How to Master Etsy Keyword Research: A Seller's Guide

The Art and Science of Etsy Keyword Research
Keyword research is the most important skill you can learn as an Etsy seller. It's the process of understanding the language your customers use to search for products like yours. When you master keyword research, you can get your products in front of more buyers, increase your sales, and grow your business.
In this guide, we'll take you through the entire keyword research process, from brainstorming initial ideas to analyzing your competitors. We'll also show you how to use our free Etsy Keyword Research Tool to make the process faster and easier.
Why Keyword Research is the Key to Etsy Success
- Get Found in Search: The right keywords will help you rank higher in Etsy's search results, so more buyers will see your products.
- Attract Your Ideal Customer: By targeting the right keywords, you can attract shoppers who are actively looking for what you sell.
- Stay Ahead of the Competition: Keyword research can help you find untapped niches and keywords that your competitors are overlooking.
The Keyword Research Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Brainstorming - Planting the Seeds of Your Strategy
The first step in the keyword research process is to brainstorm a list of "seed" keywords. These are broad, one- or two-word terms that describe your products. For example, if you sell handmade pottery, your seed keywords might include:
- "pottery"
- "ceramics"
- "mug"
- "bowl"
- "planter"
Don't overthink this step. Just write down as many ideas as you can.
Step 2: Expanding Your List with a Keyword Research Tool
Once you have your list of seed keywords, it's time to expand it. Our free Etsy Keyword Research Tool can help you find hundreds of related keywords, including long-tail keywords.
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that buyers use when they're closer to making a purchase. For example, instead of "mug," a long-tail keyword might be "handmade ceramic mug with a blue glaze." These keywords often have lower competition and higher conversion rates than seed keywords.
Step 3: Analyzing Your Keywords - Finding the Goldilocks Zone
Now that you have a long list of keywords, it's time to analyze them and find the ones that are just right for your business. Here's what you should look for:
- High Search Volume: You want to target keywords that a lot of people are searching for.
- Low Competition: You'll have a better chance of ranking for keywords that have less competition.
- High Relevance: The keywords you choose should be highly relevant to your products.
Our Etsy Keyword Research Tool will show you the search volume and competition for each keyword, so you can easily find the ones that are in the "Goldilocks zone."
Step 4: Spying on Your Competitors - Learning from the Best
One of the best ways to find new keywords is to see what your competitors are using. Our Etsy Shop Analyzer lets you see the tags that any shop on Etsy is using. Simply enter the URL of a competitor's shop, and we'll show you a list of their tags.
Putting Your Keywords to Work
Once you've chosen your keywords, it's time to put them to work in your listings. Here's where you should use them:
- Titles: Include your most important keyword at the beginning of your title.
- Tags: Use all 13 tags and include a mix of broad and long-tail keywords.
- Descriptions: Use your keywords naturally throughout your description.
- Attributes: Fill out all of the relevant attributes for your listing.
Conclusion
Keyword research is an ongoing process, but it's one that will pay dividends in the long run. By taking the time to find the right keywords for your products, you can get your listings in front of more buyers, increase your sales, and build a thriving business on Etsy.