Day 3: Winning SEO Keywords – AI-Assisted Search Optimization
Share
Why it’s important
Keywords are how buyers find your products. On Etsy, the words you include in your listings directly influence whether you appear in a shopper’s search results. If you’re not using phrases people type, your products remain invisible. Today you’ll research and refine your SEO keywords using ChatGPT to ensure you’re speaking the same language as your customers. Good keywords = more chances to be found, which can mean more sales. However, remember that ChatGPT can’t see real-time Etsy data or Google Trend metrics; it infers based on general knowledge. You’ll combine its suggestions with your own verification steps, like trying them on Etsy’s search bar or a free keyword tool.
How to use ChatGPT
ChatGPT can brainstorm synonyms, related terms, and long-tail phrases (multi-word searches) for your product. Always verify suggestions yourself: ChatGPT can’t show you live search volumes or competition levels. Consider an external check, like typing the suggested keyword into Etsy’s search or referencing Google Trends to confirm its popularity.
Enter each keyword in Etsy’s search bar. Check the number of results, look for “Bestseller” tags, and review the top listings’ descriptions. Use Google Trends to see interest levels over time for terms like “lavender soy candle” or “handmade soy candle.” Consider free tools like EtsyRank or Marmalead to verify search volume and competition. ChatGPT’s recommendations are logical guesses, but they might miss real-time popularity or competition data.
Prompt to use
Below is a structured “one-shot” prompt that clarifies your goals, context, constraints, and desired output. For best results, remember to use both search and reason mode so ChatGPT can search the internet and do the best reasoning. You can copy-paste (and customize the bracketed parts) to get maximum insight from the free ChatGPT plan.
|
Generate and refine SEO keywords for my Etsy listing, distinguishing broad and long-tail terms. Context & Details (Replace bracketed text with yours): Constraints & Requirements:
Desired Output:
Example Output Style (Briefly Mention): If any part is unclear, list what extra info you’d need so I can refine the prompt or respond. Format the response in numbered or bulleted sections for clarity. |
Step-by-Step Action Plan for Day 3
1 Describe your Product in Detail
Pick one product. Write down its key attributes: product type, material, color, style, target buyer, and usage. For instance, "soy candle, lavender scent, 8 oz jar, farmhouse style label, gift for her, aromatherapy, relaxing, vegan, handmade."
2 Expand and Refine
After ChatGPT’s list, prompt follow-ups to deepen or pivot. For instance:
• “Give me more birthday-related long-tail keywords for a candle gift.”
• “Which of these might be more unique, to stand out in a crowded marketplace?”
• “Any synonyms for ‘relaxing candle’ that I’m missing?”
Because ChatGPT deduces from general context, not live data, always do a quick check on Etsy or Google Trends for any suspicious or newly trendy terms.
3 Research Relevance
From the AI’s list, remove any unrelated or misleading terms. Then verify the survivors: try them in Etsy’s search bar or a free tool. If the top results match your product, that’s a good sign. If it’s all different items, skip that keyword. Keep only those that truly align with your product and brand.
4 Select Core Keywords
Pick your top relevant, descriptive terms. These will be used later for your listing titles, tags, or descriptions. Aim for a healthy mix of primary (like “lavender soy candle”) and secondary (“aromatherapy gift candle”), plus some niche long-tail phrases. Sometimes a less competitive phrase yields more chance to rank.
5 Ask ChatGPT to Prioritize (Optional)
If you have a large list, paste it back to ChatGPT: “Which 5 are likely highest-intent for my item?” The AI may highlight “vegan candle gift” or “farmhouse lavender decor,” etc. Weigh its logic against your gut feeling and any data from manual checks.
6 Document Your Keyword List
Save your final picks somewhere. Ideally, have enough to fill all 13 Etsy tags. You may want a few extras to rotate or test, especially if you plan multiple listings or future expansions.
Metrics to Track
Right now, “keyword quality” is intangible. But you can measure the impact by tracking search impressions and views for your listing after you incorporate these keywords (you’ll do that on Day 4 and beyond). For baseline, note how many impressions your listing currently gets from Etsy search. Then, in a week or two, see if that number rises after updating your title and tags with the new keywords. Also track how many new keywords you discovered: for example, “I found 15 relevant phrases, 5 of which I’d never have thought of otherwise.”
Once you have these keywords, you’ll be ready for Day 4—where you’ll incorporate them into titles and tags to climb higher in Etsy’s search results.
Outcome
By the end of day 3, you’ll have a robust set of SEO keywords for at least one listing, drawn from ChatGPT’s suggestions and your own manual verification. This keyword list positions you for better visibility in Etsy search, which can lead to more clicks and potential sales. You’ve also learned to cross-check ChatGPT’s logical guesses with external tools or Etsy search results, ensuring each keyword actually fits what shoppers look for. Tomorrow, you’ll integrate these keywords into your listing titles and tags.