How can I improve my Etsy listings with the new Etsy handbook?

Etsy’s updated listing handbook gives sellers practical strategies to build trust, boost visibility, and drive more sales by optimizing each part of a product listing. These tips can help you attract more shoppers and convert views into purchases.

Write clear and scannable titles

Your title should clearly describe the product so buyers immediately know what they’re looking at. Start with the item type, followed by important traits like material, fit, color, or size. For example, use “Unisex cotton t-shirt, vintage wash, soft feel” instead of “Cool tee for any occasion.”

Keep your title under 15 words, avoid repeating the same terms, and move subjective words like “awesome” or “perfect” into your product description.

Avoid keyword stuffing in titles

It can be tempting to fill your title with as many keywords as possible, but overly repetitive or cluttered titles can hurt your listing’s performance and confuse shoppers.

Avoid stacking the same terms or using unnatural phrases just to include more keywords. For example, instead of writing “custom shirt, custom t-shirt, personalized shirt, gift for him, gift for her,” focus on a clear and readable title like “Custom unisex t-shirt, personalized gift for him or her.”

Etsy’s algorithm looks at your entire listing (title, tags, description, and attributes), so there’s no need to repeat the same words across all fields. Prioritize clarity over keyword density.

Use relevant keywords to increase visibility

Etsy search takes into account your title, description, tags, categories, and attributes. Use natural, multi-word keyword phrases that reflect how shoppers search, especially for on-demand products like apparel, accessories, and home goods. Some examples:

• Instead of just “t-shirt,” try “funny graphic unisex t-shirt” or “customizable gym tee for men”
• Use gift-specific terms like “new dad mug” or “personalized tote bag for bridesmaids”
• Include style or use-case descriptors like “minimalist wall art print” or “boho throw pillow cover”

These long, specific keyword phrases help your listings reach shoppers who know exactly what they want, increasing your chances of getting found and making a sale.

Showcase your products with quality images

Your first photo grabs attention in search, while additional images help build buyer confidence. Use all 10 image slots to show your product from different angles, up close, and in lifestyle settings. Use natural lighting, a clean background, and avoid text overlays in your first photo.

Etsy recommends a resolution of at least 2000 × 2000 px for the best clarity and visibility. Printify automatically pushes 2000 × 2000 px mockups when products are published, but it’s important to keep this in mind if you upload your own custom images. If you’re creating custom mockups, consider using a tool like Placeit to generate high-quality, on-brand images that meet Etsy’s recommendations.

Price your listings competitively

When pricing your products, include all costs like production, fulfillment, and shipping. Etsy suggests that incorporating shipping costs into your product price can help increase sales. For example, instead of listing a 20 USD item with 6 USD shipping, consider listing it at 26 USD with free shipping.

To learn more about how shipping cost affects Etsy search visibility, see our article Etsy Search Visibility Changes.

Set accurate delivery expectations

Etsy displays estimated delivery dates based on your processing times, shipping methods, and origin location. If you're using Printify’s  automatically imported shipping profiles, the required details are already included.

If you create custom shipping profiles, be sure to manually add the processing time, along with your delivery company, origin postal code, and estimated shipping time of the Print Provider. This ensures your listings remain active and that buyers get accurate delivery expectations.

Keep your shop policies up to date

Clear policies help build buyer trust and may improve your visibility in Etsy search. They also make it easier to handle situations like returns, wrong sizes, or lost packages. Be sure to include your return, exchange, and shipping policies, and consider using Etsy’s built-in templates for a consistent experience.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve created customizable templates to help you. Check out our article How should I set my store policies? for free policy templates you can use in your Etsy shop.

Write compelling and informative descriptions

Start with the key details buyers need to know, such as fabric type, fit, size options, and any customization features. Then briefly share your inspiration, brand story, or design process. Include relevant keywords naturally in the first few sentences. For example:

“This unisex premium t-shirt is made from soft, lightweight cotton with a comfortable fit. The design features a hand‑drawn illustration, printed using eco‑friendly inks. Ideal for daily wear or as a unique gift.”

Avoid repeating your title word for word. Use bullet points or short paragraphs to keep the description clear and easy to read.

Printify offers an AI listing title and description tool to help streamline this writing process. We are aligning it to Etsy’s updated listing guidelines. Learn more about how to use it in our article How can I optimize my product listings?.

Use all 13 tags effectively

Each of your 13 tags is a chance to help your product appear in relevant searches. Use multi-word tags that describe what the product is, who it’s for, and how it’s used. For print-on-demand items, this could include:

• “funny cat lover t-shirt”
• “custom coffee mug for teachers”
• “boho throw pillow cover”
• “motivational gym hoodie”

Avoid repeating tags or using phrases that already appear in your attributes or categories. The more variety and specificity you include, the better your chances of reaching the right audience.

Fill out all relevant product attributes

Attributes act like additional tags. Add as many as possible, including options for material, primary and secondary colors, holiday, occasion, and size. Even if the term is more general than how you would describe the item, it helps improve your visibility in search.

Share your brand story

Use your About section to highlight what inspires your designs, how you create them, and what sets your brand apart. If you work with a production partner like Printify, you can mention that your products are professionally printed and fulfilled on demand, which helps reduce overproduction. In your shop title or tagline, briefly describe what you sell.