Is Etsy’s Algorithm Broken or Are You Just Not Selling Anything?
Don’t panic if you’ve been selling effectively
Photo by Tonik On Unsplash
Etsy is a platform where people can find handmade items to buy
This is my opinion on Etsy
Until one day, they won’t be able to
This is how I perceive its algorithm
Sometimes, your top-selling item that was on the digital shelves has disappeared from Etsy search results
The Etsy algorithm is to blame, as it was
The Etsy Algorithm
Let’s begin with the obvious
Their blog posts contain ambiguous indications, while YouTubers on Etsy alter them into doomsday scenarios
An article on Etsy about the “Total Ounce” was released recently The Structure of a Well-Created Listing ”
This is where panic began
Yes, Etsy made some “suggestions. ” Were they covertly suggesting, “In order to save you money, we must banish your shop from the search engine.”
Not even close
Distinguishing the trigger Points of Panic
Photo by Josh Hild On Unsplash
Consider some of the so-called “big changes” and determine if they are really significant or just common sense advice repackaged as mainstream news
Image Requirements
Etsy suggests that you should have a minimum of one image for your first listing 2000 pixels wide Search results show a pop-up. Etsy may lower your image’s ranking if it is blurry
Shouldn’t you use the services of a professional photographer and shoot your earrings with the same precision as if they were on NBC’s National Geographic?
No
It is important to ensure that your images are not too pixelated, leading customers to believe that they require 3D glasses for viewing
Titles
Etsy suggests straightforward, keyword-rich phrases that potential buyers can enter into the search bar. ”
Groundbreaking advice, really Who knew that making titles readable to humans might actually help with sales?
So if your title looks like this:
🚫 “Handmade Blue Necklace Boho Chic Necklace Handmade Jewelry Women’s Necklace Unique Handmade Gift for Her Birthday Gift Handmade Necklace Blue”
Try this instead:
✅ “Handmade Blue Boho Necklace — Gift for Women, Minimalist Jewelry”
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Descriptions
Etsy has long claimed that descriptions don’t factor into their search ranking Except now they kind of do, but only for external search engines like Google
What does this mean for you?
Use natural sentences, mention your product clearly in the first couple of lines, and don’t just copy-paste your title
For example, instead of:
🚫 “Handmade Necklace Gift Boho Necklace Handmade Jewelry Women Gift Handmade Gift Blue Necklace Handmade Unique”
Try:
✅ “This handmade blue boho necklace is a perfect gift for women who love minimalist jewelry. Made with high-quality materials, it’s lightweight and stylish for everyday wear. ”
Is that sounding like a human being?. Is it possible that Google will gain a better understanding of your product?
Tags
Etsy’s guidelines suggest using natural language and multi-word phrases when creating tags. ”
Translation: Stop keyword stuffing like it’s 2010.
No one is searching for “gift. ” They are searching for “gift for mom” or “gift for cat lovers. ” Use phrases that make sense
Also, if your tags are working just fine Don’t touch them If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
Should You Change Anything?
Here’s the big secret Etsy doesn’t want to tell you (but I will, because I care about your sanity): If your shop is already optimized using Etsy’s best practices, you don’t need to change a thing
If you’ve been selling successfully, then don’t panic
Your rankings aren’t going to vanish overnight just because Etsy now sees the importance of good photos and clear titles
However, if your shop has been struggling and your listings look like they were written by a confused parrot This is your sign to make improvements
🌟 Thanks for reading!
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