🎧 Listen to this blog post as a Podcast instead '#1 - The Beginner's Guide to the Etsy Algorithm

Are you tired of the guessing games when it comes to Etsy's search algorithm? Want to know what really moves the needle for your shop's visibility?

In this episode, I dive deep into the mechanics of Etsy's search engine and share how you can optimise your listings for better exposure by understanding the 7 ranking factors.

Wondering how to make your products irresistible to Etsy's search algorithm? I'll break down the key factors that determine how your items rank in search results, and how you can leverage these to your advantage.

Do you feel like you're in the dark about how Etsy's search algorithm prioritises listings? Tune in as I shed light on the inner workings of the platform and provide you with actionable tips to help your shop stand out.

I'm going to be doing a very quick run through of the algorithm, how it works and how you can leverage it.

It all starts with a search on Etsy… So you're typing in a dreamy art print. Two things happen in a split second. Not even a split second, like a second of a second of a second of a second of second, right?

Query matching

One of those two things is query matching. It's basically a massive list of all of the listings that fit with one or all of those words. So for example, if you're searching ‘dreamy art print’ you will get a list of all of the listings that have those words in them.

Etsy creates a list of results based on all the info the seller has provided… through the titles, tags, attributes, descriptions, image text, and all those kinds of things.

As you can imagine, that list is bluman-massive, which leads onto part two.

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The seven ranking factors

Once Etsy has gathered all of the listings that match the query the customer has typed into the search box, they then use seven ranking factors to rank them.

1. Relevancy

• How relevant is your listing to what the buyer typed into the search bar?
• Ensure what you are selling matches the description - don’t be tempted to add similar items such as a ring if you’re selling a necklace. You’ll not get clicks and you’ll be bumped down the list.
• Be relevant, succinct and specific in your titles, tags and descriptions
• Add the correct attributes to what you’re selling - make sure all words are spelt correctly

2. Listing quality score

• Etsy wants to show buyers items that they’re most likely going to purchase
• Etsy will look at clues as to what items your customer might like based on their previous buying, your shop habits, how your listing has historically performed, etc
• Reviews, clicks, favourites, replying to messages quickly and conversion rates are paramount to this.

3. Recency

• Etsy helps new shops and new listings by implementing recency
• This is where new listings get a small boost so Etsy, and you, can see how shoppers react to it

4. Customer & market place experience score (previously ODR)

• This is a big deal to the Etsy algorithm because they don’t want any negative vibes on their platform
• Your shop has a secret score
• Great reviews within the last 12 months, a completed about section and shop policies are all things that Etsy say helps
• They don’t want any cases, IP infringements or copyright strikes - these are all red flags to the Etsy algorithm

5. Postage price

• I know this can be a bone of contention for some sellers
• But, Etsy buyers have always said they’re more likely to buy if the postage is free or had a low shipping cost. Within the US under $6 shipping has shown to be the best and not turn away buyers
• Items with free postage are shown to convert better, helping your listing quality score eventually
• This doesn’t mean it needs to eat into your profit - you just need to build it into your pricing strategy

6. Language and translations

• Your main language should be the one that you list your items
• If you spoke another language Etsy prefers this to their AI translations

7. Shopper habits - context specific ranking

• This is where cookies come into play
• It’s a nifty bit of AI that matches customers with what they want to see based on their previous buying and browsing behaviours 

Now that you’ve got a clearer understanding of the Etsy algorithm you’ll see there are some things that are in your control and you can influence and others that you can’t.  

Building your sales strategy around the Etsy algorithm will help you to get more views and visits to your shop, it will help improve your conversion rate and result in more sales. 

 Love Steph xox

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