My Top Etsy SEO Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve been selling on Etsy for over 7 years and have grown my shop to over $1.4 million in revenue and $1 million in profit. I have learned a lot in the 7 years I’ve had my shop! Here is the biggest SEO mistake I see Etsy sellers making and how you can fix it.

Focus Your Titles on Purpose, Not Just Products

The #1 SEO issue I see is sellers using titles just to describe the product itself, not its purpose or utility for customers. We get so focused on specifics like color, size, materials that we forget customers search for solutions.

Someone isn’t searching for “sumptuous” or “10mm walnut stained”—they want a gift for dad or wedding favors. I think product-first as a seller, but customers have a different mindset. Avoid getting caught in the product details trap.

Optimize for Customer Search Intent

Customers search differently than we sellers think. They look for solutions, not just product parameters. This differs from eBay, where search is more specifics-driven. On Etsy, lean into the purpose and utility of your items in titles.

For example, with handmade candles, I’d use “custom scent candle gift for friend” not “sumptuous realistic dessert scented candle.” Capture long tail keywords like custom scent, candle gift, gift for friend.

Double Your Keywords with Duplicate Listings

Duplicate the listing with a new main image and whole new title/keywords. Now I also rank for “scented candle gift for wedding” and related terms. This easily doubles the keywords you target.

I do the same with art prints, using titles like “floral wall art” and “wildflower painting.” I skip overly descriptive terms only the artist would use. Focus on decoration, wall art, gifts—the customer intent.

Go Long Tail with Print-on-Demand

Print-on-demand SEO is ultra competitive, so you need to be strategic with keywords. Don’t use cutesy phrases like “don’t stop retrieving” that no one searches. Use specifics like “golden retriever shirt” instead.

Avoid repetition and unnecessary pluralization. Include variations like “t-shirt” and “t shirt” without the dash. Duplicate with new keywords like “golden retriever gift for mom.” Capture all related long tail searches.

Think General to Specific Keyword Ordering

Customers typically search general to specific, like “wedding dress boho lace.” But sellers default to specific to general ordering, like “lace boho wedding dress.” Match customer search behavior.

Another example is “nursery bedding minimalist neutral” vs “neutral minimalist nursery bedding.” Lead with the nouns, follow with descriptive keywords. This small change can boost search visibility.

Optimizing your SEO is an ongoing process, but avoiding these common pitfalls can really level up your Etsy shop’s visibility. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some examples of good SEO titles?

Some examples of effective SEO Etsy titles are “customizable family portrait digital download”, “boho bracelet stack set of 3 for women”, and “abstract mountain landscape painting for bedroom wall art decor”.

2. Should I use duplicate listings for all my products?

I recommend using duplicate listings selectively for items where you can come up with a completely new title and image. Avoid duplicating everything or it may seem spammy.

3. How often should I update my Etsy SEO?

Aim to fully audit and optimize your SEO at least 2-3 times per year. But updating underperforming listings as you go is helpful too. SEO is always changing so stay on top of improving it.

Check out how my students have succeeded with the specific SEO tips for their shops as a part of the Multi-Six Figure Etsy Blueprint program!