How to Use eRank for Etsy SEO: Beginner's Guide (2026)

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to eRank. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Who this is for

Etsy sellers who want to use eRank for keyword research, listing audits, and competitor tracking—but aren't sure where to start. Whether you're on the free tier or considering Pro, this guide walks you through every feature that matters.

The goal

By the end of this tutorial, you'll know how to find profitable keywords, audit your listings for SEO gaps, and track what your competitors are doing—all using eRank's free and paid tools.

What is eRank and why do Etsy sellers use it?

eRank is a keyword research and listing optimization tool built specifically for Etsy sellers. It analyzes the top 100 Etsy search results for any keyword and shows you search volume, competition levels, and related long-tail terms.

Unlike tools that predict future trends, eRank shows you 12 months of historical data—what buyers have actually searched for over the past year. This makes it useful for finding proven keywords, not guessing at what might work.

Free tier vs Pro features

Here's what you get at each level (pricing as of January 2026):

Most sellers start with Free and upgrade to Pro once they're making consistent sales. For a detailed comparison with Marmalead (eRank's main competitor), see our eRank vs Marmalead comparison.

How do you sign up for eRank?

Getting started takes about 2 minutes.

Step 1: Create your free account

Go to eRank.com (affiliate link) and click "Sign Up Free." You'll need an email address and password—no credit card required for the free tier.

Step 2: Connect your Etsy shop (optional)

After signing up, eRank will prompt you to connect your Etsy shop. This lets eRank pull your listings for audits and show your shop stats. It's optional—you can use keyword research without connecting.

To connect:

1. Click "Connect Etsy Shop" in your dashboard
2. Authorize eRank through Etsy's OAuth screen
3. Wait 1-2 minutes for your listings to sync

eRank has read-only access. It can see your listings and stats but can't make changes to your shop.

Step 3: Install the Chrome extension

The eRank Chrome extension (affiliate link) lets you check keywords and analyze competitor listings while browsing Etsy. It's free to install but some features require Pro.

To install:

1. Search "eRank" in the Chrome Web Store
2. Click "Add to Chrome"
3. Sign in with your eRank account

How do you use eRank for keyword research?

This is where eRank shines. Here's how to find keywords that can actually drive traffic to your listings.

Step 1: Open the Keyword Explorer

From your eRank dashboard, click "Keyword Explorer" in the left menu. This is where you'll do most of your research.

Step 2: Enter a seed keyword

Type a broad term related to your product. For example, if you sell handmade candles, start with "soy candle" or "scented candle."

eRank will show you:

• Search frequency: How often this term is searched (relative scale, not exact numbers)
• Competition: How many listings exist for this keyword
• Click rate: What percentage of searches result in clicks
• Related keywords: Long-tail variations to consider

Step 3: Analyze the results

Look for keywords with decent search volume but manageable competition. The sweet spot is usually:

• High search frequency (green zone)
• Medium-low competition (not dominated by huge shops)
• Relevant to your actual product

Avoid keywords that are either too broad (massive competition) or too specific (no search volume).

Step 4: Check long-tail suggestions

Scroll down to see related keywords. These long-tail terms often have lower competition and higher buyer intent. For example:

• "soy candle" → 10,000+ competing listings
• "lavender soy candle gift set" → maybe 500 listings

The more specific the keyword, the easier it is to rank—but the smaller the potential audience.

Step 5: Save and organize your keywords

Click the star icon to save keywords to your list. You can create folders to organize by product type, season, or priority. Pro users can export lists as CSV files.

How do you audit your Etsy listings with eRank?

eRank's listing audit grades your titles, tags, and descriptions against SEO best practices.

Running an audit

1. Go to "Listing Audit" in the left menu
2. If your shop is connected, select a listing from the dropdown
3. If not connected, paste any Etsy listing URL

eRank analyzes your listing and assigns letter grades (A through F) for:

• Title optimization: Are you using strong keywords? Is the title the right length?
• Tag usage: Are you using all 13 tags? Any duplicates or wasted slots?
• Description: Does it include relevant keywords? Is it detailed enough?
• Photos: Quantity and order of images

Understanding the grades

Don't obsess over getting all A's. Even B-rated listings can rank well and sell. Focus on fixing D's and F's first.

Fixing common issues

Title too short: Etsy allows 140 characters. Use them. Front-load your best keywords.

Not using all 13 tags: Every unused tag is a missed opportunity. Fill all slots with relevant terms.

Duplicate tags: eRank flags when the same word appears in multiple tags. Each tag should target a different search term.

Missing keywords in description: Your description should naturally include your target keywords. Don't stuff—just write helpful product details.

For a platform-agnostic audit that works across Etsy, Amazon, and eBay, also try our free Listing Grader.

How do you track competitor shops with eRank?

Competitor tracking shows you what successful sellers in your niche are doing—their tags, titles, and estimated sales.

Adding competitors to track

1. Go to "Shop Analyzer" or "Competitor Tracking" in your dashboard
2. Enter a competitor's shop name or URL
3. Click "Add to Tracked Shops"

Free users can track up to 5 shops. Pro users get 50.

What you can learn from competitors

• Top-performing listings: Which of their products sell best?
• Tags they use: What keywords are they targeting?
• Price points: How do they position their products?
• Listing frequency: How often do they add new items?

Using competitor data ethically

Analyze competitor keywords to identify gaps in your own strategy—terms they rank for that you don't target. But don't copy listings word-for-word. That violates Etsy's policies and looks bad to buyers.

Use competitor insights to inspire original titles and descriptions, not replicate them.

How do you use Trend Buzz?

Trend Buzz shows rising search terms on Etsy. It's useful for catching seasonal trends before they peak.

Finding trends

1. Click "Trend Buzz" in the left menu
2. Browse categories or search for terms in your niche
3. Look for keywords with upward arrows (rising searches)

When to use trend data

Trend Buzz is most valuable for:

• Seasonal planning: See what's rising before holidays
• New product ideas: Spot emerging niches
• Timing your listings: Launch new products as trends start climbing

Keep in mind that trends move fast. By the time something shows as "trending," competition may already be increasing.

Common mistakes when using eRank

Even good tools can be misused. Here's what to avoid.

Treating eRank data as gospel

eRank's search volumes are estimates, not exact numbers. Etsy doesn't share real search data publicly. Use eRank to compare keywords against each other, not to predict exact sales.

Copying competitors too literally

Analyzing competitor tags is smart. Copy-pasting their titles is not. Buyers notice duplicate listings, and Etsy may penalize you for it.

Ignoring the free tier's limits

50 daily searches sounds like a lot until you're deep into keyword research. Pace yourself, or you'll hit the limit mid-session. Consider Pro if you're doing heavy research.

Optimizing for keywords you can't compete on

A high-volume keyword means nothing if the top results are established sellers with thousands of reviews. Sometimes the smaller, long-tail keyword is the better bet.

What to do after keyword research

Once you've found your keywords and audited your listings:

1. Update your titles and tags — Add the keywords you found
2. Rewrite descriptions — Include keywords naturally
3. Check your work — Run your updated listing through our free Listing Grader
4. Calculate your profit — Make sure your pricing covers Etsy's fees
5. Generate new listings — Use our AI listing generator to create optimized titles and descriptions fast

For more Etsy seller resources, visit our complete Etsy tools hub.

FAQ

Is eRank really free?

Yes, eRank has a permanent free tier with 50 keyword searches per day, basic listing audits, and competitor tracking for 5 shops. No credit card required. Pro ($9.99/mo) unlocks more searches and advanced features.

How long does it take to learn eRank?

Most sellers get comfortable with keyword research and listing audits within an hour. The interface has a lot of tabs, but you don't need to use everything—focus on Keyword Explorer and Listing Audit first.

Can eRank guarantee my listings will rank?

No tool can guarantee Etsy rankings. eRank gives you data to make better keyword decisions, but ranking depends on many factors: listing quality, shop reputation, photos, reviews, and Etsy's algorithm.

Does eRank work on mobile?

eRank has a mobile-responsive website but no dedicated app. The Chrome extension only works on desktop. For serious keyword research, use a computer.

How accurate is eRank's search volume data?

Directionally accurate—good for comparing keywords. But Etsy doesn't share exact search volumes, so treat eRank numbers as estimates. They're most useful for ranking keywords against each other, not predicting exact traffic.

Should I upgrade to eRank Pro?

If you're hitting the 50-search limit regularly, or you want to track more than 5 competitors, Pro is worth it at $9.99/mo. But most new sellers can accomplish a lot on Free first.

What's the difference between eRank and Marmalead?

eRank offers a free tier and shows historical data. Marmalead costs $19/mo with no free tier and focuses on predictive analytics. For a full comparison, see our eRank vs Marmalead guide.

Does eRank integrate with other platforms?

eRank is Etsy-only. It doesn't support Amazon, eBay, or Shopify. For multi-platform selling, you'll need separate tools for each marketplace.

Last updated: January 28, 2026. Features and pricing verified at time of writing.