confusion. Similarly, if you’re offering digital downloads, mention that buyers need to print them at home since they won’t receive a physical product.
- Finally, make sure your description is easy to read. Break up the text with paragraphs, emojis, or bullet points.
#️⃣ Tip #12: Listing Tags
Tags on Etsy are phrases that describe the product you sell. Each tag is a chance to match a shopper’s search. You have 13 tags available, so make sure to use all of them! 🌟
Use Natural Language
Use phrases your users might use, like “Gifts for Dog Lovers” or “Personalized Gifts for Kids“.
Utilize Short and Specific Phrases
Your phrases can be up to 20 characters long, so make each of them count! For example, use “custom stickers sheet” instead of breaking it down into “custom,” “sticker,” and “sheet.” Combining words like this leaves more space for other specific tags, making your listings easier to find and more appealing to shoppers.
Need More Examples Approved by Etsy? Here You Go!
- Multi-Word Phrases: “1920s cat brooch,” “reusable straw pouch,” “striped ceramic mug,” “set of four coasters.”
- Materials and Techniques: Tags like “custom handwriting,” “personalized iced coffee cup,” and “vegan leather.”
- Target Customer: Tags like “Gifts for Book Lovers” and “Personalized Mother’s Day Gifts“.
- Shopping Occasions: Use occasion attributes for specific events, like “Christmas stockings” or “ornaments.” Adding occasion-based tags helps reach shoppers looking for appropriate items, even if they weren’t explicitly designed for that occasion. Examples: “First anniversary,” “christening gifts,” “stocking stuffers,” “bachelorette party.”
Review and Update Your Tags
Constantly check your tags to see which ones are performing well and which aren’t. Refresh the tags that are receiving little traffic and diversify the terms you use.
Consider Your Customer's Location
Think about your customers and where they are from. For example, if you sell sneakers and many of your customers are in Australia searching for “joggers,” add “joggers.” to your tags. 😉
Use Synonyms
Consider variations of terms like “pillow” and “cushion” to reach a broader audience.
Correct Spelling
Ensure your tags are well-written and free of spelling mistakes. Etsy SEO handles misspellings differently than Google SEO. So, good grammar is a must! 
Don't Worry About Plurals
There’s no need to include plurals. For example, if there are searches for “tote bags” and your listing is “tote bag,” your result will still be relevant as Etsy takes the root of the word.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the Quick Edit Tool in your Shop Manager to add or remove tags from multiple listings simultaneously. This saves time and ensures that all your listings are updated efficiently. 🛠️⌛
Etsy Templates for Your Shop and Listings
Etsy’s algorithm preferences high-quality pictures, and with Placeit by Envato, you can rest assured you’ll get just that! Our Etsy gallery includes a variety of Etsy templates to help you shine:
Etsy Mockups
- With our mockups, you can showcase your designs stylishly and professionally without needing the physical item on hand!
- Plus, you can easily customize these mockups to match your brand’s aesthetics and find a huge variety of angles, colors, models, styles, orientations, sizes, backgrounds, and close-ups. 📐
Etsy Designs
- Placeit by Envato also offers a fantastic collection of Etsy designs to help you create standout listings and banners with professional graphics.
- Plus, you have the option to use our design templates to customize and sell them on Etsy; whether you’re looking for t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, art print design templates, or anything you imagine, we surely got it! This is perfect for those who aren’t design masters but want to deliver top-notch designs to their buyers. Simply choose a template, customize it to your liking, and download it.
🚀 Want to speed even more your customization process? Use Placeit’s Brand Kit feature to have your colors, typefaces, and logos readily available to save you time and focus on your Etsy shop.
You're Ready to Conquer Etsy SEO with These Last Tips!
We’ve reached the end of this guide, and it’s important to note that all these tips and strategies require time and effort. Etsy SEO will produce results after some time, so be patient and monitor your progress. Here are our final tips:
Analyze and Measure
Before implementing these Etsy SEO tips:
- Analyze your shop’s main metrics to understand its current performance.
- Once you start applying these strategies, measure what can be improved and what’s working great.
- Don’t change things too frequently; allow your changes to take effect and monitor their progress.
Make Proper SEO Optimizations
To master Etsy SEO, focus on your tags, titles, categories, and attributes. These elements work together to match your listings with shoppers’ searches. Our goal is to help shoppers find items they want to purchase.
Continue Improving
Your Etsy SEO strategy shouldn’t be a one-time effort. Constantly monitor your listings to see which ones are performing well and which need a boost. During seasonal changes, refresh your keywords to capture new opportunities.
✏️ Box of Resources for Etsy Sellers
Etsy Content
Looking for more Etsy content? You’ve got it! Take a look at these posts:
SEO Content
Want to improve your SEO across all channels? Don’t miss out on these resources:
