Growing Your Craft Etsy SEO Guides

Best Keywords & Tags for press on nails

Getting found on Etsy can feel like a challenge, but mastering Etsy Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is your best chance of getting traffic on Etsy. SEO is about using the right keywords to tell Etsy (and your target customers) exactly what you sell so you appear in the right Etsy search results.

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Let me walk you through everything you need to know in this SEO guide, including:

Understand your ideal target customer
Discover high-impact broad and long-tail keywords for your listings
Analyse what successful press on nails sellers are doing right
Learn how to use keywords to optimise your titles, tags, and description
6 ways to find more keywords for your listings

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How to Optimise Listings

Ways to Find Keywords

Understanding Your Ideal Target Customer

Before you dive into keywords, you need to understand who your target customer, including their needs, desires, and the language they use. Because when you know what they are looking for, you can target them with the same keywords that they would use in Etsy search. Here’s a closer look at your typical customer in the press on nails niche:

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The typical customer for Press on Nails is a beauty-conscious individual who desires salon-quality manicures without the high cost, time commitment, or potential damage associated with traditional acrylics or gels. They range from trendy Gen Z shoppers looking for "Y2K" or "Kawaii" aesthetics to busy professionals needing a temporary, polished look for an event.

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What problems are they trying to solve or desires are they trying to fulfill when searching for press on nail products?

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They want a durable, reusable, and aesthetically pleasing manicure that can be applied quickly at home, solving the problem of not having time for a 2-hour salon appointment.

This can lead them to search for terms like: reusable luxury gel press on nails

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They are looking for complex, hand-painted nail art that might be too expensive or difficult to request at a standard local nail salon.

This can lead them to search for terms like: custom hand painted y2k star nails

press on nails is a pretty competitive niche with high demand and high competition, so it's important to use long-tail keywords to niche down and have a better chance of ranking on Etsy.

Top 10 Broad Keywords for press on nails Sellers

Core keywords (also known as short-tail keywords) are the broad, popular terms that describe your main products. While they often have very high search volume and competition, they are the starting points for you to build your long-tail keywords for the next steps.

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Here are 10 popular broad keywords for the press on nails market:

Press on Nails

The primary, high-volume keyword for this niche. It covers everything from mass-produced plastic sets to high-end handmade artistry. It is the essential starting point for SEO.

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Glue on Nails

A variation of the main keyword that signals a desire for longevity. Customers using "glue on" often prioritize a strong hold over adhesive tabs, implying they want the nails to last 1-2 weeks.

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Fake Nails

A broader, slightly older term still used heavily in search. While less "trendy" than "press ons," it captures a massive audience looking for artificial nail enhancements.

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Coffin Nails

One of the most popular nail shapes. Including shape-specific keywords is crucial because buyers often filter their search immediately by their preferred silhouette.

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Gel Nails

When applied to press-ons, this indicates quality. Buyers use this to find nails made with actual gel polish (which are durable and shiny) rather than thin, printed plastic.

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Short Nails

A specific functional requirement. Many buyers (like nurses, typists, or moms) specifically hunt for "short" or "extra short" lengths for practicality.

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Custom Nails

This keyword targets buyers looking for a perfect fit. It implies the seller offers sizing kits or made-to-measure sets, justifying a higher price point.

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Handmade Nails

This separates artisanal sellers from dropshippers. It appeals to buyers who value craftsmanship, unique art, and supporting small artists.

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Reusable Nails

A key value proposition. This keyword attracts eco-conscious or budget-savvy shoppers who view the purchase as an investment they can wear multiple times.

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Nail Art

Broad but effective. This captures users browsing for design inspiration. If your listing features intricate designs, this keyword helps you appear in discovery feeds.

Top Long-Tail Keywords for press on nails

While core keywords are important, long-tail keywords are how you can really get found on Etsy. These are longer, more specific phrases (usually 2-5 words) that buyers use when they have a clearer idea of what they want or are closer to making a purchase. They often have lower search volume than broad keywords but higher conversion rates because they target a more specific need.

How to Brainstorm Your Long-Tail Keywords

A systematic way to build long-tail keywords is by adding descriptive modifiers to your broad keywords. Here are the modifiers I recommend:

Style/Aesthetic Long-Tail Keywords

y2k aesthetic airbrush star nails
kawaii pink strawberry press ons
gothic black red stiletto nails
minimalist milky white almond nails
cottagecore floral hand painted nail art

Occasion/Use Long-Tail Keywords

elegant white pearl wedding nails
spooky glow in the dark halloween nails
professional neutral short nails for work
vacation tropical hibiscus flower nails
birthday party glitter celebration nails

Target Customer Long-Tail Keywords

gift for anime lover nail art
trendy press ons for teen girl
drag queen performance xxl nails
bridal shower gift for her
press on nails for guitar players

Materials & Finishes Long-Tail Keywords

File Type/Platform Long-Tail Keywords

handmade soft gel full cover tips
matte black velvet texture nails
chrome aura iridescent finish
encapsulated glitter acrylic look
reinforced hard gel overlay nails

Technique/Production Method Long-Tail Keywords

hand painted detailed character art
3d charm junk nail design
cat eye magnetic gel polish
airbrush aura gradient effect
french tip ombre baby boomer

Feature/Benefit Long-Tail Keywords

extra strong reusable press on nails
damage free temporary manicure
ready to ship quick delivery nails
thick salon quality false nails
custom size fit for wide nail beds

Theme/Subject Matter Long-Tail Keywords

celestial sun and moon nail art
cherry fruit print summer nails
abstract swirl line art design
leopard animal print almond nails
butterfly fairy wing aesthetic

Size/Shape/Fit Long-Tail Keywords

extra short square natural nails
medium almond shape press ons
long coffin ballerina shape
xxl stiletto dramatic nails
custom sizing kit for press ons

Problem Solved Long-Tail Keywords

press on nails for bitten nails
emergency wedding guest manicure
affordable luxury nails at home
non damaging glue on nails
temporary weekend nails for nurses

To speed up the process and get even more relevant long-tail keyword ideas, consider using SEO research tools like Alura which you can get a big similar keyword list with information like estimated search volume and demand. Their free plan is pretty generous and you can sign up for free here.

Analysing Best Selling Listing Titles

One of the best ways to improve your Etsy SEO strategy is to see what's working for other successful sellers. By analysing best selling listings, you can gain valuable insights into what effective keywords they use, and how they structure the titles, so that you can apply to your own listings as well.

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Let's look at the listing titles from two press on nails bestsellers to see what we can learn from them:

Bestseller Listing Title Analysis 01:

168 "Crazy Cats" Press on Nails: Cute, Kawaii, Kitty, Strawberry, Y2K, Custom Hand-painted Nails by BurntCloudNails

This title excels by targeting a very specific aesthetic niche ("Cute," "Kawaii," "Y2K") while clearly describing the subject matter ("Crazy Cats," "Kitty," "Strawberry"). It highlights the value of the product being "Custom" and "Hand-painted," which justifies a higher price point and separates it from mass-produced drugstore nails. The number "168" likely refers to a specific design code, helping repeat customers find it.

Bestseller Listing Title Analysis 02

Handmade Gel Press On Nails: Custom Starburst Design by FrenchKissNails

This title is concise but potent. It prioritizes the material and quality ("Handmade Gel") which tells the buyer these are durable and salon-quality. It then describes the specific design ("Starburst"), which is a trendy search term. By keeping it simple, it targets high-intent buyers looking for that specific look and quality level without clutter.

Click here to see more Etsy bestseller title inspirations

How to Use Keywords to Optimise Your Etsy Listings

Now that you have a list of descriptive long-tail keywords for your press on nails, let's see how we can use them to optimise your Etsy listings.

How to Craft Highly Descriptive, Keyword-Rich Titles

Your listing title can make-or-break your Etsy SEO. Write your long-tail keywords to be highly descriptive. For example, compare these two:

Okay Title: Pink Press On Nails

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Better Title: Handmade Pink Aura Press On Nails, Reusable Gel Almond Shape, Y2K Star Design, Custom Fit Glue On Nails, Cute Gift for Her

Then put your strongest, most descriptive keyword in the front. Separate each long-tail keyword with symbols like commas or dashes so that the title is easy to read.

Use All 13 Tags with Specific, Long-Tail Keywords

Tags are another important place to tell the Etsy algorithm what your product is about. Use all 13 tags for your listings.

Focus on specific, long-tail keyword phrases
Tags have a 20-character limit
While it's ok for some broad keywords to appear in multiple tags, try to use a wide variety of descriptive terms across your 13 tags

Find Accurate Attributes & Categories

When you list a product on Etsy, you'll select a category and then be prompted to fill out attributes specific to that category (e.g., colour, material, size, occasion). These are just as important for SEO and helping buyers find your items through Etsy's filters.

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Be thorough and fill out as many relevant attributes as possible and be accurate for your product category.

Write Description for Shoppers & Etsy search algorithm

Etsy now uses keywords in your listing description for SEO. What I recommend to Etsy seller is to write compelling short paragraph (1-3 sentences) at the very beginning of your listing description that naturally include 3-5 relavant long-tail keywords for the product. Clearly communicate what the product is, its key features, and the benefits it offers the customer.

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Let's look at some listing description examples for press on nails:

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Listing Description Example 01

Achieve a flawless salon look in minutes with our "Midnight Sparkle" press on nails. Hand-painted with high-quality gel polish, these reusable black coffin nails feature a stunning reflective glitter finish that catches the light from every angle. Perfect for a night out or adding a touch of glamour to your daily style, each set is reinforced for durability and long-lasting wear.

Listing Description Example 02

Embrace your cute side with these Kawaii-inspired strawberry shortcake press ons. Featuring 3D hand-sculpted charms and delicate fruit art on a milky pink base, these nails are the ultimate Y2K accessory. Available in custom sizes to ensure the perfect fit, these sturdy gel nails offer the complex artistry of a 3-hour salon appointment delivered right to your door.

Listing Description Example 03

Looking for a professional manicure that fits your busy lifestyle? Our "Classic Nude" short square press on nails are designed for everyday elegance and practicality. Made with flexible yet strong soft gel full-cover tips, they provide a natural look that is perfect for the office, typing, or anyone who prefers a clean, minimalist aesthetic without the damage of acrylics.

6 Ways to Find More Keywords for press on nails

Keyword research is an ongoing process. I recommend these 6 ways to find effective long-tail keywords for your listings:

Etsy Search Bar

Start typing your core keywords into Etsy's search bar and pay close attention to the auto-suggestions that appear (guide here). These are real searches from actual Etsy shoppers.

Competitor Research

Look at the titles of listings that rank on page 1 (especially those with "Bestseller" badges). Don't copy directly, but use their keyword choices as inspiration for terms you might have missed.

Your Own Shop Stats

Your shop stats show you the exact search terms shoppers used to find your listings. Pay special attention to those that you are not directly targeting, and consider targeting them in listing titles.

Alura

One of my favourite Etsy keyword research tools. Alura speeds up the process of giving you a list of related popular keywords, and analyse which ones are the best for you.

eRank

Another popular tool among Etsy sellers, eRank offers robust keyword tools, trend analysis, grading your current listings, and checking keyword strength.

Everbee

Another great keyword research tool. I especially love Everbee's Chrome extension that shows you the estimated search volume directly on Etsy.

Your press on nails Etsy SEO Checklist

Phew, that's a lot of information. Let's do a little recap:

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Understand My Customer: Do I understand my target customer and their primary search motivations?
Core Keyword Research: Have I identified the top core keywords for the press on nails niche?
Long-Tail Keywords: Have I brainstormed a diverse list of long-tail keywords using various modifiers?
Ongoing Etsy SEO: Am I using at least 2-3 methods (from Section 7) to regularly find new keyword opportunities for press on nails?
Optimised Titles: Are my listing titles highly descriptive, front-loaded with strong keywords?
Maximised Tags: Am I using all 13 tags with specific, long-tail phrases?
Compelling Descriptions: Does the opening paragraph of my listing descriptions naturally include 3-5 important keywords and clearly state benefits/features?
Analyse & Improve: Am I reviewing my Etsy stats and competitor listings in the press on nails niche regularly to improve my SEO strategy?

Get More Etsy SEO Resources Here:

GYC Etsy SEO Checklist

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GYC Etsy SEO Guide

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Full Etsy SEO Course

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Growing Your Craft is supported by Etsy sellers. When you purchase/subscribe through affiliate links in this guide, I'll earn some coffee money at no extra cost to you. Blog illustrations by Freepik Stories.