Best Etsy Keywords: Research Top Search Terms in Your Niche

Finding the best keywords to optimize your Etsy listings is crucial for driving targeted traffic and sales. With over 60 million active buyers searching Etsy every day, ranking for top Etsy search terms provides massive opportunity to connect your handmade and vintage goods with eager purchasers.

This comprehensive guide reveals tips for researching high-value Etsy keywords tailored to your niche. Follow these steps to identify your ideal search terms and integrate them into SEO-optimized Etsy listings.

Why Keyword Optimization Matters on Etsy

With millions of active listings on Etsy, buyers rely heavily on search to discover unique items in their category of interest. Standing out requires identifying the main keywords and phrases people enter into Etsy’s search bar when looking for the type of product you sell.

Optimizing your titles, tags and descriptions for those targeted terms is how you ensure your listings appear prominently in search results. Ranking on the first page for popular searches drives visibility and clicks.

Research from Etsy confirms the power of keywords:

• Listings using relevant keywords in titles get over two times more favorites than non-optimized titles.
• Keyword-optimized listings generate around 55% more clicks.
• Those extra clicks translate into almost 80% more orders.

So putting in the effort to do rigorous keyword research and integrate the best terms pays off exponentially. It’s one of the most valuable investments of time you can make for Etsy shop success.

A Strategic Approach to Etsy Keyword Research

Many sellers make the mistake of trying to rank for every imaginable search that’s even loosely related to their products. That scattershot approach rarely succeeds.

A more strategic process involves:

Identifying Your Core Product Pillars

What are the essential types of items your shop specializes in? Get super focused. For example, a jewelry shop might highlight rings, necklaces and bracelets.

Generating Specific Keyword Variations

Brainstorm all the search permutations around each key product vertical. For jewelry, that could include things like:

• Rings: engagement rings, mood rings, personalized rings, mens rings, etc.
• Necklaces: choker necklaces, crystal necklaces, gold necklaces, lariat necklaces, etc.
• Bracelets: beaded bracelets, leather bracelets, charm bracelets, macrame bracelets, etc.

Researching Keyword Search Volume

Use Etsy’s Keyword Explorer and other tools to quantify monthly searches for each term, identifying high volume keywords.

Analyzing Keyword Competition

Assess how saturated top keywords are by checking competing listings when searching manually. Pursue less competitive terms first.

Expanding Keyword Scope Strategically

Bolster main keywords with secondary product-related terms and modifiers to increase rankings and discovery.

Meticulously compiling keywords, assessing search volume, evaluating competitiveness, and expanding into semantic keyword clusters delivers the most relevant high-value terms to target.

Anatomy of Perfect Primary Etsy Keywords

Every Etsy listing should be optimized for a single primary keyword that concisely defines the essence of the specific product for sale.

These core keywords will be:

Specific

Generic terms return too many unrelated results. You want specificity to attract the most ideal searchers. For example, “velvet pillow” is better than just “pillow”.

Relevant

Ensure the keyword aligns closely with your actual product. Don’t try ranking for inaccurate terms that will disappoint searchers. Relevance improves click through rate.

High Search Volume

Prioritize keywords indicators show lots of Etsy shoppers are actually searching for each month. This guarantees opportunity to capture buyer interest.

Low Competition

Avoid ultra competitive keywords inundated with listings from saturated product niches. You’re better off ranking well for a less common term than disappearing among thousands of competing products.

Product-Focused

The keyword should describe the physical item itself. Search intent matters. Terms like “handmade gift” are less likely to convert than “crocheted stuffed elephant”.

Natural

Opt for conversational keywords people use in everyday product searches. Avoid forced over-optimization with awkward or excessive keywords.

Finding that ideal primary Etsy keyword is the first step in crafting listings optimized to rank and convert.

Tools to Discover Best Etsy Keywords

Etsy provides excellent built-in tools for researching popular keyword searches on the marketplace. But also leverage external keyword research platforms for expanded insights.

Etsy Search Bar

The easiest way to directly see top Etsy searches is simply searching yourself. The dropdown will auto-populate with current popular and trending terms. Take note.

Etsy Keyword Explorer

This dedicated tool reports monthly search volume for single keywords as well as related long tail variations. Filter by category for niche relevancy.

ERank

ERank analyzes millions of Etsy data points to generate keyword suggestions, improve listings, and track shop performance. The free plan provides robust keyword research.

Google Keyword Planner

Although not Etsy-specific, Google’s keyword data helps gauge wider search interest and discover expanded semantics.

Google Trends

See keyword search patterns over time, category data, and geographic interest. Helpful for identifying trends and seasonality.

AnswerThePublic

This visualization tool compiles keyword variations and semantically related questions people ask about topics. Powerful for sparking keyword ideas.

Etsy Forums

Member discussions often mention best-selling products and popular searches. Research threads related to your niche.

With data-backed input from these key tools, you’ll have all the keyword direction needed to know which terms to target in listings.

Crafting Keyword-Optimized Etsy Listing Titles

The first place to carefully optimize with your primary keyword is the Etsy listing title. This is the biggest factor determining search visibility.

Some tips for keyword title optimization:

• Place your chosen main keyword at the beginning of the title. Get it up front.
• Include key product identifiers like material, color, style, etc. that make the title more compelling.
• Use commas to separate modifiers so the title flows naturally when read in search results.
• Add your shop name at the end for branding.
• Keep titles under 60 characters so they don’t get cut off in search results.
• Use numerals for numbers rather than spelling them out. This condenses character space.
• Capitalize major words for scannability but keep most lowercase for readability.
• Use alliteration, emotional keywords, or compelling adjectives when possible to enhance appeal.

Crafting the perfectly optimized title with main keyword first prioritizes search visibility from the most important element.

Choosing High-Potential Etsy Keywords for Tags

Etsy allows shops to assign up to 13 tags to each listing. These secondary keywords expand discovery potential.

Choose tag terms that:

Expand semantics – Related keywords like lace wedding veil, cathedral veil, mantilla veil

Broaden product scope – beret hat, fedora hat, wide-brim hat

Describe key attributes – beaded, sequin, floral, silk, cotton

Define product purpose – birthday gift, bridesmaid gift, housewarming gift

Cover related categories – necklace, bracelet, ring, jewelry

Highlight your differentiators – sustainable, ethically made, small batch, limited edition, hand painted

Tags give additional context that helps searchers find your listings for multiple product angles. Use the full 13 for optimal visibility.

Long Tail Keywords for Etsy SEO

Long tail keywords are longer, more detailed multi-word phrases, like “personalized guitar pick necklace”.

These help target hyper-specific searcher intents. Optimizing with long tails provides opportunities to rank for less competitive searches.

Some tips:

• Only use long tails that include your singular core keyword so they directly amplify your central focus.
• Look at search autocomplete suggestions to see popular variations.
• Check Etsy Keyword Explorer and Google Keyword Planner for long tail search volumes.
• Assess if each long tail convert well based on your actual product specs. Generic ones are less useful.
• Sprinkled 1-2 long tails into your 13 tags for added specificity. Don’t only use generic single words here.

Long tail Etsy keywords refine your visibility for nuanced product searches, expanding relevancy.

Enhancing Keyword Density in Etsy Descriptions

Your item description provides additional space to incorporate keywords and phrases to bolster SEO. Take advantage of this.

Some key tips:

• Naturally work your primary keyword into the first sentence. Hook searchers immediately.
• Mention complementary keywords and long tails in the description body.
• Don’t just repeat the same keyword over and over. Vary them within copy.
• Include keywords in phrases and complete sentences. Avoid awkward disjointed lists.
• Use keywords to headers and sections (Materials, Occasions, Features) to break up text.
• Share keywords in context of product features, benefits and uses.
• Point out keywords that differentiate you like handmade, small-batch, sustainable, etc.
• Don’t over-stuff. Keyword density should flow at 2-3% naturally in good copy.

With the right keyword integration, descriptions reinforce semantics and give buyers critical details they want to see.

Competitor Keyword Analysis on Etsy

Research how competitors optimize listings for ideas on widely used keywords in your niche.

Search Etsy for your main product keyword and inspect the top 10 listings.

• Compile their common title and tag keywords.
• See which differentiate with long tail specifics.
• Note how prominently they highlight features like handmade, ready to ship, etc.
• Check how they incorporate keywords within descriptions.
• Assess the types of synonym keywords they target.

Then look for keyword opportunities competitors are missing based on your product’s unique strengths and special aspects they lack.

Keyword Optimization for Etsy Listing Images

Imagery plays a key role in search on Etsy. Optimizing listings visually provides another opportunity to reinforce your keywords.

Some tips:

File Names

Include your primary and secondary keywords within image filenames. For example, boho-fringed-suede-handbag.jpg

Alt Text

The alt text that displays when hovering over images offers more keyword real estate. Match to titles.

Text Overlays

Subtle text overlays with phrases reinforcing your keywords can look stylish.

Visual Connections

Style product photos to tie to keywords through props and context. A mini pie on a pie dish supports “personal pie dish” as a keyword.

Bold Keywords

Work title and price graphics prominently into the first photo. Highlight keywords here.

Consistency

Keep photos cohesive with each other to maintain keyword themes visually across all listing images.

With strategic optimization, Etsy listing images bolster search visibility.

Measure Keyword Performance in Etsy Listings

Once you’ve optimized existing and new Etsy listings for target keywords, track performance in your shop stats and Etsy SEO tool.

Identify:

• Which listings appear high in search results for your keywords
• Keyword conversions to favorites and sales
• Click-through rate from search results
• Conversion rate from favorites to purchases
• Review relevance of keywords driving low-converting traffic

Gather keyword insights, then refine and expand terms for better performance. Eliminate low-value keywords dragging down conversions.

Double down on keywords delivering results through increased visibility across titles, tags, and descriptions.

Promote Keywords Beyond Etsy Listings

Your keyword strategy should also encompass:

Social media – Include related hashtags and keywords in social posts when promoting products and sales.

Instagram – Optimize captions and use smart hashtags.

Pinterest – Tailor pin descriptions for keywords, but avoid repetitive lists.

Email newsletters – Feature different products in each edition tying into diverse keywords.

Blogging – Write posts highlighting products and backstory centered around keyword themes.

Video – Demonstrate products in action saying keyword phrases.

This expands your keyword reach across channels, while providing added value content for engaged followers.

Group Product Listings by Keyword Themes

Curate listings into distinguishable sections cross-linking products related to the same keywords.

For example, a bakery could have:

• Wedding cakes
• Birthday cakes
• Cookies
• Pies
• Classes

This allows you to deep-link category pages in menus, highlight whole sections in promotions, and build internal search filters around keywords.

Make it seamless to navigate your shop by keywords and themes.

Refresh Keywords Regularly

Search trends change over time. Revisit your target Etsy keywords each quarter to see if any new terms are surging or existing ones declining.

Keyword optimization should evolve continually as you expand your shop’s offerings and capabilities.

Treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Consistently refine keywords and you’ll consistently attract more high-intent Etsy search traffic.

Conclusion

Keyword optimization is a cornerstone of Etsy SEO and driving qualified traffic. By pinpointing the top terms buyers use to find your types of products, you can engineer listings to rank prominently in search results.

Comprehensive keyword research, competitor analysis, and conversion tracking allows you to focus time on the keywords delivering the most tangible results.

What has helped you uncover your shop’s most profitable Etsy keywords over time? Share your top tips in the comments!