How to choose Etsy tags: a simple guide to all 13

November 9, 2026

Every Etsy listing can have up to 13 tags, and each tag can be up to 20 characters long. Tags are one of the main ways Etsy search matches your listing to what a buyer types, so empty or weak tags are easy traffic to lose.

1. Use all 13

Each tag is another chance to match a search. A listing with 6 tags is competing with half the tools it could have. Fill every slot.

2. Use phrases, not single words

Buyers rarely search for one word. They type things like “boho wall art” or “gift for new mom”. A tag can hold a short phrase, so use that space for the kind of phrase a buyer would actually type.

3. Think like the buyer

Write down the different ways someone might look for your product:

• What it is: macrame wall hanging, woven wall decor
• Who it is for: gift for her, nursery decor
• The occasion: housewarming gift, mothers day gift
• The style: boho decor, minimalist art
• The material or colour: cotton rope, neutral decor

Pick the strongest phrases from each group.

4. Do not just copy your title

Some overlap with your title is normal, but tags that only repeat the title waste space. Use tags for other phrases buyers might search for.

5. Check demand and competition

A tag that nobody searches for brings no traffic. A tag that thousands of listings already use is hard to win. Look for phrases with real demand and fewer competing listings, especially longer, more specific ones.

6. Review and refresh

Search habits change with seasons and trends. Look at your best and worst listings every few months and swap weak tags for better ones.

Quick checklist

• All 13 tags used
• Every tag is 20 characters or fewer
• Mostly multi-word phrases
• A mix of what it is, who it is for, occasion and style
• No tag that only repeats the title