Complete Guide to Etsy SEO in 2024 using eRank 🎯

Summary

In this informative video script, Starla Moore, founder of Handmade Alpha Academy and manager at eRank.com, offers a step-by-step guide to optimizing Etsy listings for better search visibility in 2024. She emphasizes the importance of keyword research using eRank's data-driven tools and creating a balance between 'low-hanging fruit' and 'high-hanging fruit' keywords. The transcript details the process of crafting titles and tags that appeal to both exact and broad matching aspects of Etsy's algorithm. Starla also discusses the significance of allowing listings a 60 to 90-day maturation period for quality score assessment and the necessity of monitoring keyword trends for adapting to market shifts. She concludes by highlighting that while SEO is crucial, it's just one part of the ranking puzzle and encourages sellers to explore other ranking factors for comprehensive success on Etsy.

Takeaways

• 🧐 **Importance of Visibility**: Even the best products need to be discoverable for customers to purchase them on Etsy.
• 🔍 **Keyword Research**: Utilize tools like eRank to find data-driven keywords that shoppers are actually searching for in your product listings.
• 🚀 **SEO as an Experiment**: Treat Etsy SEO as a continuous process of testing, monitoring, and tweaking your strategy rather than a one-time setup.
• 💡 **Self-Education**: It's more cost-effective to learn SEO yourself than to continually pay for services, given the rapidly changing trends.
• 📈 **Start Broad, Go Specific**: Begin your keyword search with broad terms to get more specific suggestions and to manage your free plan quota effectively.
• 📋 **Keyword List Creation**: Create a keyword list to keep track of potential keywords for your tags and titles.
• 🍎 **Low-Hanging Fruits**: Include less competitive keywords that may not have high search volumes but can rank faster due to lower competition.
• 📝 **Title Crafting**: Titles should appeal to both exact and broad matching aspects of Etsy's algorithm, highlighting 'superstar keywords'.
• 🛍️ **Tags Utilization**: Use tags for both exact and broad matching, and avoid overstuffing them with keywords that don't make sense contextually.
• 🎁 **Targeted Keywords**: Incorporate keywords that target potential customers, styles, occasions, or gift recipients to attract the right audience.
• 📉 **Patience with Algorithm**: Allow 60 to 90 days for Etsy's algorithm to build a quality score for your listing without frequent edits during this period.
• 🔄 **Ongoing Monitoring**: Regularly check keyword trends and search volumes to adapt to changing trends and maintain your competitive edge.
• 📚 **Comprehensive SEO**: While keywords are crucial, be aware that they are just one part of Etsy's search algorithm; success also depends on other ranking factors.
• 🛠️ **Free Toolbox**: Utilize resources like the free Etsy SEO’oodles toolbox to understand and influence all seven ranking factors on Etsy.

Q & A

What is the importance of keyword research for Etsy sellers?

Keyword research is crucial for Etsy sellers because it helps them understand what shoppers are searching for, enabling them to optimize their listings for better visibility and sales.

Who is Starla Moore and what is her role in the context of the transcript?

Starla Moore is the founder of the Handmade Alpha Academy for Etsy sellers and the manager at eRank.com, Etsy's most popular SEO tool. She provides guidance on how to optimize listings for Etsy search.

What does SEO stand for and why is it important for Etsy sellers?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It's important for Etsy sellers because it helps improve the visibility of their listings in Etsy's search results, potentially leading to increased sales.

Why does Starla Moore recommend against using SEO services and consultants?

Starla Moore recommends against using SEO services and consultants because trends change every month, and relying on them would require continuous payments for updates. It's more cost-effective and empowering for sellers to learn SEO strategies themselves.

What is the first step recommended by Starla Moore for keyword research on Etsy?

The first step recommended by Starla Moore is to head over to eRank.com to begin doing keyword research, as it provides data-driven insights into what shoppers are searching for.

What is the significance of 'low-hanging fruits' in keyword research?

'Low-hanging fruits' refer to keywords that may not be searched as much and may not have the best click rates, but they have lower competition. This means sellers can potentially rank for these terms faster, making them a good starting point for optimization.

How does the Etsy algorithm handle exact matching and broad matching?

Exact matching in Etsy's algorithm means that the keywords appear exactly as the shopper types them in, resulting in stronger keyword matching. Broad matching, on the other hand, involves Etsy combining words from your tags and titles in various ways to match search queries, regardless of the word order.

Why is it recommended to avoid keyword-stuffed titles on Etsy?

Keyword-stuffed titles can be off-putting to shoppers and make listings look spammy. Etsy advises sellers to write short, clear, and descriptive titles that are easy for shoppers to understand, which also helps set listings apart from less curated ones.

How does the length of a title impact the visibility of a listing on Etsy?

While it might seem that adding more keywords to a title would increase the chances of it being discovered, Etsy's advice is to focus on concise and descriptive titles. There is no algorithmic benefit to exactly 140 characters; instead, sellers should test different lengths and styles to see what works best for their target customers.

What is the role of tags in Etsy's SEO?

Tags are important in Etsy's SEO as they allow for both exact and broad matching. They provide additional opportunities for listings to appear in search results, but should be used judiciously to maintain clarity and relevance.

Why is it important to monitor keyword trends and search volumes over time?

Monitoring keyword trends and search volumes is important because search trends change over time. Keeping an eye on these metrics allows sellers to adjust their listings accordingly to maintain or improve their visibility and sales.

What is the 'Etsy SEO’oodles toolbox' and how can it help Etsy sellers?

The 'Etsy SEO’oodles toolbox' is a free resource provided by Starla Moore that covers the mechanics of Etsy’s algorithm and the seven factors contributing to a listing's overall rank or visibility on Etsy. It helps sellers understand and influence these factors to improve their success on the platform.