How to pick Etsy tags and titles
Write a clear Etsy title of up to 140 characters that says what the item is, then use all 13 tags, each up to 20 characters, for different short phrases a buyer would type. Keep every word accurate, use tags for details your attributes do not cover, and check the listing before you publish.
What limits does Etsy set?
| Field | Limit | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Up to 140 characters | Etsy suggests considering fewer than 15 words. |
| Tags | Up to 13 per listing | Each tag can be up to 20 characters. |
| Tag characters | Letters, numbers and spaces | Hyphens and apostrophes work inside a tag, not as its first character. |
How to write a title
- 1Start with what the item is, in the words a buyer would use.
- 2Add the details that make it different, such as material, color, size or who it is for.
- 3Read it out loud. If it sounds like a list of keywords, cut the words that repeat.
- 4Check every word is true for this item. A buyer who feels misled will not stay.
How to choose your 13 tags
Etsy says a tag can be a short descriptive phrase, such as silver earrings or minimalist jewelry, and that a diverse set of accurate tags helps your search visibility.
- Use all 13. An empty tag slot is a search you left out.
- Prefer short phrases over single words, so each tag says something specific.
- Cover different angles: what it is, what it is made of, the style, the occasion and who it is for.
- Add buyer-minded terms such as gift for her when they honestly fit the item.
- Use tags for details no attribute covers. Etsy says tags help most when there is no matching attribute.
Why titles, tags and attributes work together
Etsy says sellers control the most important factors in Etsy Search placement, and it names titles, tags, attributes, listing quality and customer service. So fill in attributes as well, and do not treat tags as the only thing that counts.
Search results are unique to each shopper. Etsy also says searching for your own items is not a true sign of how they perform, so use your Stats to see the search terms that really bring people to your listings.
A short check before you publish
- The title starts with what the item is.
- All 13 tags are used, and no two say the same thing.
- Every tag fits in 20 characters and uses only allowed characters.
- Attributes are filled in.
- Every word is true for this item.
Check a title and tags in one go
Paste your title and tags into the Etsy title and tag checker. Each check shows pass, warning or fail, with the reason and how to fix it.
- Title length and repeated words
- Short, long or duplicate tags
- A note on every tag
Frequently asked questions
Up to 13, and each tag can be up to 20 characters. A tag can be a short phrase, not only one word.
Up to 140 characters. Etsy suggests considering fewer than 15 words for the traits that make your item special.
Letters, numbers and spaces. Hyphens and apostrophes are fine inside a word or phrase, but a tag cannot start with them. Accented letters are supported too.
Spend your tags on details attributes do not cover first. Etsy says tags are helpful when there is no matching attribute.
Search results are unique to each shopper, and Etsy says searching for your own items is not a true sign of how they perform. Use the search terms in your Stats instead.