How to Find The BEST Etsy Keywords For FREE
You do not need a paid keyword tool to start finding better Etsy keywords.
Paid tools can help later. But if you are still learning what buyers actually type, start with the free places first.
The goal is simple:
Find words real buyers already use, then decide which ones actually fit your product.
Step 1: Start with Etsy search
Go to Etsy and type the broad version of your product into the search bar.
If you sell a mug, do not stop at “mug.”
Try:
mug
ceramic mug
funny mug
gift mug
teacher mug
personalized mug
Watch the suggestions Etsy gives you. Those suggestions can show how shoppers are already searching.
Write down the phrases that make sense for your product.
Do not copy every suggestion. Some will be too broad. Some will attract the wrong buyer. Some will describe products you do not sell.
Step 2: Study similar listing titles
Open a few listings that are actually similar to yours.
Look at the language sellers use in their titles.
Do you keep seeing the same product words?
The same recipient words?
The same style words?
The same occasion words?
For Etsy, useful keyword ideas often come from combinations like:
product type
buyer or recipient
style
occasion
material
specific use
A weak keyword is usually too vague.
“Shirt” does not tell the buyer enough.
“Kindergarten teacher shirt” is clearer.
“Minimalist wall art” is clearer than “print.”
“Personalized ceramic mug” is clearer than “gift.”
Step 3: Check your Etsy stats
If your shop already has traffic, check your Etsy stats.
Your stats can show search terms shoppers used to find your listings. This is one of the most useful free clues because it comes from actual buyer behavior.
Do not only look at the terms with the most views.
Look for terms that make sense for the kind of buyer you want more of.
If a keyword brings traffic but no clicks or sales, it may be too broad.
If a keyword brings fewer views but better interest, it may be worth building around.
Step 4: Use Google Trends for timing
Google Trends will not tell you exactly what is happening inside Etsy.
But it can help you compare interest between phrases.
If you are choosing between two seasonal keywords, compare them. If one clearly rises every year around the same month, that gives you timing information.
This is useful for products tied to holidays, teacher gifts, weddings, birthdays, or seasonal trends.
You are not using Google Trends to pick your whole Etsy strategy.
You are using it to avoid guessing.
Step 5: Use Pinterest Trends for style words
Pinterest is useful for visual products because people search there before they buy, decorate, gift, plan, or choose an aesthetic.
For Etsy sellers, that can help with style keywords.
Think:
coquette
western
minimalist
boho
teacher gift
nursery wall art
birthday shirt
mother’s day gift
Pinterest will not replace Etsy research.
It helps you understand how people describe the look or mood they want.
Step 6: Use eRank’s free plan for a second opinion
If you want one free Etsy-specific keyword tool, try eRank’s free plan.
Do not use it to blindly chase the biggest number.
Use it to compare ideas, spot related phrases, and check whether your keyword is too broad.
A keyword with huge interest can still be bad for your listing if your product does not match the buyer’s intent.
That is the part new sellers miss.
Better keywords are not just popular words.
They are accurate words.
Step 7: Build your final keyword list
Once you have ideas from the free sources, clean them up.
Your keyword list should include phrases that describe:
what the product is
who it is for
the style or aesthetic
the occasion
the material or format
the specific use
Do not stuff your listing with every phrase you found.
Choose the keywords that help the right buyer understand the product faster.
Before paying for any keyword tool, check:
Etsy search suggestions
similar listing titles
your Etsy stats
Follow for more Etsy Tips!
When I first started selling on Etsy, I relied heavily on instinct and guesswork for choosing keywords, which resulted in limited views and almost no sales. What really changed the game for me was a step-by-step approach similar to the one outlined here. Starting with Etsy’s own search bar suggestions helped me understand exactly how shoppers phrase their queries — for example, instead of just "mug," I discovered phrases like "personalized ceramic mug" and "boho mug" were attracting more targeted buyers. Beyond the initial research, analyzing similar listings was crucial. I noticed that top sellers often combined the product type with occasion or recipient keywords, such as "teacher gift mug" or "birthday present mug." This made me rethink my titles to be much more specific to my target customers. Regularly checking my Etsy shop stats helped me track which keywords were driving traffic and which were actually leading to clicks and sales. This insight led me to prune vague keywords and focus on those with better engagement, even if their search volume was smaller. It’s a reminder that popular keywords alone don’t guarantee success; relevance matters most. I also began using Google Trends to time my promotions around seasonal spikes — like gift mugs peaking before Mother's Day or Christmas — which increased the visibility of my listings at the right moments. Pinterest Trends was a surprising find, particularly for style-related keywords. For my ceramic mugs, incorporating trending aesthetics like "minimalist" or "boho" helped me connect with buyers looking for a certain vibe or home decor style. Lastly, I tried eRank’s free keyword tools for a second opinion to compare ideas and ensure my keywords weren’t too broad or competitive. This helped refine my final list into a focused set of phrases that accurately described what I was selling and whom it was for. Overall, the key takeaway is that the best Etsy keywords aren’t just about high search volume but about being precise, buyer-focused, and timely. Starting with free resources allows sellers of any level to improve their listings without spending money on expensive tools.
