Optimizing SEO for Etsy in 2024

Etsy has become a bustling marketplace for creatives and entrepreneurs alike to showcase and sell their unique products. As we gear up for 2024, understanding and mastering Etsy's Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has never been more crucial for standing out in this crowded space. This comprehensive guide dives into the top 9 dos and don'ts of Etsy SEO, debunking common myths and providing strategic insights to elevate your shop's visibility.

1. Do Not Change SEO for a Performing Listing

The cardinal rule of Etsy SEO: if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. A listing that’s doing well should be left untouched to continue drawing in sales. However, exceptions exist, such as when gearing up for a holiday season. Sprinkling in holiday-specific keywords for products that could serve as gifts during these times can boost visibility and sales.

2. Testing for Optimization by Duplicating Listings

Optimization is key to identifying what works best for your shop. Instead of tweaking a well-performing listing that has already been judged by the algorithm, create a duplicate and experiment with different SEO elements, such as images, titles or tags. This strategy allows you to compare their performances without risking the success of the original listing.

3. Adding More Value to Existing Listings

It’s okay to make changes to a listing if it's to add clear data driven value. This includes upgrading images to ones with higher click-through rates (CTRs) based on solid data or enhancing the listing with additional upsells or variations. Remember, any changes should be data-driven and aimed at genuinely improving listing performance.

4. Do Not Repeat Keywords in the Title

Gone are the days of keyword stuffing. Etsy's algorithm has matured to prioritize listings that creatively incorporate essential keywords without repetition. Aim for a title that’s both readable and SEO-friendly, using your most important keywords at the beginning for maximum impact. Use free tools like ChatGPT to discover more keywords to help expand search-ability.

For example: if you are selling baby clothes, think of all the different ways you can describe a baby.

• Infant

• New Born

• Child

• Youngster

• Little One

• Toddler (for slightly older babies)

5. Using Similar Keywords in the Tag

Leverage query matching by including your crucial long-tail keywords both in your tags and titles. This dual presence can give your listings a significant boost for those specific searches. However, balance is key—don’t sacrifice the variety of your keywords for the sake of repetition try to only prioritize your very best case scenario words.

6. Allowing Listings Time to Optimize

Patience pays off when it comes to Etsy SEO. Once a listing goes live, give it time to be evaluated by Etsy’s algorithm, typically around 60 to 90 days. Constant changes can disrupt this process, so it's best to let your listing's performance data accumulate before making adjustments.

7. Avoiding Checking Rank on Etsy BUT Do Track Profitability

Etsy's search algorithm personalizes results based on a multitude of factors, making rank a complex and misleading metric to gauge success. Focus on tangible indicators of a listing’s performance, such as actual profit on a product. As a business owner, you only have so many hours in the day, so using real metrics like net operating profit to determine which items to focus on is invaluable. For the first time ever, you can automatically see the real-time profit of your Etsy products with ProfitTree. ProfitTree gives you in depth analytics not only on a store level but on each product variation option that you sell so at all times you have a holistic visual of all your business expenses and winning products.

 Learn more about ProfitTree and all our features HERE

8. Implementing Tiers of Upsells in Listings

A strategic pricing tier, featuring both entry-level and premium options, can appeal to a broader audience and enhance the perceived value of your offerings. This not only boosts your average order value but signals to Etsy that your listing is competitive, potentially improving its SEO ranking.

9. Filling Out All Available Forms in Etsy Listings

Etsy's platform offers multiple fields (titles, tags, descriptions, categories, and attributes) to input data about your listing. Maximizing the use of these fields effectively communicates to Etsy's algorithm what your listing is about, improving its chances of appearing in relevant searches. The moral of the story here is Etsy has forms, photo and video slots for a reason, help Etsy help you by not overlooking these. Use your 13 keywords in tags, 10 image slots, add a video, etc! This will make for a FULLY optimized listing.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Etsy shop for SEO in 2024 might seem daunting, but armed with these nine strategic dos and don'ts, you're well on your way to increasing visibility, engagement, and sales. Remember, SEO is not just about fitting in as many keywords as possible but creating a user-friendly experience that leads customers to your products. Dive deeper into understanding Etsy SEO with more in-depth training videos on our Youtube Channel HERE, and keep experimenting to find what works best for your unique offerings. Thank you for exploring the complexities and opportunities of Etsy SEO with us, and here's to your success in the coming year!