Updated October 2026
How to use the tags generator
- Type one product keyword. Describe the item the way a shopper would ("leather dog collar", "soy candle"), or click one of the suggested words to add it. Press Enter or click Generate Tags.
- Sort the list. You get up to 15 tag ideas. Click the Search Volume or Competition column to sort. Both scores are AI estimates on a 1 to 100 scale, not numbers from Etsy, so use them to compare ideas with each other rather than as real search counts.
- Pick 13 and check the length. Click a tag to copy it, or use Copy All Tags to copy the whole list. Etsy only accepts 13 tags, each up to 20 characters, so drop the weakest ideas and shorten anything that runs over.
Etsy's tag rules
- Up to 13 tags per listing, each up to 20 characters.
- Tags can contain letters, numbers and spaces. You can use
'and-inside a tag, but a tag can't start with them. - A tag can be a short phrase, such as "silver earrings" or "minimalist jewelry".
Source: Etsy Help, How to Use Tags to Get Found in Search.
How Etsy search uses tags
According to Etsy's How Etsy Search Works, search runs in two steps. First it finds listings that match the shopper's words, looking at the title, tags, attributes, categories, description and more. Then it ranks those matches, largely by how often views turn into favorites, add-to-carts and sales. Etsy recommends using all 13 tags, writing them as natural multi-word phrases and adding variety between them.
Categories and attributes (color, material, occasion and so on) count as keywords too. Etsy says that if a phrase is already in your attributes, you don't need to repeat it as a tag (source). Use those tag slots for different ways people might search for the same item instead.
Weak tags vs. stronger tags
Example listing: a personalized brown leather dog collar.
| Weak tag | Stronger tag | Why |
|---|---|---|
| dog | leather dog collar | One broad word matches a huge range of items. A multi-word phrase matches what a buyer of this item types. |
| brown | name engraved collar | Color is already covered by the color attribute, so the slot is better spent on a new search phrase. |
| personalized dog collar with name | personalized collar | The first is 33 characters and won't fit. Etsy's limit is 20. |
| pet supplies | gift for dog lover | Your category already covers "pet supplies". A gift phrase reaches a different group of shoppers. |
| best quality | puppy collar | Nobody searches for "best quality". A size or age phrase is something buyers really type. |
FAQ
Should I use all 13 tags?
Yes. Etsy's own guidance is to add 13 tags to every listing, because each one is another chance to match a search.
Do tags need to repeat words from my title?
No. The title, tags, categories and attributes are all used to match searches, so repeating the same phrase in several places uses up space you could give to a different phrase.
Are the search volume numbers real Etsy data?
No. The scores in this tool are AI estimates to help you compare ideas. For real data, open Shop Manager, then Stats, then Etsy search under "How shoppers found you" to see the terms that actually bring visitors (Etsy Help).
Can I use trademarked words or other brands in tags?
Avoid it. Etsy removes material that a rights owner reports as infringing, and repeat infringement can close an account (Etsy Intellectual Property Policy).
Next, write the title with the Etsy title and description generator, or research phrases in more depth with the Etsy keyword tool. To bring traffic from outside Etsy, see how to create Pinterest Pins for your Etsy store.