How to write a listing that gets seen in search results on Folksy

In this post we look at how to create a product listing that will get found on Folksy and explain how our Search algorithm works. We also guide you through the listing process, help you write a stellar title and description, explain the role tags play, and share tips that will get your products closer to the top of more search results. The advice here is geared towards being found on searches within Folksy, but following these suggestions can also help you get seen on Google and other search engines too.

So if you’ve ever wondered why your products aren’t appearing in search results, this post should give you the answers and practical steps you can take to change that.

How the Folksy Search algorithm works

When someone types a query into the Search bar on Folksy, the algorithm first looks for all results that match that query. It looks for words matching that search query in:

1. Title
2. Section, Category & Subcategory
3. Tags
4. Description

It then ranks those results by relevance and quality, considering:

1. Match – spelling mistakes, apostrophes, plurals (eg ‘women’s braclet’)
2. Typos & Exactness – words that most closely match the search query
3. Where those words appear – do the words typed into the search query appear in a) the title; b) the category; c) the tags; d) the description?

Think about the algorithm as calculator. The more points your items or shops gets, the higher up it is displayed in search results. When someone types something into Search, it runs through everything on Folksy and gives it a score. The search algorithm has to be able to score thousands of shops and hundreds of thousands of items, lots of times per second, and respond to each keystroke as people are typing.

Example:

Someone searches for “wooden chopping board” on Folksy.

• The algorithm first looks for all instances of the words “wooden” “chopping” and “board” across Folksy.
• It then does the same for common spelling mistakes, plurals and apostrophes.
• The Folksy Search algorithm assigns points to each result based on the appearance of that search query in all of the fields considered, eg. if a listing has “wooden” “chopping” and “board” in the title, description and tags, it will get maximum points. The number of times the words appear in each field is not significant.
• If there aren’t any items that match all of the words, it will then look for items that match some of the words, giving partial matches.

Other Considerations:

Additional considerations are included to return the best quality results. These include:

• Length of title – titles with more than 20 characters are given a higher weighting than shorter ones
• Comprehensive description – descriptions over 250 characters are given a higher weighting than shorter ones
• High-quality photos – listings with really good images may be weighted slightly within the rankings

Not Considered

The following factors are not taken into account when returning search results:

• Recency – how recently you listed or updated a listing is not a factor.
• Plus or basic account – Plus accounts are not prioritised over Basic accounts in search results.
• Postage costs or zones – Items with free postage are not prioritised. Ideally we would like to show customers from other countries any items that are available to ship to their country first, but currently this is not possible.
• Featured seller – Whether a shop has been ‘featured’ by Folksy is not currently a factor in results.
• Inspiration section – The algorithm does not look at words in the ‘Inspiration’ section, so put all your most important information in the description.

What if lots of items have the same score?

Sometimes for broad searches where there are thousands of results there might be multiple items with exactly the same score. In these cases, the results with the same score would usually be shown in an arbitrary but consistent order (ie the order of those items doesn’t change). However, we have now introduced a system which periodically shakes up this arbitrary ordering of thee same-score results, so that each item with the same score has an equal chance of appearing at the top of search results.

As always, having brilliant product photographs is the best way to stand out on any Search pages.

Tags:

When adding tags to your items on Folksy, it’s useful to consider the following:

• Material and colour tags – These are also not currently considered as part of the “Tag String” by the algorithm, so put all the most important tags in the Tags section. Note: this may change.
• One word or phrases – The algorithm looks for the words in a listing’s tags that match the query. It doesn’t matter if these are single-word tags or a combination of words.

Tips:

• Try not to fixate on one particular search query – It’s great to optimise your listings for specific searches but the risk is that by only focusing on one search term, you might skew your listings so much that you don’t appear in other search terms.
• Identify a range of search queries relevant to your pieces – Think about occasions and different recipients, as well as ways to describe your products physically.
• Try not to worry about being the top result but aim to be ‘above the fold’ for these queries.
• Have great images – Invest time in making sure your images are amazing, so they stand out to prospective buyers among all the results.
• Use synonyms – You don’t get extra points for additional repetitions of words, so think of other synonyms you can include instead.
• Try to make each title unique.
• Always work on having the best quality listings you can, particularly as the algorithm can change. The criteria for Search on Folksy evolve in response to results, feedback and ongoing experimentation, so a good rule of thumb is to always ensure your titles and descriptions are comprehensive, full and descriptive, your images are amazing and you have a good range of tags that cover as many relevant keywords* as possible.

*What are keywords? Keywords are the words and phrases people are actually typing into search engines. Read more about keywords here.

How to optimise your listings to appear in Folksy search results

When creating a listing on Folksy, there are steps you can take to boost its chances of being seen in search results. Here are four of the most important considerations, along with tips and a checklist for each.

1. Choose the right category and sub-category

Reversible tote bag by Carry Stuff

The first thing you need to do is choose which category and sub-category your listing should appear in:

Always choose the most relevant categories for your item – this is important, not only because shoppers often browse by category, but also because the category and sub-category an item is in influence where it ranks in a search on Folksy.

For example, if someone searches for “floral tote bag”, an item that is listed in the ‘tote bags’ subcategory (which is in the ‘sleeves and bags’ category, in the ‘Clothing & Accessories’ department) will feature higher in the search results than the same item listed in an different sub-category.

You can only choose one category or sub-category for each item.

Tip: If you have similar products that fit in more than one category, try listing them in different sub-categories (as long as they are appropriate!) and see which ones get the most views and sales. 

2. Write a clear and comprehensive title

Blackberry Necklace by Gracie Flo Jewellery

The title has more weight than the other factors – in other words, the title is the most important factor for search results.

If the words in an item’s title match the words in a customer’s search, that item will be displayed as a result in the search. Where it ranks depends on other factors – detailed above.

• Make your title really clear, descriptive and easy to read. 
• Ask friends or family to describe your product to you and what would they type into a search engine to find it. Use this feedback to write your title.
• Think carefully about which searches you want to rank for, and include words related to that search in your title. 
• Avoid using your own reference numbers etc in titles as no one will be searching for those and it can confuse the customer.
• Steer clear of one word titles like ‘cushion’ as these really limit the searches you will appear in.

Example: if you make glass suncatchers, a title like “Stained glass barn owl suncatcher – handmade hanging decoration” will show up in lots more searches than simply “Owl suncatcher” or even “Stained glass owl”.  By having more relevant words in your title, you increase the likelihood of your product being found.

Title Checklist:

• Have you said clearly what the item is?
• Is your title easy to read?
• Have you asked a friend or family member (or another seller on the Folksy forum) how they would describe your item and what words they would type into the search box to find your item?
• Have you included different ways of describing your product (eg suncatcher, stained glass, hanging decoration)
• If there is more than one way to spell your item or an alternative spelling, does your title include the most popular one for your audience (eg ladybird not ladybug)?
• Have you spell-checked your title?
• Have you included any occasions, events or celebrations it’s particularly relevant for (eg Valentine’s Day gift, fifth wedding anniversary present or stocking filler)
• Is the wording in your title unique and not duplicated in another listing or on another site?

3. Write a thorough and detailed description

Owl Cuff by Claire Gent

As well as being your chance to tell a customer everything they need to know about your product, your description is a great opportunity to include lots of ‘keywords’* that a shopper might use to find your product and ensure your listing appears in more searches.

*’Keywords’ is just the fancy name for the words and phrases people would use to find your product – read more about them here.

Once you’ve identified the keywords for your product (find out how to do that here), incorporate them in your description. Make sure you write a description for a real-life human being – don’t just stuff it with lists of words or repetitions.

Description Checklist:

• Have you described the item as accurately and fully as possible?
• Have you included the different words and phrases someone would use to find your product in easy-to-read sentences?
• Have you included synonyms?
• Are there other words that might be relevant that you haven’t mentioned? (eg for hare, that might be rabbit, bunny, bunnies, animal, woodland animal, British countryside)
• Have included common alternative spellings, variations or US spellings? (eg lampshade, lamp shade)
• Have you spell-checked your description?
• Is the wording in your description unique and different from others listings here or on other sites?
• Have you mentioned any occasions, events or celebrations your item may be relevant for? (eg Mother’s Day, Silver Wedding Anniversary, housewarming gift)

4. Use all your tags

Owler Tor from Longshaw, original ink sketch by Sian Hughes

You can add 15 tags to each of your listings.

• Use commas to separate your tags.
• Do not add the # sign before tags.
• Use both one-word tags and multiple-word tags. 
• Include a mix of niche and broad tags (in the example above, ‘Longshaw’ is a niche tag, whereas ‘landscape paintings’ is more broad.)
• Consider the order of your tags – put the most important ones first.
• The Search algorithm does not currently consider tags in the ‘Materials’ and ‘Colours’ section, so include any keywords related to those in the general tags section.

You can read more about tags on Folksy and how to use them here >

Tag Checklist:

• Have you used all your 15 tags?
• Have you used one-word and multiple-word tags?
• Have you included a range of tags that describe the type of product it is? (eg ink sketch, landscape painting, original painting / silver earrings, hoop earrings, / hanging planter, ceramic planter, vase, macramé planter)
• Have you included common alternative spellings, variations or US spellings? (eg notepad, note pad)
• Have you included both niche and broad tags?
• Have you included a mix of singular and plural tags?
• Have you included gift suggestions?

As well as ranking well in search results, one of the best ways to get seen is to be featured by Folksy. 
Discover how you can get your products featured on Folksy in this blog post > 

Featured image: Silver Arrow Earrings by Sarah Lucie Jewellery

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Read these related blog posts about listings:

How to write good product descriptions

Why you should never copy and paste listing descriptions or titles

Tags on Folksy – what they are and how to use them

Selling Craft online – a simple checklist

Find more information about how to list an item on Folksy and manage stock here > 

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