Getting more favorites on Etsy is more important than likes on Instagram. Favorites play a role in Etsy’s search algorithm, influencing where your listings appear in search results. More engagement means better visibility, and better visibility means more chances to make a sale.
In this guide, we’ll break down why favorites matter and, more importantly, how to get more Etsy favorites for your shop.
Why Do Etsy Favorites Matter?
Favorites act as an engagement signal to Etsy. When shoppers interact with your listing—whether by clicking, favoriting, or purchasing—Etsy takes note. Listings with higher engagement are seen as more relevant and tend to rank higher in search results.
Here’s how Etsy evaluates listing engagement:
- Clicks – Does your product catch attention?
- Favorites – Are people interested enough to save it for later?
- Add to Cart – Are they considering a purchase?
- Purchases – Are they actually buying?
More engagement (especially purchases) tells Etsy that shoppers love your product, which helps boost your ranking over time.
6 Ways to Get More Favorites on Etsy
#1. Optimize Your Listings for Search (SEO)
Shoppers can’t favorite your product if they can’t find it. That’s where Etsy SEO comes in.
Here’s how to optimize your Etsy listings for search:
- Use the Right Keywords: Find high-traffic, low-competition keywords using Marmalead.
- Optimize Your Titles & Tags: Use all 13 tags, front-load key terms in your title, and include variations.
- Fill Out Attributes: Etsy’s built-in filters (color, material, style) act as extra keywords and increase your chances of showing up in search results.
- Write Strong Descriptions: Etsy now scans listing descriptions for keywords, so include important terms naturally in the first sentence.
Pro Tip: Listings that show up in search get more clicks and favorites—so nailing your Etsy SEO is the first step to boosting engagement.
#2. Use High-Quality Photos That Get Clicks
Your product images are the first thing shoppers see. If your listing doesn’t stand out, it won’t get clicks—or favorites.
What makes a good Etsy photo?
- Bright, high-resolution images: Poor lighting = fewer clicks.
- Multiple angles: Use all 10 image slots to show details.
- Lifestyle shots: Help shoppers visualize how your product fits into their lives.
- Mobile-friendly composition: Most Etsy traffic comes from mobile users, so ensure images look good on smaller screens.
Make sure to test different thumbnail images—sometimes, changing your main photo can increase your favorite count dramatically.
#3. Add a Call-to-Action (CTA) to Your Listing
Shoppers don’t always think about favoriting a product unless you remind them to do so. It’s not fool-proof but it works.
Easy ways to encourage more favorites:
- In your description: “Love this item? Tap the ❤️ to save it for later!”
- In your listing images: Add a text overlay on one image that says, “❤️ Favorite this item to find it easily later!”
- In your shop announcement: “Follow our shop and favorite items you love to stay updated on new releases and exclusive discounts!”
#4. Promote Your Listings on Social Media
More traffic = more engagement = more favorites. Social media for Etsy is a great way to bring in potential buyers who are already interested in what you sell.
Best platforms for Etsy sellers:
- Instagram & TikTok – Post short videos showing your products in action.
- Pinterest – Create keyword-rich pins that drive long-term traffic.
- Facebook Groups & Reddit – Share your products naturally in relevant communities (but try not to spam).
Pro Tip: Add a direct link to your Etsy shop in your bio (Instagram) or pin descriptions (Pinterest) so shoppers can easily favorite your listings.
#5. Use Etsy’s Built-In Marketing Tools
Etsy provides several features that help sellers increase engagement.
- Automated Coupons for Favoriters: Set up an offer for shoppers who favorite your items but don’t purchase.
- Run a Sale on Favorited Items: Etsy notifies favoriters when a discounted item they saved goes on sale.
- Etsy Ads: Promoting best-selling listings can bring in more clicks and favorites, boosting your overall ranking.
#6. Turn Favorites into Sales
Getting more favorites is great, but the end goal is more sales.
Here’s how to convert those favoriters in buyers:
- Time-sensitive discounts: “Limited-time offer for favoriters: 15% off today!”
- Follow-up emails: If you have an email list, send reminders about favorited items.
- Bundle deals: “Buy two or more and save 10%!” can turn a favorited item into a purchase.
Over To You
Favorites boost visibility, but they work best when combined with clicks and purchases. The more engagement your listings get, the better they’ll perform in Etsy’s search rankings.
Here’s your action plan:
- Add a CTA in your descriptions and images.
- Start sharing your listing on social media.
- Set up an automated coupon for favoriters.
- Test different product images to see which resonate better.
- Monitor your Etsy Shop Stats and adjust as needed.
Give these strategies a shot to increase favorites, improve search ranking, and drive more sales. As always, happy selling!
