Overview
This skill provides systematic keyword research for Etsy digital product listings. It goes beyond basic keyword suggestions to analyze profitability, competition, and strategic fit.
Research Process
Step 1: Gather Seed Keywords
Start with the product category and brainstorm seed keywords:
Product: [what they're selling]
Niche: [specific market, e.g., "LDS", "Christian", "boho"]
Format: [printable, digital download, template, etc.]
Use case: [wall art, activity, planner, etc.]
Audience: [who buys this - teachers, moms, etc.]
Step 2: Expand Keywords Using Etsy Autocomplete
Use browser to search Etsy and capture autocomplete suggestions:
- Go to etsy.com
- Type seed keyword + each letter a-z
- Record all autocomplete suggestions
- These are REAL searches people make
Example for "lds easter":
- lds easter printable
- lds easter cards
- lds easter activity
- lds easter wall art
- lds easter coloring
- etc.
Step 3: Analyze Competition
For each promising keyword, search Etsy and analyze:
| Metric | How to Find | What's Good |
|---|---|---|
| Results count | Top of search page | <10K = low competition |
| Top seller prices | First page listings | Match or undercut |
| Review counts | First page listings | <100 reviews = beatable |
| Listing quality | Visual inspection | Poor photos = opportunity |
| Bestseller badges | Look for badges | Few badges = opportunity |
Step 4: Estimate Demand
Demand signals to look for:
- Autocomplete ranking - Higher = more searches
- Number of results - More results = proven demand
- Bestseller badges - Badges = sales happening
- Review velocity - Recent reviews = active buyers
- Seasonal trends - Check if keyword is seasonal
Step 5: Score Keywords
Rate each keyword on a 1-5 scale:
| Factor | 1 (Bad) | 5 (Great) |
|---|---|---|
| Demand | No autocomplete | Top autocomplete |
| Competition | >50K results, big sellers | <5K results, small sellers |
| Relevance | Tangential fit | Perfect match |
| Profit potential | Race to bottom pricing | Premium pricing possible |
Priority Score = (Demand + Relevance) - Competition + Profit
Step 6: Organize Output
Deliver keywords in this format:
## 🎯 Primary Keywords (Use in Title)
| Keyword | Competition | Demand | Priority |
|---------|-------------|--------|----------|
| [keyword] | Low/Med/High | Low/Med/High | 🔥/✓/○ |
## 📝 Secondary Keywords (Use in Tags)
[List of 20-30 keywords organized by theme]
## 🚫 Keywords to Avoid
[Keywords that look good but have issues - explain why]
## 💡 Keyword Gaps Found
[Opportunities where demand exists but supply is weak]
## 📋 Recommended Tag Set (13 tags)
1. [primary keyword]
2. [secondary keyword]
...
13. [long-tail keyword]
Tools & Methods
Everbee (if available)
- Chrome extension for Etsy analytics
- Shows estimated monthly searches
- Shows estimated revenue per listing
- Use for validation, not primary research
Manual Research (always do this)
- Etsy autocomplete (free, real data)
- Etsy search results count
- Competitor listing analysis
- Review reading for buyer language
Browser-Based Research
Use browser tool to:
- Search Etsy for keywords
- Capture autocomplete suggestions
- Analyze first-page listings
- Check competitor tags (view page source or listing details)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trusting tools blindly - Tools estimate; manual research validates
- Ignoring long-tail - "lds easter printable for kids" beats "easter printable"
- Keyword stuffing - 13 relevant tags > 13 random tags
- Copying competitors exactly - Find gaps they missed
- Ignoring seasonality - Easter keywords tank after April
Output Checklist
Every keyword research deliverable must include:
- 5-10 primary keywords (title-worthy)
- 20-30 secondary keywords (tag-worthy)
- Competition analysis for top keywords
- Recommended 13-tag set ready to copy/paste
- Keywords to avoid with reasons
- Gap opportunities identified
- Seasonal considerations noted
Learning Loop
Before starting research:
- Check
references/feedback-log.mdfor past learnings - Check
references/lds-keywords.mdfor proven performers - Apply lessons from previous research
After products launch (30 days later):
- Log results in
references/feedback-log.md - Update
references/lds-keywords.mdwith new proven keywords - Note any patterns that worked/failed
Reference Files
references/lds-keywords.md- Proven LDS keyword database (update with winners)references/feedback-log.md- Track predictions vs. actual results