#TEE 023 The Ultimate Guide to Etsy SEO: Everything You Need To Know

Read time: 5 minutes

SEO (search engine optimization) is crucial for any online business to get found and drive traffic to their site or listings. With over 60 million active buyers searching and purchasing on Etsy, having an effective SEO strategy is key to getting your Etsy shop seen.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about Etsy SEO in 2023 to boost your visibility and sales.

Do You Need SEO for Etsy?

The short answer - yes, absolutely! With over 60 million searches on Etsy per day, you need to show up when buyers are searching for what you sell.

SEO helps your Etsy listings appear higher in search results so more potential customers can find you. The higher up and more frequently your shop and products appear, the more traffic and sales you’ll drive.

Without SEO, it’s extremely difficult for buyers to even know your shop exists amongst the millions of active Etsy sellers. SEO is what helps your target customers find you.

What is the Etsy SEO Algorithm in 2023?

Etsy uses its own proprietary search algorithm to determine ranking and which listings appear for different keyword searches. The exact formula is a secret, but we know some key factors the algorithm considers:

• Title optimization
• Tag optimization
• Shop location
• Number and quality of product reviews
• Shop stats like sales, favourites, conversion rate
• How frequently listings are renewed
• On-page SEO best practices

So focusing efforts on these areas that signal to Etsy your products and shop are a good fit for buyer searches can improve your rankings.

How Long Does it Take for Etsy SEO to Kick In?

Depending on how much optimization you need to do, it can take from 2 weeks to 3 months to start seeing results from SEO efforts. Listings that already have good SEO may see faster ranking improvements compared to those needing more significant optimization.

Be patient and focus on continually improving all on-page and off-page SEO factors within your control. Over time, your efforts will be rewarded as search traffic and rankings increase.

How Do I Know if Etsy SEO is Working?

Here are some key metrics to track:

• Search ranking position improvements for target keywords
• Increase in traffic from Etsy search
• More conversions and sales from Etsy search traffic
• Improvement in click-through-rate (CTR) from search
• Increased number of favourites and “admirers”
• Using Etsy’s Seller Dashboard, Google Analytics, and SEO tools like Moz can help you measure SEO success.

How Do You Rank Fast on Etsy?

Here are 5 tips for improving your Etsy search rankings quickly:

• Optimize your titles and tags using keyword research. These are heavily weighted!
• Renew your listings frequently - Etsy favours this.
• Run promotions and sales to increase favourites and admirers fast.
• Ask buyers for reviews. More reviews signals a quality shop.
• Create share-worthy product imagery and descriptions.

Focus on all the ranking factors within your control and remain diligent. With time and effort, you can absolutely rank faster.

How Do I Find the Best Keywords for My Etsy Shop?

Keyword research is key for identifying high-traffic, low competition terms that align with your products. Here are some tips:

• Use Etsy’s search tool to find related keywords.
• Use Google's keyword planner for keyword ideas. Look at monthly searches.
• Analyse competitors' tags and titles for inspiration.
• Brainstorm keywords that describe your items.
• Use long-tail variations like "boho macrame wall hanging" vs just "wall hanging".
• Look for keywords with adequate search volume but low competition.

What Tags Should I Use on Etsy?

Tags are essentially keywords, so optimizing them is crucial for discovery. Follow these best practices:

• Include your most important, high-traffic keywords in tags.
• Use all 13 tags available for each listing.
• Use a mix of short and long-tail tag variations.
• Include product attributes like materials, colors, styles.
• Re-tag old listings if adding new keywords.
• Delete irrelevant tags that don't describe the item.
• Separate tag phrases with commas, not spaces.
• Optimized tags are vital for ranking in Etsy search, so take the time to get them right.

How Can I Improve My Etsy SEO?

To summarize, focus on these areas to level up your Etsy SEO:

• Keyword optimized titles and tags
• Renew listings frequently
• Create share-worthy listings
• Get more reviews
• Analyse your metrics in Seller Dashboard
• Improve click-through-rates
• Run promotions to increase engagement

Etsy SEO is an ongoing process, but stay diligent and use these tips to boost your rankings. With time, your shop will gain visibility and your hard work will pay off!

Conclusion

With the right SEO strategy, any Etsy seller can improve their discoverability and sales. Optimizing your titles, tags, listings, and profile for Etsy's search algorithm is well worth the effort.

Check out my digital course "How To Optimise SEO For Etsy Sellers" for mastering Etsy SEO in 2023 and beyond. The more consistent you can be with these best practices, the higher your shop will ultimately rank.

What aspect of SEO are you going to focus on first? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Selling!

SJ xoxo

If you're still looking for traction in your Etsy business, I'd recommend starting with one of the following:

1. → My Free Etsy Workshop: Perfect for you if you are just starting out on Etsy. Learn how you can turn your creative passions into cash to earn your first £1000 on Etsy.

2. → Join my Free Community: Successful Etsy Entrepreneurs is a Facebook community filled with creative people just like yourself all looking to grow their inline businesses.

3. → Join my VIP Members: Successful Ecommerce Entrepreneurs for only £27 a month.  With my expert guidance and actionable strategies in my private membership, you'll gain the skills and knowledge you need to build a profitable and sustainable online business.