Have you ever been stumped on how to appropriately employ Etsy tags for your store? Do you want to know what they are or why they benefit your business? This blog article is ideal for you if that’s the case.
We’ll review what Etsy tags are and give examples of popular ones that may be utilized on your own Etsy page.
You’ll learn about popular Etsy tags and the techniques of other successful sellers.
The keywords you choose in your Etsy tags, titles, categories, and attributes work together to match your items with consumer searches. When a search query is matched to a keyword, your products have the potential to show in search results.
Table of Contents
Let’s start by defining what Etsy tags aren’t.
Tags are not keywords. (As promised in my previous post about keywords, I’ll discuss them further in a follow-up article soon!) Keywords are the words that customers use to search on Etsy.
Tags are not for the customer. Your Etsy listing’s metadata, which includes tags, will include your title and keywords. Tags are simply there to inform the Etsy search engine what your product is.
Etsy tags are the words we use in a tag field to tell Etsy what our product is.
Tags and keywords are frequently confused as synonymous, even though they aren’t. Perhaps some of the misunderstandings stem from the fact that search engines give more value to tags that contain the keyword exactly – when they have the exact same words in the same order.
Let’s assume that when a shopper types in Etsy search canvas tote bag, the search engine displays two listings that are precisely the same. The listing with a canvas tote bag word-for-word in a tag is more likely to rank higher than the one with a canvas tote bag in a tag if the search engine discovered two similar listings.
But both will “rank” (appear in search results) because Etsy’s algorithm can cherry-pick. It can pick out words from your tags, title, attributes, and subcategories you specified before combining them to match a shopper’s keyword.
As a result, a shopper looking for a canvas bag will match a product with the term “canvas tote” and the tag “messenger bag.”
An Etsy tag is a word or short phrase that describes your item. To provide relevant results, Etsy matches tags with customers’ searches.
Improve the visibility of your products on Etsy by adding your Etsy tags while listing them!
- You may add up to 13 tags per item listing. A single tag might be a brief descriptive phrase (for example, “silver earrings”).
- Make sure your ads only contain accurate and relevant terms.
To add or change the tags to an existing Etsy listing:
Step#1: Go shopping Manager > Listings and choose the goods you want to change.
Step#2: Select Edit from the drop-down menu of an item’s gear icon.
Step#3: Scroll down to the bottom of the listing details on the listing page and click Tags.
Step#4: Add any Etsy tags relevant to your product!
Your chance to include 13 terms that describe your unique product is provided by tags. Each tag you include has the potential to be discovered by a consumer during their search, so deploy them liberally and provide some variety! Here are some Etsy Tag’s dos and don’ts:
- Do use all 13 tags. Each tag you add is a potential match for a shopper’s search.
- A tag is a sequence of characters used to identify products on your Etsy store. Your Etsy tags can contain up to 20 characters. Do use multi-word phrases. Instead of using single words, it’s preferable to use many terms. For example, “custom bracelet” is more powerful than “custom.” And by eliminating the term “Custom” from the description of your product, you save another one.
- Do consult your Shop Stats. Update the tags on low-traffic listings to diversify your keywords and refresh outdated ones.
- Do consider synonyms and regional phrases. We’ll still show listings labeled “Jewellery” to shoppers who use regional dialects like jewelry in their search. We don’t take regional terms into account, though. If you sell flip-flops and many of your clients are in Australia looking for “thong sandals,” you should add “thong sandals” to your tags.
- Do target long tail keywords. Instead of competing in crowded, generic searches like “tote bag” or “diamond ring,” choose less popular phrases that describe your products’ unique qualities. For example, “canvas tote bag” or “natural diamond ring.” Shoppers who are familiar with what they want to purchase tend to employ more precise searches – and you can provide precisely what they want.
Long-tail keywords are the descriptive, multi-word terms that would appear on the right side of the graph – the one that looks like a long tail. Although they are used less frequently than common phrases, they tend to convert better because they precisely describe what a customer is searching for.
- Dont repeat tags. Tags should be as distinctive as possible. For example, having tags such as “octopus art print” and “animal wall decor” will get that listing in front of more potential purchasers than simply “octopus art” and “octopus print.” We’ll go through some additional techniques for diversifying your tags below.
- Dont repeat categories and attributes. Categories and attributes you create are similar to tags in that if a specific phrase appears in them, you don’t need to add it as a tag. For example, if your item is in the Statement Ring category, you don’t have to add “statement ring” as a distinct tag.
- Dont include misspellings. If you search for “cute bunny” on Etsy, you’ll be rerouted to the relevant results if you make a typical error, so don’t try to misspell keywords on purpose to reach buyers who have made a minor typo.
- Dont add tags in multiple languages. When you create your shop, ensure the titles and tags you add are in the selected language. When we look for matches to your search query, we’ll translate what you type. You can have listings in several languages if you speak them all. If you want to translate your ad yourself, go right ahead. You may also include the title and tag translation as well.
- Don’t worry about plurals. When a consumer types in their search, we compare the terms they used to the roots of your product’s keywords. For example, a search for “diaries” would still be matched with products with the tag “diary” because they have the same root word.
How to Decide on Etsy tags
It’s critical to use all 13 tags and to incorporate some variation (as well as avoid similar phrases). Consider what makes your goods stand out and how buyers may search for them. You may need to get creative with 20 characters or fewer phrases. If the keyword phrase you desire to target is longer than 20 characters, you may still be able to match those searches by including multiple phrasal tags containing those words.
Let’s assume your target customer is seeking “minimalist diamond engagement rings,” which is a very descriptive search that goes well beyond 20 characters. Break the phrase into smaller phrasal chunks that a consumer may use in search, such as “minimalist jewelry” and “diamond ring.”
The following words are more descriptive than splitting up keywords into single words such as “minimalist” or “ring,” yet they include all the terms your target consumers might search for.
Descriptive tags that clearly and accurately describe your goods are a good place to start, but you can test many other sorts of tags.
#1: Descriptive
You can add tags to your listings describing the items you sell. Remember: Multi-word phrases are preferable to single descriptive words.
Example Etsy tags: a striped ceramic mug, 1920s cat brooch, set of four coasters, reusable straw pouch.
#2: Materials and techniques
You’re the expert on your product, so use tags to describe how it’s made or what makes it unique. If you sell personalized or customized items, ensure you include tag terms that include those words. Get detailed and tell us about the procedures or methods you employ.
Example Etsy Tags: Hammered cuff, custom embroidery, personalized tumbler, reclaimed wood frame.
#3: Who it’s for
Give folks who are shopping for a present some ideas with tags that describe whom the item is ideal for. Consider your target consumer and the person to whom the best gift would be given.
Examples: Gifts for boyfriend, gifts for new moms, gifts for newlyweds, teacher gift
#4: Shopping occasions
Consider how you would feel if you were shopping for a gift to commemorate one of life’s milestones. Consider yourself as a host attempting to make every occasion more memorable. What words would they search for that are relevant to your items?
A quick reminder: The occasion attribute is appropriate for anything related to a specific event, such as Christmas stockings or decorations. Adding occasion-based tags to your listings is one way to find consumers who are seeking things that would be suitable for an event but aren’t expressly made for it.
Examples: stocking stuffers, First anniversary, hen party, christening gifts, animal-themed party
#5: Solution-oriented
Maybe you have a product that helps solve certain problems for customers, making their life simpler or making them feel like a fantastic gift-giver/parent/friend. Imagine how a shopper seeking a solution to their issue (whether it’s a blank wall in their flat or a messy handbag) may search for it.
Examples: closet organization, lunch box decal, workout headbands, indoor garden
#6: Style
Personal taste influences a shopper’s purchasing decisions. We all want to believe that the items we buy show off our excellent judgment to the world. Use tags to define your products’ distinct style so that buyers looking for what you have can locate them.
Consider the time period, color scheme, or style that is most appropriate for your product and combine that with a phrase that describes it to make a multi-word phrasal tag.
Examples: minimalist ring, Art deco lamp, typographic print, rustic wall decor.
#7: Size
Some items, such as jewelry or precious metals, need special treatment. To appeal to customers searching for the perfect fit, try incorporating tags that describe the size and shape of your products.
Examples: large beach bag, Shallow basket, toddler trousers, tiny gold hoops
If you’re ready to try any of these methods in your store, there are a few things you may do right away.
You may update the tags on numerous listings at once by checking the box next to them in your Shop Manager, clicking the Editing option, and then selecting Edit tags from the dropdown menu.
You may also modify your titles and Etsy tags using the Quick Edit feature, which allows you to make modifications without visiting each listing.
This is the post for you if you’ve been racking your brain trying to put together all of the various bits and pieces of Etsy SEO advice that the internet offers to figure out what to do with your titles and tags.
- I’ll start by showing you 5 frequent mistakes made by Etsy sellers that may be seriously obstructing your items from being discovered in Etsy search.
- When you choose Etsy titles and tags, we’ll lay out a strategy for what to do instead, so you get the most exposure possible.
There’s a TON of bad information on the internet regarding Etsy SEO, and the Etsy algorithm is also always changing. So, for this reason, I think you should always check what you learn rather than blindly following a strategy that worked for ONE person in isolation and may not be correct for YOU.
Let’s start with mistake number 1:
The first mistake is so common that not only will people continue to advise you to perform it, but Etsy has also stated that it is a poor technique on multiple occasions.
It’s the idea that “Your tags and titles must correspond.” This is incorrect, and if you’re attempting to repeat all of your keywords in your titles and tags, you’ll be spending a lot of time.
Going to go crazy and
Going to kill your chances of getting found on Etsy
yet so many sellers do this.
The reason this blunder is made has to do with Etsy’s statement, which was taken out of context and misinterpreted by too many individuals:
The most descriptive and relevant keywords for your listings should appear in your titles and tags. – Etsy
There are 2 main reasons why repeating your tags in your title is a bad idea:
- It’s a missed opportunity to save room for additional keywords and phrases and improve your chances of being discovered. If you don’t repeat all your tags in your title, you have more room for additional keywords that wouldn’t “fit before.”
- You will end up doing what’s called keyword stuffing your titles, meaning they will look like they were written to trick the algorithm and written for a computer rather than for human beings.
Or in Etsy words:
Given that you have 13 spaces for tags for each listing, all of the keywords you use as tags dont necessarily need to appear in your title, too. A long title stuffed with a bunch of keywords might make it difficult for shoppers to quickly find the items that youre selling when they’re scanning search results. Instead of your title, think about prioritizing the most descriptive phrases and keywords.
Remember that you do not have to match all your tags to your title for them to be found, and you will STILL be discovered by searching for tags, attributes, and categories that aren’t included in your title. It’s time to look at mistake #2 now.
Forgetting that the features and categories you selected while creating your listing are used as tags is another simple blunder to make.
Regarding tags and titles, we usually only consider the 13 tags you can manually choose, but we overlook characteristics and categories.
That’s a huge missed opportunity.
This means you don’t need to repeat “stud earrings” as one of your 13 tags if you have an item listed under the category “stud earrings.” It’s already in there.
Not only that, but the parent categories of the sub-category “stud earrings” will also serve as tags for this item.
In this situation, “jewelry” and “earrings” will also function as tags for your listing; you don’t need to repeat them in your 13 tags.
The same may be said for characteristics. After you’ve chosen a category in your listing, Etsy provides you a variety of additional alternatives based on the category you picked that they will subsequently utilize to assist shoppers in narrowing down the options. These are things like size, material, color, and so on.
Each of these extra characteristics serves as a tag, so you don’t need to repeat them in your 13 tags. So if you’re using the term “silver,” you don’t need to use it again in your 13 tags.
Or in Etsy’s words:
The search uses your titles, tags, categories, and attributes when trying to match you to buyers, so when a buyer enters a query, we’re looking for all the keywords you’ve added across those four dimensions. Adding the same phrases that appear in your categories and attributes is a missed opportunity to add an additional tag that’s unique to the item youre selling.
#3: Repeating the same keyword in your title unnecessarily
Mistake #3 is the third mistake I’ve identified. It’s also one of the most prevalent mistakes, and it’s a major missed opportunity to use ADDITIONAL keywords and provide more variety to your search terms to be discovered by more people.
Imagine a title for a necklace that reads:
Sterling silver minimalist necklace, silver pine tree necklace, minimalist necklace, dainty silver pendant, minimalist tree necklace
Sounds good at first. However, there is a lot of redundancy in the material. Let’s pick out all of the keyword phrases that are repeated:
Sterling silver minimalist necklace, silver pine tree necklace, dainty silver pendant, and minimalist tree necklace.
The tags are most likely repeating those keywords as well…you could use this space to have more variety and experiment with different keywords like “nature lover,” “wanderlust,” or “mountain-inspired.”
Even if your title does not have these specific words in this precise order, you will still appear for “minimalist tree necklace.”
For example, you would still show up for it if your title was:
Sterling silver minimalist necklace, pine tree pendant because the words are there:
Sterling silver minimalist necklace, pine tree pendant.
Instead of repeating the same keyword repeatedly in your title (and tags!), try adding different ones to broaden your reach.
You don’t have to include the same keyphrase in all of your tags.
For example, you dont need to write:
Boho wall art, floral wall art, botanical wall art.
The keyword “wall art” does not need to be repeated three times.
Instead, you might broaden the number of ways to be discovered by using additional keywords such as:
Boho wall art botanical print floral home decor
#5: Misspellings and plurals
#5! I don’t see it as frequently anymore, but I felt it was worth noting since Etsy is intelligent and will correct spelling errors.
You don’t need to include misspellings, UK vs. US variations for terms like “jewelry,” “pluralize,” or plurals as tags and titles.
For example, if someone searches for “diaries” on Etsy, the site will display a product with the word “diary.” So don’t sweat it if you don’t have enough space to cover everything!
Other examples they give are:
- Favor and flavor
- Hat and Hats.
Don’t squander space by employing those “saved” characters to boost the number of keywords.
So now that we’ve gone over the most frequent blunders let’s move on to what you should do and how to think about your Etsy tags.
The Etsy search algorithm considers various elements to determine which items should appear first when someone types a few keywords into the search bar.
When it comes to selecting your Etsy Tags, the most crucial thing to consider is “RELEVANCE.”
When a consumer inputs keywords into the Etsy search bar, Etsy compares them to four items: your
- Titles
- Tags
- Categories
- Attributes
And then it asks itself: how relevant is this listing to this shoppers search?
The more closely your product’s name, tags, descriptions, and categories are aligned with what the consumer searched for, the more likely it is that it will show up higher in the search results due to its increased “relevance.”
Now, practically what does this mean?
To be exact or broadly signifies that your listing may match a customer’s search PERFECTLY or “BROADLY.”
Let’s look at an example:
Imagine your listing title is:
Black oversized jumper, organic cotton sweater, personalized hoodie sweatshirt
You can provide suggestions like this using the search engine Google (or another internet search engine). If someone searches for a “black oversized jumper,” you could offer them one.
This tells Etsy your listing is pretty relevant.
When someone searches for a “black oversized hoodie,” your ad will still appear because the words “black,” “oversized,” and “hoodie” all appear in your listing, but not an EXACT match.
It also means that if a different firm has a black oversized hoodie as a close match in their ad, the algorithm considers them more relevant. This doesn’t imply that your listing will appear first because there are different aspects to search ranking than “relevance,” but this is one of the things Etsy considers.
So why is this important?
Because, as we saw when examining the top 5 blunders, you can’t expect to be a PERFECT match for all of your keywords and phrases… One key reason we didn’t include him in the Top 10 BDRs is that repeating them would be excessive in your titles, tags, attributes, and categories. As we saw before, this is a lost opportunity to diversify your keywords and increase reach for your listings which is precisely what you’re attempting to do!
So instead:
- Choose one or two phrases to describe your item, which are the most relevant – those you’d want to be discovered under. Pick phrases that aren’t too broad or narrow.
- To achieve an exact match, strive for “exact matches” for those crucial phrases in your title and tags. These are your FOCUS KEYWORDS: keyword phrases that match your title and tags.
- Then, using the remainder of your title and tags to include multiple search terms/keywords increases the number of people who see your ad.
An Etsy tag is a word or brief phrase that categorizes your product on Etsy. Etsy uses tags to find relevant results for customers’ searches. To increase your goods’ visibility on Etsy, use your tags when advertising them! Each item listing can contain up to 13 distinct Etsy tags.
Using all of the 13 tags is critical, and you should include some variety (and avoid repeated words). Consider what makes your items stand out and how customers might look at them.
If you’re looking for 20 characters or fewer phrases, you may have to get creative. If the phrase you want to target is longer than 20 characters, adding many phrasal tags with those terms may still help you match those searches.
The keywords you use in your Etsy tags, titles, categories, and attributes collaborate to match your items with those of consumers’ searches. When a search query is matched, your goods have the potential to appear in the search results.
