May 1, 2022 | 3 minute read

The Ultimate Guide to Etsy Search

Get an inside look at how Etsy search works and learn strategies for optimizing your shop and listings.

Avatar image for Etsy Staff by Etsy Staff
Title image for the article
Want to open your own Etsy shop? Create your shop today!

Reach the millions of shoppers who come to Etsy looking for something special with a smart search optimization strategy. Optimizing your shop and listings for Etsy search can help you reach new audiences and build your customer base. In this guide, you’ll learn how using the right keywords in your tags and titles and adding categories and attributes creates new opportunities for your listings to match with shoppers’ searches. You’ll also learn how to improve your search ranking by optimizing your listings for conversion and following Etsy’s customer service best practices, how Etsy search works generally, and the factors that go into determining search ranking in Etsy search.

Chapter 1: How Etsy Search Works

Learn more about the phases of Etsy search and the factors that go into search ranking.

Chapter 2: Keywords 101: Everything You Need to Know

Follow these dos and don’ts when adding tags, and brainstorm new keywords with these proven techniques.

Chapter 3: Add Attributes to Help Increase Your Shop's Visibility

Learn how to add listing attributes, an important factor in helping items appear in relevant Etsy searches.

Chapter 4: Create Listings That Convert

Increasing your conversion rate may improve where your listings rank in Etsy search. Check out these tips for increasing your views.

Chapter 5: How Great Customer Service Can Improve Your Search Ranking

Great reviews and an About section may improve your shop’s search ranking while intellectual property issues and cases can hurt it.

Chapter 6: Using Search Analytics to Understand Your Search Traffic

Search Analytics gives you more information about the search queries shoppers are using to find your listings. Learn how to make the most of it.

Chapter 7: Checklist: Optimizing Your Shop for Etsy Search

Check off all the items on this list and you’re 10 steps closer to more visibility in Etsy search.

Chapter 8: Your Search Questions, Answered

Three pros dive deep on everything from titles, tags, and attributes to misspellings and plurals. (Don’t worry—we’ve got those typos covered!)

Be sure to subscribe to our seller email list for important updates about your Etsy shop, new features, and personalized tips to help grow your business.

Return to the Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy

Note: Etsy search is always changing. These are some of the current best practices we recommend and we’ll regularly update this content to keep you informed*.

*As of May 2022

Avatar image for Etsy Staff Words by Etsy Staff

Connect with the community

Looking for a place to share questions and spark new conversations?

Join the conversation in the Forums and get inspired

See more

Latest articles

Working Overtime: Crafted Glory

Working Overtime: Crafted Glory

Woodworker Kwadwo Som-Pimpong shares how he balances working night shifts at a manufacturing plant with crafting beautiful, earth-conscious furniture.

Tips for Getting Featured on Etsy

Tips for Getting Featured on Etsy

Observe these dos and don’ts to improve your chances of getting featured by Etsy’s editors, merchandisers, and Social Media team.

Holiday Checklist: Setting Your Shop Up for Success

Holiday Checklist: Setting Your Shop Up for Success

Use this guide to help set your shop up for success throughout the season, featuring seller tools and tips, upcoming events, and Etsy buyer insights.

How to Build Your Following

How to Build Your Following

How do you keep your social media momentum going? Learn how to reach new fans and expand your network.