This is Part 2 in our series to answer your questions from Etsy’s recent EtSEO Live Listing Critique Panel.
Wondering how Etsy ranks your shop in search? You’re not alone! During Etsy’s recent EtSEO Live Listing Critique Panel, sellers flooded the chat with questions about search ranking, how to craft listings, and how they should format keywords to please Etsy’s algorithm. Since Etsy couldn’t address them all, we’ve compiled key answers right here.
Today, we’re focusing on:
Tags
Tags
(Did we mention tags?)
Let’s dive in!
Understand One-Word vs Multi-Word Tags
Q1: Do you need to add both phrases and individual words to tags? For example “Halloween earrings” as well as “Halloween” and “earrings”?
Q2: If the tag is complex multi-word, will the SEO still pick up on a single word from that multi-word tag, or does it search for a tag as a whole unit only?
While every shop is unique, Etsy’s advice for creating tags remains the same. According to Keywords 101: Everything You Need to Know, Etsy recommends using multi-word phrases, synonyms, and long tail keywords within your tags. One-word tags should be avoided whenever possible, as those are a wasted opportunity to add in more specific niched-down keywords.
For the example in Q1, “Halloween earrings” as a tag is enough—you don’t need to separate it into “Halloween” and “earrings” as additional tags. Etsy’s search algorithm mixes and matches the words found in your titles, tags, and attributes, meaning it will still recognize individual words within a phrase. However, keeping them together provides an extra boost for exact-match searches.
⭐ If you’d like to understand more about how Etsy pairs search terms with listings, check out eRank’s blog post Broad versus Exact Keyword Matching on Etsy or Etsy’s How Etsy Search Works article.
Add Variety to Broaden Your Reach
Q3: Is it okay to use the same words in the title and tags? Or should you use different words for variety?
When crafting a listing, using your superstar keywords in both your title and tags can give Etsy stronger signals for keywords you want to rank for. It also gives you the opportunity to string multiple tags together so that you have a higher chance of exact matching for those keywords. Having a variety of words does cast a wider net for broad matching, but having your most important keywords repeated once in your title and once in your tags is our recommended best practice.
⭐ Not sure what superstar keywords are or how to find them? Read eRank’s The Importance of Superstar Keywords blog post.
Q4: What are effective ways to find relevant tags to add to your products? I’ve heard it’s important to use all 13 but the last 4-5 are often a stretch for me to come up with.
It is important to utilize all 13 tag spaces, as each one is an opportunity. In Etsy’s Keywords 101: Everything You Need to Know article, there is an entire section on brainstorming when trying to fill those last few tag spaces. Think about who this item could be a gift for, what potential spaces it could fill, or how someone can use it. (For example, a candle can be for a kitchen, but it also could be a “spa day accessory”).
⭐ If you’re facing writer’s block, use eRank’s Listing Helper tool for inspiration on titles, tags, and even descriptions for your listings.
Boost Your Etsy Visibility with Smart Tagging
Mastering Etsy tags is a powerful way to boost your shop’s visibility. By using multi-word phrases, incorporating superstar keywords, and balancing broad and exact match strategies, you’re setting your listings up for success.
Remember: Etsy’s search algorithm mixes and matches keywords from your title, tags, and attributes. This means every word you choose matters! Focus on relevant, specific, and strategic keywords to help shoppers find your products more easily.
Need more guidance? Join the conversation in the eRank Facebook Group, explore more Etsy SEO insights on the eRank Blog, or view helpful tutorials on eRank’s YouTube Channel.
If you would like to watch the replay of the EtSEO event here, you can access it here: “EtSEO” Live Listing Critique Panel: Optimize Your Shop for 2025.
