If you want potential buyers to find your unique creations on Etsy, you should use “tagging” to the best of your advantage. Tags in Etsy are keywords that allow shoppers to locate specific goods. This practice will put you in contact with the people most likely to purchase your goods. When entering a new listing into Etsy, don’t underestimate the importance of choosing effective keywords.
Create Accurate Tags
It is important to create accurate tags for your Etsy listings. Selecting keywords that do not describe or complement your item only wastes the time of potential buyers. For example, if you make a necklace made out of silver, it isn’t in your best interest to use ‘gold’ as a tag. A couple of tips for accurate tagging include:
- Use synonyms as tags, but make sure they are relevant. You can use the tag ‘handbag’ for a purse, but using ‘earrings’ in a necklace listing is not acceptable.
- Do not misrepresent an item as “one-of-a-kind” (“OOAK” or “original”) if it is not. An item that is a reproduction or comes in multiples cannot be tagged in this manner.
- Opt for single tags over multiple words when possible. For example, “freshwater pearl” is acceptable, while “pearl earrings” is frowned upon. “Pearl” and “earrings” can easily be used as single tags.
- Use tags to describe the current state of an item. Do not use tags of what the item could become or refer to its potential uses. If you are selling crystals, do not use “earrings” or “necklace” as a tag.
Depending on the type of Etsy listing, there are various policies that apply:
For handmade listings, choose the top-level category that best describes your handmade item. You cannot tag a handmade item as “commercial” – a tag set aside for items that have not been made by a seller. Upcycled, reconstructed or significantly altered vintage items are also classified as handmade.
For vintage listings, select the top-level Vintage category. When using tags to describe the decade or age of the item, try to be as accurate as possible. Commercial crafting supplies that are more than 20 years old can be listed in the top-level in either the vintage or supplies category.
For supply listings, you must list commercial items in the top-level Supplies category. You must use the tag “commercial” for commercial crafting supplies. Tag handmade crafting supplies as “handmade.” You can list handmade crafting supplies in the top-level Supplies category or other category. For example, a glass focal bead handmade by a seller can be listed in the top-level Supplies or Glass categories.
