Etsy Tags: How to Choose the Best Keywords for Your Listings
If your Etsy titles are the storefront sign that draws customers in, your tags are the aisles and labels that guide them directly to your product. Tags are one of the most powerful tools you have for improving your Etsy SEO, yet they are often misunderstood and underutilized.
This guide will demystify Etsy tags, showing you exactly how to choose the best keywords to dramatically increase your listing's visibility.
What Are Etsy Tags and Why Do They Matter?
Etsy tags are short phrases (up to 20 characters) that you add to your listings to describe what they are. You can add up to 13 tags per listing.
When a buyer enters a search query, Etsy's algorithm matches the query to the keywords in your titles, attributes, categories, and—most importantly—your tags. Each tag is another opportunity for your product to be found. The more relevant and specific your tags are, the higher your chances of appearing in front of the right buyers.
How to Research the Best Tags for Your Listings
Great tags aren't just guessed; they're researched. Here’s how to find keywords that will bring you traffic.
1. Think Like Your Customer
Before you use any tool, put yourself in your customer's shoes. What words and phrases would they use to search for your product? Brainstorm a list of potential search terms, considering:
- Materials:
14k gold,linen fabric - Style:
minimalist jewelry,boho wall decor - Occasion:
first anniversary gift,stocking stuffer - Recipient:
gift for him,new mom gift
2. Use Etsy's Search Bar
Start typing your ideas into the Etsy search bar. The autocomplete suggestions that appear are real, popular searches from other buyers. This is a free and powerful way to find relevant long-tail keywords.
3. Use a Keyword Research Tool
Specialized tools like the Rankista Keyword Tool can give you data on search volume, competition, and related keywords, taking the guesswork out of the process.
Effective vs. Weak Tags: Examples
The key to effective tagging is to be specific and use multi-word phrases, also known as long-tail keywords.
| Product Example | Weak Tags ❌ | Effective Tags ✅ |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| A Leather Wallet | wallet, leather, gift, men | personalized wallet, engraved men's gift, leather bifold, groomsmen gift idea |
| A Ceramic Mug | mug, cup, pottery, coffee | handmade ceramic mug, pottery coffee cup, large speckled mug, gift for tea lover |
| A Nursery Wall Print| art, print, nursery, decor | woodland nursery art, gender neutral decor, baby animal prints, boho nursery wall art |
As you can see, effective tags are descriptive and mirror the language a real shopper would use.
Top Tools for Etsy Tag Research
Here are some of the best tools to help you find high-performing tags:
- Rankista Tag Generator: Our tool is designed to help you find relevant and effective tags quickly. It provides suggestions based on top-performing listings, helping you optimize your tags with proven keywords.
- Etsy Search Bar: As mentioned, this is the most basic and accessible tool. It's a great starting point for any keyword research.
- Marmalead: A popular, subscription-based tool that provides in-depth analytics on keyword search volume, engagement, and competition. It's excellent for serious sellers who want to dive deep into data.
- eRank: Another widely-used tool that offers both free and paid plans. eRank helps you analyze your listings, spy on competitors, and find keyword ideas. The free version is quite powerful on its own.
- Google Trends: While not Etsy-specific, Google Trends can help you understand the seasonality and popularity of search terms over time, which can be useful for planning your inventory and marketing.
By investing a little time in researching and optimizing your tags, you create more pathways for buyers to find your products. Treat your 13 tags as 13 valuable pieces of real estate, and make each one count.
