A Reseller’s Guide to Keywords and SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the most important part of reselling.

If buyers can't find your items, you won't make sales. Optimizing your titles, descriptions, and listing details is the key to selling on marketplaces like Poshmark, eBay, Depop, Etsy, Mercari, Shopify, and more!

This is your reseller's guide to SEO. In this article, we'll explore the importance of SEO, how marketplace search engines work, and how to optimize listings to make more sales! 💵

Main Takeaways: Reseller SEO

• SEO is essential – If buyers can’t find your items in search, they can’t buy them. SEO is the key to sales.
• Titles, descriptions, and hashtags matter most – Use clear, keyword-rich language and trendy hashtags.
• Complete every field – Treat optional fields (like item specifics) as required to boost search visibility across marketplaces.
• Think like a buyer – Use simple, commonly searched terms rather than niche or overly specific language.
• Photos impact SEO – Use clear, well-lit, centered images with plain backgrounds.
• Avoid emojis and custom entries – These confuse search engines and reduce visibility in filtered searches.
• Relevance + Recency = Results – Listings that match search terms and are frequently updated or relisted rank higher.

Check out this webinar from Vendoo's Reselling Reinvented Event. Reseller SEO expert Erynn covers the ins and outs of maximizing listings 👇🏽

What is Search Engine Optimization for Resellers?

Search engine optimization (SEO) can be a complex topic, but in the world of reselling, it’s simply the process of getting your listings to appear higher in search results. Since search is the primary way buyers discover listings, improving your search ranking can lead to more visibility, traffic, and sales.

🧠 Think about it: When a buyer searches for “Lululemon Align Leggings,” thousands of results appear. The goal is to optimize your listings to yield as close to the top of the search as possible to increase the likelihood that a buyer will see it and purchase. 

The most important areas of SEO for resellers include:

• Optimized Titles: Create clear, keyword-rich titles that accurately describe your item. Think about what buyers are likely to type into the search bar and include those terms.

• Keyword-Driven Descriptions: Your listing description should naturally include relevant keywords and characteristics that buyers might search for. 

• Effective Hashtag Use: On marketplaces that support hashtags, use relevant and trending tags to increase your listing’s visibility in search and category pages.

• Detailed Item Specifics: Fill out all available item specifics (such as brand, size, color, material, and condition). These fields help search engines better categorize and surface your item.

• High-Quality, Optimized Photos: Clear, centered, and well-lit photos against a plain, light-colored background are ideal. They help search engine algorithms and marketplace AI accurately detect, categorize, and display your items in relevant search results.

SEO refers to search engines on individual marketplaces such as Poshmark, eBay, and Etsy, but don’t forget about major search engines such as Google.

👀 Did you know: Most sales happen as a direct result of a search performed by the buyer? 

Reseller SEO

SEO is everything. If your listings are not optimized, then your items are not appearing in as many searches, and you're missing out on sales.

Sales do not happen by chance- they happen because your listing was suggested to a prospective buyer based on your listing details.

To illustrate the importance of titles and descriptions, let’s play a little game: I call this the “Black Dress Test.” 

The Black Dress Test:

The idea here is that you are a buyer looking for a dress for a particular occasion. Decide what your occasion is, and let's go shopping! 

1. Open up eBay, Poshmark, Google, or wherever you shop and type "Black Dress" in the search bar: 

As you might imagine, I received over 50,000 black dresses. I quickly became overwhelmed scrolling through dresses that aren't anything like what I'm looking for. As a buyer, I’ve quickly learned that I need to narrow the scope of my search.

2. At this point, the average buyer does one of two things: they either (1) use the filters on the app to narrow their search by style, size, etc., or (2) add more words to the search bar. 

I added the word "work" to my search to see more dresses that are like what I'm looking for. 

⭐️ At this point, if your title and/or description don't have the word "work," I will not see the dress you have for sale in my search. 

3. This process is simply going to repeat itself. Buyers will continue to apply filters and/or add words to the search to narrow the results to find what they're looking for.

I added the words "long sleeve" and "professional" to my search, and I filtered by "long sleeve dresses" to narrow the results.

⭐️ At this point, I was only shown dresses that had the words "long sleeve" and "professional," and that also were listed under the "Long Sleeve" sub-category. 

Ultimately landed on a dress, exactly what I was looking for! 

Notice how just a few keywords made all the difference? I'm sure I never saw a ton of amazing, long-sleeved, professional work dresses because the listings weren't optimized.

Let's explore how to maximize your listings to appear in more searches! 

How To Maximize SEO for Resellers

As we saw in the “Black Dress Test, the words in your title and description have a crucial role in your visibility and sales. Maximizing your listings is the key to making more sales on marketplaces like Poshmark, eBay, Depop, Mercari, Etsy, Vinted, and all of them. 

This is a general guide, but it's important to understand that SEO functions differently across various reselling marketplaces. Each platform has its own unique algorithm and set of rules that influence how listings appear in search results.

SEO also behaves differently on all search engines and even for different users. Some marketplaces prioritize buyers' preferences based on their account activity.

While the exact mechanics behind search engine algorithms remain a mystery, two key factors consistently influence SEO rankings: relevance and recency.

• Relevance refers to how closely your listing matches the buyer’s search terms.

• Recency refers to how new or recently updated your listing is—whether it was just posted, relisted, shared, refreshed, bumped, or renewed.

💡Tip: Relist your items frequently to rank higher in search engines and boost sales. Use a tool like Vendoo that offers bulk delisting & relisting! 

In addition to relevance and recency, several other factors can impact where your listing appears in search results, including:

• Paid Promotion: Many marketplaces offer advertising or promotional tools (like Poshmark’s "Promoted Closet" or eBay's "Promoted Listings"). Paying to boost a listing can increase its visibility by placing it higher in search results or featuring it in more places across the marketplace.
• Account Type and Seller Status: Some marketplaces reward top-rated, verified, or professional sellers with better search placement. Factors like fast shipping, high ratings, and consistent activity can all improve your seller status and increase visibility.
• Buyer and Seller's Location: Many search engines prioritize results that are geographically closer to the buyer. This is especially common with marketplaces that offer local pickup or aim to reduce shipping time.
• Filters Applied by the Buyer: If a buyer uses filters (such as brand, size, color, price range, or condition), only listings that match those specific criteria will be shown, no matter how optimized your SEO is.
• Price: Competitive pricing can affect how your listing ranks. Items priced too high may be filtered out or pushed lower in results, especially if similar items are listed at a lower price point.
• Popularity of the Item: Items that are in high demand or frequently searched tend to perform better in search results. Additionally, listings with more likes, saves, or views may be prioritized as the algorithm sees them as more appealing to buyers.
• Cover Photo: Your first photo (the one shown in search results) has a major impact. A clear, well-lit cover photo with a lightly-colored background can lead to more clicks and better ranking.
• AI-Driven Ranking Rules: Many marketplaces use artificial intelligence to personalize and adjust search rankings based on past buyer behavior, preferences, and performance data. This means the same listing might appear differently for two buyers based on their browsing history or shopping habits.

There are also likely factors that we just don't know. A marketplace might choose to promote a particular brand or category more heavily in search results. 

SEO Reseller Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips for enhancing your listings across marketplaces such as Poshmark, eBay, Etsy, and More

1. Describe your items as if you don't have photographs. Your listings should be so rich in keywords that you can read the description and vividly picture the item in your head. This means a lot of adjectives!

2. Describe colors and patterns. According to Google Shopping data, one of the most common ways shoppers search for clothing is by color and pattern. Instead of using vague terms like “multi-color,” be specific—list all the colors featured in the item to improve your chances of appearing in relevant search results.

3. Describe potential occasions. Another popular way that shoppers search for clothing is by occasion. Be sure to include if your item is casual or formal- and beyond that, the types of events or occasions that the item is suited for.

4. Use the brand's title and style name. A great way to increase views is to learn the actual title, style name, or style ID of your items. This refers to the title given by the brand. Buyers are often searching for a deal on a specific item, and having the title means your listing will yield in their search!

💡Tip: Use Google Lens on the Google Photos app to image search for your item to find its title, style name, and other key details for your listings.

5. Complete all drop-down fields. Treat every optional listing field as if it were required. If the platform prompts you to fill something out, it’s because that information helps surface your item in search results. While filling in these fields can be time-consuming, it's a critical step in maximizing your listings' visibility and performance.

5. Use great cover photos.
Looks matter—not just for visual appeal, but also for how your listing ranks in search results. Your cover photo plays a major role in SEO.

A strong cover photo should be:

• Clear and in focus
• Well-lit
• High-resolution
• Set against a plain, light-colored background
• Centered on the item
• Focused in perspective (i.e. not angled)
• Free of props or text
• Not a collage

👀 Did you know that search engines use AI to analyze images and identify the subject of an image? That’s why a Google search for “red shirt” can return listings labeled “crimson blouse”—even if the words "red" or "shirt" don’t appear. The AI can visually detect what’s in the image. However, cluttered backgrounds, added text, or props can confuse the AI, misidentify the subject, and hurt your ranking. Keep it clean and focused to help your item stand out.

💡Tip: If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a million. Listing videos provide more detail and cause your listings to appear in more searches!

6. Don't use emoijs. Emojis destroy SEO. Search engines do not register most emojis, they are unknown characters that disrupt your keyword sequence. They can harm your rankings. 

💡Tip: For this same reason, you shouldn't use bulleted lists. To optimize visibility, your descriptions should be in sentence form.

7. Don't forget the basics. Many sellers forget the basics, especially those that can be photographed on tags like the size, material, and measurements. Buyers search this way, so you want all of this typed in your description, not just photographed. 

💡Tip: There are many tools, such as Semrush, UberSuggest, Moz, among others, that report the statistics about which words are most commonly searched. Cyber statistics and SEO research are very interesting stuff!

8. Size Matters. The length of your title and description is essential. While you want to maximize the value of every character and keyword opportunity, you do not want Google to break off your search results. Thankfully, most marketplaces include character limits that will prevent you from exceeding the recommended length. But, don't be too brief!

9. Spelling Counts! Points for Spelling and Grammar. Spelling and Grammar matter. Most marketplace search engines do not include spellcheck or yield similar results; instead, they prioritize exact matches. Typos and misplaced words are damaging to SEO.

💡Tip: This might sound surprising, but sometimes it's helpful to include commonly used variations of words—even if they're not grammatically perfect. For example, the luxury brand Maison Hermès includes an accent, but many buyers will search for it without one. Including both “Hermès” and “Hermes” in your description can improve your visibility.

Similarly, while “button-down” is technically correct, many people search for “button down” without the hyphen. Using both versions ensures your listing shows up in more searches.

10. Avoid using custom entries in listing fields. While many marketplaces offer pre-populated options for fields like size, category, and style, some also allow you to type in your own. Don’t do it! Custom entries won’t show up in search filters, which means your item could be excluded from filtered results—greatly reducing visibility. Always stick to the marketplace's suggested options to ensure your listing is fully searchable.

11. Hashtags are everything. Using popular, trending, style-based hashtags is key to exposure. 

⭐️ Not great with hashtags? We've got you covered. Keep up to date with trending hashtags, style keywords, and aesthetics in The Reseller's Guide to Cores & Aesthetics. 

Most importantly: Think like a buyer. Because SEO is based upon search results, consider how people search for things. While it is true that the more detail, the better, make sure the detail is not too advanced or prohibitively specific. 

When I say “think like a buyer,” I’m referring to the average shopper—not a professional reseller. Most buyers aren’t searching for terms like “Glen Check Plaid Periwinkle Duster.” Instead, they use simple, SEO-friendly keywords such as “plaid,” “blue,” or “blazer.” In your description, use both advanced terms and straightforward, commonly searched terms will make your listings more discoverable.

Advanced SEO for Resellers

For example, if you are selling a 1993 Disney Denim Jacket with Mickey Mouse and Friends, consider the following titles:

1. 1990s Vintage Disney Mickey Mouse Denim Jacket Women's Small Jean Jacket 
2. Vintage 1993 Jean Jacket Mickey Characters Small 

⭐️Description 1. will rank much higher, because:

• The words “vintage” and Disney” appear next to each other, and will be yielded when people search for “Vintage Disney” anything. 
• Disney must be included in the title. Disney is a classic, famous, and loved brand.
• Using the general decade, the 1990s, rather than the specific year, 1993, will generate more exposure.
• Including “Mickey Mouse” will yield higher results in more searches for the popular Disney character. In fact, in the description, you should list all of the characters that appear.
• Including the gender will help this listing to yield in more relevant searches.
• The first title includes both "jean jacket" and "denim jacket" to appear under searches for either. 

💡Tip: “Description A” above demonstrates long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are specific keyword terms and phrases that drive more relevant and qualitative traffic to your listings. With long-tail keywords, the words and phrases are specific to your exact item instead of the classic considerations. You should consider long-tail keywords and phrases in your title, but maximize your description with classic SEO keywords.

For example, the listing description for the Disney Jacket should likely include the words: 

• Vintage
• 1990s Style
• Disney (and all characters by name)
• Denim Jacket & Jean Jacket
• Casual
• Size, size type, and gender
• Embroidered
• Colors of images
• Keywords like: Walt Disney World, Disney Land, American Vintage, Classic, Retro, and more!

These terms are not long-tail keywords but valuable characters to enhance SEO ranking and exposure.

Did you know Vendoo offers resellers 11 marketplaces? Put your SEO to work with Vendoo!

You might also be interested in the article 11 Great Marketplaces Every Reseller Should Consider!

Reseller SEO: How to Use Keywords to Maximize Exposure and Make Sales

While photographs and description drop-down fields are important, it is really about the title and description. Each character in your title and description is a valuable asset that you can skillfully use to generate exposure and profit.  

💡Tip: On eBay, it’s not about the description but the title and the item specifics! On most others, the description is as important as the title. 

Consider the following example listing descriptions:

Description A: Poor

Frame mid-rise dark wash flared jeans. Flattering and cute jeans in excellent condition. Size 2.

Description B: Better 

Frame Designer Jeans. Dark wash denim jeans, high rise with 5 pockets and button fly. Flattering and slimming jeans in excellent condition. Cotton and polyester blend, with some stretch. Size 2

Approximate Measurements: Waist 24 Inseam 30.5

Description C: Best 

Frame Le High Flared Jeans in color Sutherland Size 2  with 24” Waist. Dark wash mid-rise to high rise flared leg jeans. Super wide leg jeans. Slimming jeans with contouring and tummy control. Skinny leg, high waist,  comfortable, perfect fit jeans. Casual or semi-formal with super dark wash. 

• Size 2
• Cotton, Polyester, Spandex Blend (Stretchy Jeans)
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Retail Value: $209
• Frame Style ID LHSUTH

Approximate Measurements:

• Waist Approx. 24”
• Hips Approx. 29”
• Inseam Approx. 30.5”
• Rise Approx. 9.5”

Flared Jeans Bell Bottoms Vintage Inspired Designer Jeans Y2k Aesthetic Dark Wash Jeans Slimming Waist High Waisted High Rise Dark Wash Casual Frame Denim Frame Jeans Authentic Designer

Offers Accepted!

Bundle Discounts!

Fast Shipping!

Worldwide Shipping!

Sustainable Business!

5 Star Seller!

Why is description C the best? It is not just because it is longer, but because it has so many more details and keywords. Description C features tons of additional words that a buyer may type into the search bar, including the designer’s style name and colorway, measurements, materials, and keywords.  

Here, I “word-dumped” at the end of my description. Word-dumping is perfectly fine, so long as you dump relevant words. 👌🏽 If you're dumping words that aren't relevant, not only will it not help you, but you might jeopardize your account for "keyword stuffing."  

Rather than incorporating all of the adjectives into a jumbled mess, I included the most important and relevant information at the top and included keywording at the bottom for higher visibility.

💡Tip: Did you notice the promotional language at the bottom of the listing? The verbiage about discounts, shipping, ratings, and my promotional code might help to make sales! Don’t be afraid to include some marketing materials in your listings (in the description or the photographs)

Popular eBay, Depop, and Poshmark Keywords 

Sometimes, thinking of keywords is easy. As a general rule, describe your item as if your listing does not include images, and your description will inevitably be full of keywords. But with some items, it can be more difficult to think of keywords and descriptors.

To brainstorm keywords for your product listings, consider the following:

1. Item: What is it?

Don’t forget to include the item! You would be surprised how many listings for dresses on Poshmark do not even include the word “dress.” This is easy to forget, but crucial for SEO.

2. Item Type: What type is it? 

Style type is important because that is how buyers search. Consider necklines, hemlines, lengths, or style names. For example, they’re never just “jeans.” They’re skinny jeans, straight-leg jeans, boot-cut jeans, flared jeans, etc. 

3. Style Aesthetic: What style is it? 

Consider if this item is preppy, classic, edgy, goth, bohemian, cottage core, streetwear, cosplay, y2k, retro, or may fit into any of the “cores” or “aesthetics” that are trending online.

💡Tip:  Bookmark this article: The Reseller’s Guide to Cores & Style Aesthetics.  This is your guide to trending hashtags and style aesthetics. 

4. Age: How old is it?

This is particularly beneficial when something is super old or super new, but especially with vintage. When possible, reference the decade or date period on your vintage listings.

💡Tip: Even if you know the dress is from the 1990s... you might say "circa 1980s to 1990s" to benefit from both decade keywords!

5. Brand: What brand is it, and what store is it from? 

This is particularly important when the brand is popular. Do not leave the brand to the brand dropdown, but include it in your title and description.

Don't forget the store. Many stores sell different brands. Keywords like "Revolve," "Neiman Marcus," "Nordstrom," "Urban Outfitters," and "Francesca's" can be super helpful for ranking.

💡Tip:  For uncommon and unknown vintage brands, I recommend that you use the brand “Vintage” (eBay, Poshmark, Vinted, Grailed) or “American Vintage” (Depop, Mercari). While some brands have loyal followings, modern shoppers don't even know the brand- they just know they are looking for cool vintage. 

6. Size and Fit: What size is it, and how does it fit? 

Again, people search by size, so it should be written regardless of it being included elsewhere in a listing dropdown.

If your sizing is unique, be sure to highlight that. For example, items that are maternity, petite, plus size, big and tall size, one size, oversized, “baby fit”, or anything outside of a typical sizing scale, those words are important for searchability. 

7. Color: What color is it? 

Everyone searches by color. In a listing for a dress, you might include that the color be defined as “burgundy, maroon, wine red, or a plum purple dark red blend.” Similarly, rather than describing something as multi-color, you may list every color that appears for maximized searchability.

8. Pattern: Is there a print or pattern?

Similarly, people love styles. Include all relevant adjectives you can, such as striped, plaid, polka dot, chevron, etc. This is particularly true of knits, such as cable knit, classic knit, open knit, exploded knit, waffle knit, and ribbed. 

9. Material Content: What material is it? 

Do not just photograph the material tag on your item; type the words! This is especially important when discussing a trending or desirable material such as linen, velvet, or merino wool.

10. Occasion: Where would one wear this?

Buyers commonly search by occasion or formality, as they are always looking for an appropriate ensemble for a particular event or environment. Be sure to include the formality (formal, casual, business casual, professional) or even the event at which one would wear something (such as club dress, girl’s night out, bachelorette, party dress, cocktail dress, New Year’s Eve, etc.)

Other Ways to Find Keywords 

If you aren’t well-versed in the many style names, patterns, or all of the “aesthetics” coined by Gen Z, here are some ways to find more keywords:

1. Look at what is trending. Look online, at magazines, or go window shopping. Right now, you will see straight leg, wide leg, and flared jeans, neutral and basic colors, athleisure and comfort clothes, and more.  All of these words are trending and highly searched!
   
   
2. Look at the Designer or Brand’s Descriptions. Search your item on Google and find a retail listing, which will inevitably be packed full of style descriptors and keywords that you can use!
   
   
3. Look at Other Active Listings and Sellers. It is always helpful to browse similar listings and see the descriptions other sellers use for inspiration.
   
   
4. Use Google Lens. If you’re not sure of the name of a pattern or style, use Google Photos to do a reverse image search. While you may not find your exact item, you will find similar items that will provide you with keywording ideas.
   
   
5. Think Like a Buyer. Before you publish your description, think of which words you would type into the search bar if you wanted to find your item. Include all of those words and similar combinations of them.

Keywords for Selling on eBay

eBay is a unique marketplace when it comes to SEO. Unlike most marketplaces, eBay does not make your listing description searchable by default. Instead, your visibility depends heavily on your title, item specifics, and—if you choose to pay for it—an optional sub-title.

The good news? eBay’s listing form is designed to help with SEO. Those often-overlooked item specifics are where your keywords live. Take the time to carefully complete your listing, reviewing every available item specific and filling out as many as possible.

💡Tip: You can enter multiple values for a single item specific field (e.g., "blazer, jacket" under style). This can significantly increase your chances of appearing in a wider range of search results.

Optimizing both your title and item specifics is absolutely essential for success on eBay.

Make More Sales by Optimizing Your Titles & Descriptions

Whether you're focused on Poshmark SEO, eBay SEO, Etsy SEO, or any other marketplace, it all comes down to keywords. 

Resellers, SEO is the foundation of your visibility and sales. Buyers can’t purchase what they can’t find, which means every title, description, dropdown field, keyword, and cover photo counts. Taking the time to optimize your listings will directly impact your exposure and profit.

By thinking like a buyer, using strategic keywords, completing all listing fields, and taking high-quality photos, you can position your listings to appear in more searches—and convert those views into sales.

Remember: SEO isn’t a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process of refining your listings, staying current with search trends, and constantly improving.

The better your SEO, the better your business will perform. So start optimizing today—and let your listings do the selling for you!

Do you have any SEO or keywording tips or tricks? Share them below! 👇🏽

Discover how Vendoo helps resellers scale their reselling business!

A Reseller's Guide to Keywords & SEO FAQ:

What is reseller SEO?

Reseller SEO refers to the strategies and techniques used to optimize your product listings so they appear higher in search results on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, Etsy, and Depop. This includes using relevant keywords, filling out item specifics, and using high-quality photos to help search engines and marketplace algorithms better understand your listings.

Why is SEO important for resellers?

SEO for resellers is critical because the majority of sales happen as a result of a buyer's search. If your listings aren’t optimized for search, they won’t be seen—no matter how great your items are. Proper SEO increases visibility, traffic, and ultimately, conversions.

How does search engine optimization for resellers differ by marketplace?

Search engine optimization for resellers varies depending on the marketplace. For example, eBay relies heavily on titles and item specifics, while Poshmark prioritizes title and description evenly. On Depop, there isn't a title field, but hashtags are key. Understanding each platform’s algorithm is key to maximizing exposure.

What are the best keywords for selling on eBay?

The best keywords for selling on eBay are clear, commonly searched terms that describe the item’s brand, style, size, color, material, and occasion. Include specific terms. In addition, the item specific field options are built-in keywords. 

How can I find popular eBay, Depop, and Poshmark keywords?

To find popular eBay, Depop, and Poshmark keywords, research similar listings, use tools like Google Trends or SEO platforms like Semrush, and look at how brands describe their items. Also, monitor trending hashtags and style terms on social media for current buyer search behavior. 

Does my item description affect SEO?

Yes—your description plays a big role in reseller SEO on most platforms (though not on eBay, where descriptions aren't searchable by default). A rich, detailed description with relevant keywords improves searchability and helps buyers find exactly what they’re looking for.

Do hashtags help with reseller SEO?

Yes!  Hashtags absolutely help with reseller SEO. Use relevant, trending, and style-based hashtags to increase your visibility in search and category pages. Learn the trending hashtags here.