The #1 Way to Fix Your Etsy SEO

The Ultimate Guide to Fix Common Etsy SEO Mistakes and Boost Your Sales

In today’s post, I’m going to reveal the #1 biggest mistake Etsy SEO I see most Etsy sellers making, even those who have been on Etsy for 10+ years. Plus, I’ll give you exact examples of how to fix this problem TODAY in your own SEO, tailored to what you’re selling.

The BIGGEST Etsy SEO mistake? Using titles only to describe the item itself and not its purpose.

When Etsy sellers focus solely on their products and less on their customers, they tend to think product-first when it comes to SEO. They describe the item’s specifics – its size, scent, color, material, and exact words written on it – rather than the solution it provides for the customer. Customers are often searching for solutions, not specific product parameters. They’re looking for a Father’s Day gift, not a 16 oz candle.

Let’s break down how this issue plays out for different types of products: handmade items, print-on-demand (POD), and digital products.

Handmade Items

Example: SUMPTUOUS Realistic Dessert Scented Candles: You Choose Scent

Link to Product

Problem: Who on earth is typing in “Sumptuous”? It’s the most valuable real estate, and only 2% of people probably know how to spell that. Plus, the colon breaks up the SEO.

Solution: Think about the product + purpose + utility. For example:

• Dessert Candle Custom Scent Candle for Gift Box for Friend Candle Gift
• Duplicate listing and call it:
  • Scented Candle Gift for Wedding Party Favor Dessert Lover Gift Candle Custom

Prints/Paintings

Example: Shifting Light | Vertical Landscape Canvas Print, Wildflower Painting, Impressionist Art Print

Link to Product

Problem: Who would search “Shifting Light” to find this painting? This means something to the artist but not to the customer. The breaks and commas cut out 50% of the potential search results this listing could show up for.

Solution: Think about the product + purpose + utility. For example:

• Abstract Greenery Painting Floral Wall Art Greenery Wall Art Wildflower Wall Decor Wildflower Art Wildflower Nursery Decor
• Duplicate listing and call it:
  • Greenery Wall Art for Living Room Wildflower Painting Impressionist Art Green Entry Way Wall Decor

Print-On-Demand (POD)

Example: Don’t Stop Retrievin – T-shirt for golden retriever lovers – soft women’s t-shirt – dog illustration printed on subtle distress Version 2

Link to Product

Problem: Who would type in “don’t stop retrievin”? The dashes between words break things up, cutting out 50% of the keywords. No one will type “dog illustration printed on subtle distress version 2”.

Solution: Think about the product + purpose + utility. For example:

• Golden Retriever Shirt Golden Retriever Lover T-shirt for Golden Retriever Owner Retriever Dog Shirt for Dog Lover
• Duplicate listing and call it:
  • Golden Retriever Gift for Her Golden Retriever Mom Shirt for Golden Retriever T-shirt I Love Golden Retriever

Another Common POD Example

Example: The Master is here now, The Master Is here, Boss, T-Shirts for Him, T-Shirts for You, Gifts for Him, Gifts for You, Unisex T-Shirt

Link to Product

Problem: No one is searching “The Master is Here Now” in Etsy search. Also, no one is typing “boss” or “t-shirts for you”.

Solution: Think about the product + purpose + utility. For example:

• Funny T-Shirt for Boss Funny Shirt Funny Boss Gift for Employer Funny Gift for Boss T-shirt
• Duplicate listing and call it:
  • Funny Gift for Boss Funny T-shirt for Boss New Boss Gift for Him Funny Workplace Shirt Funny

Repackaging Your SEO

As you can see, with all of these examples, we are “repackaging” our SEO to be more purpose/utility-focused and aligned with the words customers actually search for.

Bonus Tip: How Customers Search

Customers often search using adjectives and specific details after the main noun. Many sellers put specific adjectives at the front because they’re so immersed in their product. However, customers type in a way that is general → specific → specific, not specific → specific → general.

FAQ

Q1: How can I find the right keywords for my Etsy titles? A1: Start by thinking like a customer. Use Etsy’s search bar to see suggested phrases and explore keyword tools like Marmalead or eRank to find high-traffic, relevant keywords.

Q2: Should I duplicate all my listings with different titles? A2: It’s a good strategy to test different titles for the same product to see what works best. Ensure the duplicates are slightly varied in photos or descriptions to avoid Etsy’s duplicate content penalties.

Q3: How often should I update my Etsy SEO? A3: Regularly review and update your SEO, especially if your products aren’t performing well. Trends change, and what worked last year might not work now. Aim for a quarterly review to stay ahead.

By focusing on the purpose and utility of your products, you can create more effective Etsy SEO and ultimately attract more customers. Happy selling!