Etsy SEO can be challenging since the Etsy search engine and other quality raters continuously change how consumers search. Additionally, this top online marketplace is extremely competitive, with thousands of new merchants going live daily. Therefore, improving your overall Etsy SEO becomes more urgent, especially if you want to leverage sales revenue.
Discussing the matter further, sellers should have a basic understanding of Etsy SEO and the best practices. This helps optimize their businesses for search and get their items in front of more potential customers.
Not sure how to make your Etsy shop more SEO-friendly? Here are the 10 best Etsy SEO tips:
- Change your Etsy shop name that describes your products
- Use your main & important Etsy keywords
- Avoid repeating the same keyword
- Make use of all 13 tags in each listing
- Include keywords in the first few listings
- Regularly update your listings
- Advertise your store to get inbound links
- Ensure better customer experience
- Generate backlinks to Etsy shop
- Utilize social media to boost Etsy SEO
Let’s go!
Go Multi-Selling and Reach More Customers
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What is Etsy SEO?
Etsy SEO is the process of increasing an online shop’s visibility and ranking in search engines such as Google or Etsy’s own search system. In particular, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, involving a set of techniques and strategies to enhance organic (non-paid) traffic to your website.
Similarly, in the case of Etsy, Etsy SEO is responsible for increasing a store’s visibility whenever an online shopper searches for a product. By optimizing listings on Etsy, an e-seller can improve their rankings and gain a higher position on the search result page, which much likely leads to greater sales potential later on.
How should you understand Etsy SEO?
To begin with, Etsy SEO is a continuous process. Surely, optimizing your Etsy shop for SEO is a process that takes time and effort. You should regularly update your listings with relevant keywords, keep your shop fresh and relevant, and build high-quality backlinks to improve your ranking.
Moving on, Etsy SEO is about understanding your customers. To gain desired sales volume, you need to understand your customers’ needs and preferences. This is represented by using relevant keywords and descriptive language to highlight the unique features of your items on Etsy, which meets the market’s demand.
Finally, Etsy SEO is a combination of art and science. While it involves using the right tools and techniques, it also requires creativity and innovation to implement SEO for Etsy. In addition, you should keep up with the latest trends and strategies to be ahead of the competition and improve your chances of success.
As an Etsy seller, you might also want to read:
Why should you apply Etsy SEO?
From our perspective, there are two main reasons why you should conduct SEO for your Etsy store. In particular, Etsy SEO plays a key role in your short- and long-term success story. Without further ado, let us explain the details.
- Etsy SEO is essential for success: Etsy SEO is a critical factor in your Etsy shop’s success because it helps improve visibility in search engine results, attract more traffic, and increase your chances of making sales.
- Etsy SEO is a long-term investment: Optimizing SEO on Etsy will pay off through increased visibility, traffic, and sales sooner or later. By following best practices, staying consistent, and focusing on quality, you can build a strong foundation for your Etsy business and achieve long-term success on the platform.
How Etsy Search Works
According to Etsy’s technical SEO consultants, the Etsy search process is divided into 2 stages: Query matching and Ranking. Here’s a quick overview.
Query matching for Etsy SEO
Briefly, query matching refers to the process during which Etsy’s algorithm matches a user’s query with available product listings.
In detail, whenever a shopper enters a query (search term) into the search bar, Etsy’s algorithm will instantly analyze this input to find out the buying intent. This is where keywords come to their roles. Speaking of which, we suggest you check the Etsy Keyword 101 guide and LitCommerce’s recommendations for Etsy keyword tool.
Then, the algorithm considers several factors, such as relevancy, quality score, or recency, to rank products on the search result page, which will be explained right below.
Ranking for Etsy SEO
As mentioned, Etsy ranks based on various factors. Discussing the matter further, here is a grasp of 9 factors based on which the Etsy ranking procedures take place.
- Relevancy: Listings may appear in search results if their tags, titles, categories, and attributes match a user’s search phrase. As a norm, exact-match keywords rank higher in the search results.
- Listing quality score: This essentially indicates how effectively it transforms. Etsy uses clues to determine how interesting a listing is. Thus, the more people who view and purchase a listing, the higher its quality score becomes.
- Recency: When a new listing is made, Etsy raises it in the search results for a limited time. This is an effective way to help determine its quality score.
- Customer and market experience score: Each business has a score that influences its position based on customer reviews, your shop’s “About” section, and any negative comments.
- Shipping price: Here is an important factor influencing a user’s buying decision and Etsy SEO. Normally, Etsy prioritizes companies that ship for free or offer a free-shipping assurance to customers in the US.
- Translation and language: All the store information must be in the language you choose when you started your Etsy account.
- Shop location: The seller’s location is taken into account in the EU, Australia, and Canada, and local items appear somewhat higher in Etsy search result pages. Yet, location isn’t a factor in searches done within other countries.
- Shopper’s habits: Search results are also personalized for each shopper. Notably, Etsy analyzes what customers want and shows them the things they’re most likely to buy.
- Context-Specific Ranking (CSR): Based on the buyers’ preferences throughout Etsy, CSR helps display relevant listings get more likely to be purchased. Therefore, sellers may consider CSR an Etsy SEO factor as well.
10 Etsy SEO Tips to Improve Your Shop’s Visibility
Ready to uncover the best 10 Etsy SEO tricks and boost your store’s visibility yet? Let’s keep you waiting no longer and kick them off now!
#1. Change your Etsy shop name that describes your products.
The #1 SEO tips is naming your shop properly. Not only will this Etsy tips helps increase visibility, but also leverages your sales potential. Particularly, your shop title is a short business description that lets customers know what you make and sell.
Therefore, take advantage of the opportunity to title your store appropriately. This title will become the page title for your shop page and will be the first text a user sees when visiting your shop. You should consider a title that reflects the type of things you sell. For example, SoapMakingTools sells soap-making tools on Etsy.
LitCommerce has finally published a detailed guide on how to change your Etsy shop name. Check it out!
If you know that customers will locate your products by searching for your actual name, incorporate your name in the shop title so that they can find you quickly. If you are new to this marketplace, remember to discover the 10 best-selling items on Etsy for a fresh start. Especially, finding digital products to sell on Etsy is now a rising trend!
#2. Use your main & important keywords
Using primary keywords in optimizing your Etsy listings is an essential part of Etsy SEO. However, to use keywords correctly, you need to follow the 3 steps below:
- Learn how keywords work in Etsy search
- Find the right keywords for your product listings
- Optimize listings with the keywords found
Learn how keywords work in Etsy search
To begin with, you’ll need to understand how Etsy SEO calculates which listings will appear in search results.
Items on Etsy must match a user’s search phrases, and exact matches will appear highest in the search results.
If a customer searches for an “animal sticker”, the search will return all items that contain both “animal” and “sticker” in the listing tags or titles. The system will replace those things based on keywords in the most relevant order.
Here’s what Etsy SEO considers when ranking search results:
- An exact phrase match is more powerful than matching individual search phrases. For instance, “animal sticker” will be prioritized over a match for “animal” or “sticker”.
- When a search term appears in both the title and tags of a listing, Etsy deems that listing to be more relevant than one with the search term only in the tags or title.
- Words at the beginning of titles are more important than words at the end. For example, “animal sticker waterproof” would rank above “waterproof animal sticker”.
Find keywords for your Etsy listings
Consider yourself as a buyer while selecting which keywords will perform best for your search listings.
Let’s try to raise some questions like “What terms would you use to search for a specific product?”. It’s better if you test those keywords by typing them into the search bar on Etsy to see what comes up to determine if it’s a good fit.
Another Etsy SEO tip is to think of long-tail keywords or specific terms. That is because there is less competition, and people searching for exactly what they want are more likely to make a purchase.
To clarify, if you include “cotton customized name T-shirts” in your keyword list, users who search for that exact term will easily find your listing.
In terms of Etsy SEO, while thinking about prospective keywords, it’s easy to rely on physical item descriptions, such as the size or color of your item. You can refer to other search terms that a buyer might use, apart from describing your product in terms of what it is, such as the following:
- Occasion: Users may search for the terms like “bachelorette party,” “stocking stuffer,” “first anniversary,” and “tacky sweater party” on Etsy.
- Style: Consider how this influences the way your listing is found when your shoppers frequently have an aesthetic in mind. For example, “rustic”, “minimalist”, “nature-inspired”, “art deco”, and so on.
- Solution: You should provide your customers with a solution. Consider how a user may look for a way to solve their problem, such as “drawer organizer”, or “microchip pet tag”, etc.
In the end, you may want to use Etsy SEO tools to figure out the most relevant and potential keywords. We highly recommend EtsyHunt or other Etsy keyword research tools like Marmalead.
Optimize your listings with keywords
Since you have got the right Etsy keywords, here is how you can optimize your product listings using the selected ones. There are three places you should incorporate the primary keywords, including titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Product titles: Always place your main keywords in the title so that your listings can get a higher chance of visibility. A good product title should be concise, clear, and represent what your product is about. Besides, don’t forget to include relevant sub-keywords so your item can match a greater buying intent.
- Product descriptions: It is important to write an engaging, accurate, and comprehensive product description. Additionally, in product descriptions, we would recommend having long-tail keywords to increase sales opportunities. Nonetheless, while you write about your product, try to include prioritized keywords naturally. Over-optimizing may do the opposite.
- Product tags: Last but not least, you should use keywords for Etsy tags to enhance product visibility. On top of that, when it comes to tags, it is advisable to use a mix of specific and general search terms.
#3. Avoid repeating the same keyword
When a buyer searches on Etsy for something, the search algorithm will only show one or two listings from a single seller. It’s mostly depending on how closely the listings match the user’s search. De-clumping is a technique used by Etsy to ensure that a diverse range of stores appears in the search results.
To be more specific, when you search for “Photo decor frames & displays” on Etsy, a large number of distinct shops will be revealed in the picture below.
When it comes to Etsy SEO, you shouldn’t use the same primary keyword for more than a couple of your items because of the Etsy de-clumping. Or else, you’ll be competing with yourself in search results.
For example, if you sell a range of swimwear in your shop, using the term “swimwear” for every item you have for sale isn’t a good idea. Instead, vary your keywords by utilizing the term “swimwear” a few times and come up with related terms like “one-piece swimsuit”, or “boho beachwear”.
#4. Make use of all 13 tags in each listing
Do you know that the asterisk (*) beside these fields is mandatory? In fact, Etsy takes into account the information supplied in all of them when displaying search results.
Although the tags area is optional, it is critical to provide various tags in order to optimize your listings for search. Speaking of which, you should use all 13 tags to improve Etsy SEO.
You should consider synonyms that consumers would use to search for your item when brainstorming tags, such as “cap” and “hat”.
Also, examining how a shopper’s region could influence how they search for an item. If you sell flip-flops, you might want to use the term “thong sandals” to reach shoppers in other nations. Long-tail keywords can also be used in your tags.
When it comes to Etsy SEO and tagging, it’s worth noting that:
- Tags should not be repeated. For instance, if you sell baby headbands, you shouldn’t use both “baby headbands” and “infant headbands”. Instead, use a range of tags such as “baby headband” and “infant headpiece” to bring your items in front of more sellers.
- If a tag is already present in attributes, don’t use it. You don’t need to add a tag for “red and gold vintage earrings” if you previously specified that you’re selling red and gold vintage earrings. Thus, you don’t need to fill out your item’s attributes – the extra data you can add to your listings after picking a category.
- Tags should not contain plurals or misspellings. When a user enters a query, Etsy scans for root words and redirects users who make frequent spelling mistakes.
- Adding tags in several languages isn’t a good idea. Only use the language you choose when you create your store. Etsy will help translate your listings.
#5. Include keywords in the first few listings
When creating a new listing, start with the fundamental info about your shop or item – in other words, the keywords you want to rank for. This Etsy SEO trick not only captures a consumer’s eye but also helps Etsy determine which items are relevant to a user’s search phrase. The process of transcribing audio to text may assist you in creating content that is natural and easy to read.
As you place the items on the listing page, look over how you can get the most significant features of your item in the first few words. When it comes to Etsy SEO tips, here are our suggestions:
- Item title: At the beginning of the item title, clearly describe your item and include keywords that a buyer would use to search for.
- Item description: You can utilize the first 160 characters of your item description to build your listing page’s meta description. This is the text that shows beneath your page title in search engine results. While your description might be longer than 160 characters, the first 40 characters should contain the most significant keywords for your product.
- Shop sections: You can create up to 20 custom sections in your shop, and each has its own landing page. A page title based on the section name will be used for each landing page.
These page titles, like your store title, are what a user will see in a search engine when they click on a link to your shop. The name of a section can be up to 24 characters long.
#6. Regularly update your listings
Recency is a factor in the Etsy search algorithm when you create a new listing, and it receives a temporary boost.
As a result, Etsy can learn about how customers engage with it and use that information to evaluate the listing’s quality score. Renewed listings also receive a similar boost, which can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. That’s because Etsy will retain your listings depending on how frequently consumers look for specific items.
Moreover, renewing or re-listing your products on a regular basis isn’t an effective long-term Etsy SEO strategy. It can be beneficial to renew listings at specific times.
For instance, if you’ve already optimized the keyword and it’s incredibly competitive, it may be beneficial to give it a boost. You should choose particular times when a massive number of people are browsing on Etsy and making purchases. Or else, you won’t see much of a gain if you refresh a listing at 3 AM on Monday because it isn’t peak traffic time.
Beyond that, always stay updated with the latest Etsy search trends to make any adjustments if necessary.
#7. Advertise your store to get inbound links
Both the Etsy SEO algorithm and the search engines attempt to produce relevant and entertaining search results. They achieve this in a variety of ways, including exposing sites or items that are often linked to other sources.
While you can link your Etsy shop to your own website or blog, you should also look for other chances to improve Etsy SEO. Here are a few suggestions to advertise your Etsy shop:
- Make contact with other websites and bloggers to have your shop’s listings featured. In exchange for free products, request reviews from influencers.
- Contact other Etsy shop owners to discuss strategies to promote your products through cross-promotion.
- Start an affiliate program for your store. This is when you team up with industry influencers that promote your products to their followers via email, blog posts, and social media. Affiliate programs are less expensive than advertising, making them a cost-effective approach to getting more sales on Etsy.
#8. Ensure better customer experience
Is selling on Etsy worth it? Etsy always wants to give customers the best shopping experience possible; therefore, the marketplace determines whether a shop has an excellent customer service record. If the shop is, the likelihood of its listings appearing higher in search results will increase.
You should complete every area of your business to confirm your business complies with Etsy’s standards. It should be the About, Shipping, Payment options, Returns & Exchanges, and Privacy Stores sections. If your store has these areas filled out, it’ll have more selling potential and higher search ranks.
Your customer service level can also negatively affect your Etsy SEO. Responding to customer inquiries quickly, completing returns and exchanges, and responding to negative feedback can result in favorable reviews and improve search results. On the other hand, disagreements with buyers or issues with intellectual property infringement might have a negative impact on search ranking.
#9. Generate backlinks to Etsy shop
Generating backlinks to Etsy shops is a valuable contributor to the overall Etsy SEO strategy. Utmostly, backlinks can help improve your rankings, visibility, and organic traffic. Furthermore, if you can generate backlinks from sites in relevant niches, your Etsy shop will then gain much more credibility.
Discussing backlinks in depth, there are several factors to consider regarding backlink generation. First and foremost, paying close attention to relevancy and site quality is crucial. As mentioned, we suggest you prioritize websites from related niches in your field, which should have high ratings. This is useful to both increasing your visibility and credibility, as well as general evaluation from Google and Etsy search engines.
Following that, you must ensure you have a natural link-building to your website to achieve desirable Etsy SEO results. This can be achieved by constant quality improvement (both products and customer support). As you have managed to enhance the general quality, it is unsurprising that other sites may refer to your Etsy store. Finally, consulting extensively with Etsy’s policies on external links and ensuring your approach aligns with them are recommended. Especially, staying away from low-quality and spammy links is a must for any Etsy seller. By conducting these two tasks and updating with our Etsy backlink tips, you will likely avoid many unnecessary troubles.
#10. Utilize social media to boost Etsy SEO
Despite being an indirect factor to Etsy SEO, social media still has the strength to shift your online business success.
Doubtlessly, social media is a powerful marketing tool that helps to increase traffic and raise sales volume. That’s why you should consider utilizing social media if leveraging profits and reaching more customers are your goals. Let’s check a few ways to do so.
- Link Etsy to social media: Why not link your Etsy shop with any social media platform you are active on? Remarkably, potential platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest can draw the attention of a massive audience. Surely, this would be a helpful tip regarding SEO for Etsy.
- Share Etsy listings regularly: We highly advise sharing your product listings with compelling visuals on social media as another approach to your target audience. By following this Etsy SEO trick, you have gained a chance for higher visibility and organic traffic to the main store.
- Stay active in relevant communities: Remember to engage with dynamic and relevant communities. You may find a great customer base with high buying intent.
- Promote user-generated content: User-generated content is a significant Etsy SEO tool. It can be reviews, taggings, and mentions from customers. Obviously, UGC is a piece of concrete evidence showing customers’ satisfaction with your brand. By promoting UGC, you are not only gaining more organic traffic but also a better reputation.
Go Multi-seling and Kick Off Your Next Chapter
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Etsy SEO – FAQs
- 1. Can I use SEO on Etsy?
Etsy SEO is the process of increasing an online shop’s visibility in search engines such as Google or Etsy’s own search system. SEO can be challenging especially since search engines are continuously changing the way consumers search.
- 2. How do I increase SEO on Etsy?
Here are some basic steps on how to increase SEO on Etsy:
- Change your Etsy shop name that describes your products.
- Use your main & important keywords
- Avoid repeating the same keyword
- Make use of all 13 tags in each listing
- Include keywords in the first few listings
- Regular update your listings
- Advertise your store to get inbound links
- Ensure better customer experience
- Generate backlinks to Etsy shop
- Utilize social media to boost Etsy SEO
- 3. How Etsy search works?
Etsy search is a powerful tool that connects buyers with the items they’re looking for, making it simple for them to purchase.
According to Etsy’s technical SEO consultants, the search process is divided into 2 stages Query matching and Ranking.
- 4. What are Etsy SEO tools?
Etsy SEO tools are specifically designed applications or software that help to conduct Etsy SEO practices, including finding keywords, analyzing competitors, and suggesting optimization tips for product listings. Some of the most popular Etsy SEO tools are eRank, EtsyHunt, Marmalead, Alura, and Crest.
- 5. How do I find the best SEO keywords for Etsy?
You can find the best SEO keywords for Etsy by using an Etsy keyword tool. Our most recommended Etsy keyword research tools are EtsyHunt, eRank, Alura, Sale Samurai, and Marmalead. Also, you should check for trending Etsy searches simply through the search bar.
Final Words – Stay Fresher for Etsy SEO
In 2023, the quality of customer service on Etsy SEO hasn’t altered all that much from prior years. However, because the industry is becoming more competitive every second, it’s something you’ll have to be always “active” about.
If you’re a professional seller, a little refresher on your Etsy store will help you keep the search traffic coming. Or else, in case you’re a newbie, follow the tips above to lay a solid foundation so you can obtain those first sales and become a behemoth on Etsy! Besides, some technical SEO consultants might also effectively aid your SEO efforts.
If you currently have a business website and want to start selling on Etsy to grow your sales, LitCommerce can be your best companion. LitCommerce is a SaaS system that allows e-sellers to list and sell products on the best selling platforms and manage all data with just a single dashboard. Should you have any concern, feel free to reach us via our 24/7 live chat. It is a pleasure to accompany you!
Lastly, make sure to join LitCommerce’s Facebook Community and visit our Retail Blog for the best eCommerce tips and tricks!
