Making your listings more visible on Etsy search is the goal of every Etsy shop owner. One important way to increase views is by using the proper keyword tags for each item. These Etsy tips will help you successfully tag items in order to jump-start views and sales!
Apply Keyword Phrases
As we covered in the first post of this series on Etsy tips, selecting the proper keywords for your listing is essential to being found on Etsy. Tags are only used by shoppers searching on Etsy, and they are critical for every listing. Since Etsy’s change to a “relevancy” search default instead of “recency,” two- and three-word phrases now have more weight than ever before when used as keyword tags. It’s still a good idea to use single-word keyword tags in listings, but you also want to utilize longer phrases that draw shoppers in.
For SEO purposes, repeat the first three words of your item title in your tags (if all three words fit). Then use variations on those three words, along with other tags you have generated for the item.
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For example: My pin that’s titled “Raven Jewelry Pin, Black Brooch Crow Bird Acrylic for Halloween” would be tagged “raven jewelry pin,” “raven pin,” “raven jewelry,” “bird pin,” and so forth.
Use Every Tag Space
Think of every tag as a pathway into your shop, and leave none of the spaces blank. This includes the “Categories” section when you create a listing (the “What is it?” and “What type?” drop-down boxes at the top). These categories will become your first three tags, so choose them wisely. If the second or third categories do not have terms that apply to your item, those tag spaces will not be used.
In total, each item gets 16 spaces for keyword tags: three categories and 13 more you add below in the “Tags” section of the listing page. It’s also a good idea to periodically review your listings to check for blank spaces and unsuccessful tags that can be replaced. The “Materials” section (next to tags) is not used for search or SEO — it simply informs the buyer of the item’s components.
Include Trends and Holidays
When selecting keyword tags, always consider the time of year and current trends. Holiday tags are the perfect way to increase views and boost your chances of winding up on the Etsy blog, front page, or emails. The site even promotes upcoming holidays as a “Browse” category on the front page! Etsy also periodically releases a helpful blog post with the upcoming trends, holiday themes, and popular colors called the “Merchandising Desk.”
Two important seasonal events to use in tags are the winter “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” sales. Utilize the phrases that Etsy chooses (and announces in the forums each year) to draw in thrifty shoppers looking for a deal. Big shopping days in the U.S. are a perfect time to put those keyword tags to use! But when the holiday or event is over, make sure to go back and replace those tags.
For example: A product that is perfect to market seasonally is my Orange Raven Necklace (pictured above). The Halloween holiday title is “Halloween Jewelry Bird Necklace, Orange Raven Costume,” so I would use the keyword tags “Halloween jewelry,” “Halloween necklace,” “Halloween costume,” “gothic jewelry,” etc.
Consider Other Countries
Etsy is a global marketplace, so it pays to devote some of your tags to other spellings, languages, and regional terms. Include alternate spellings of words such as “jewelry” (US) and “jewellery” (UK), along with holidays in other parts of the world (Boxing Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, etc.). If your products fit a certain international theme, consider using words in other languages as tags (creators of skeleton art could use the Spanish phrase “Día de los Muertos,” etc.). These international Etsy tips are most effective when an item really fits the subject or holiday, so use them carefully.
Picking the right keyword tags using these Etsy tips is a quick and efficient way to drive traffic to your Etsy shop. The results will speak for themselves!
Rebecca George is a certified Etsy educator and owner of women's fashion and accessory company Purple and Lime.
