Dreaded SEO! Does anyone know this answer?

[OneHappyLeaf]

Hi Everyone,

I think like a lot of people I have struggled to understand SEO, however now that I believe I have a handle on it there is still one confusion I have with SEO.

My question is does SEO distinguish between similar tags in a search?

For example, if I have the words "lasercut earrings" and "jewelry" and if someone searched for the words "lasercut jewelry" would my items appear in their search?

Also, if I have the tag "wooden studs" if I have another tag with just the word "studs" does the fact that I have the word "stud" twice in my key words increase relevancy is someone searched for "studs"?

As we only get 13 tags I'm trying to make the most out of each and every one!

Thanks guys,
Anna

[Former_Member]

If you have one tag that is 'lasercut earrings' and another for 'jewellery' then its my understanding that if someone searches 'lasercut jewellery' that your items will appear in the search.

They won't be as relevant as someone who has the tag 'lasercut jewellery' but they will be there.

Also, if you have the tag 'wooden studs' then you don't really need to use another tag for 'stud'

[OneHappyLeaf]

Awesome thanks! :)

[Former_Member]

This was a helpful question, thanks for asking, it cleared up some confusion on my part too.

However, if OP wanted to be at the top of the searches for both "lasercut jewelry" and "lasercut earrings" should she have both tags?

[Former_Member]

thanks for the insight
well i think it would be better to have both tags but then it also depends on what else you have and how important your other tags are

[TheWeeBitThings]

Hi Anna, thanks for putting this question into words. I had the same question but thought how am I going to ask that in a way that makes sense.
Now I am all the more knowledgeable.
@crochetgirl, thanks for clarifying!

[OneHappyLeaf]

No problem :)

[Former_Member]

How about misspellings either from the searcher or in your tags. For example: Ladybug vs Lady bug. I have run a test on this and it appears to make a difference in the results which means I have to use up two tags for one search idea. Anyone else have comments on this issue

[OneHappyLeaf]

Hi Barbara,

I'm pretty sure through my testing also that the Etsy search only searches for the exact spellings (except for a few circumstances, like if you search for jewellery, "jewelry" will also come up).

So yes, include a few typos as tags!

[Former_Member]

If you are searching for 'ladybug' its not the same search as one for 'lady bug' so it does help to have both in your tags.

Misspellings can work in your favour as well!

[PrairiePrimitives]

Anna, "jewellery" isn't necessarily a typo. That's how it's spelled in "British English!"