Etsy is testing a new search feature to try and make it easier for online shoppers to find what they are looking for. The new feature highlights top categories for broad search terms on the top of search results pages, so shoppers can fine-tune their search results.
For example, if a shopper enters a broad search term such as “steampunk,” they currently see thousands of individual results from various categories across Etsy, the company explained.
Using the new approach for broad search terms, Etsy will display a row at the top of the page featuring the top categories for that term, along with a photo of one item from that category. “So,” it explained, “shoppers searching for “steampunk” might see the Jewelry, Clothing, Accessories, Art & Collectibles and Home & Living categories at the top of the search results page.”
The categories displayed will be the same categories currently shown on the left-hand side of the search results page, and when clicking on a category, results will include relevant handmade, vintage and supply items.
Etsy advised sellers to review their listings “to make sure they are categorized according to what they are,” in order to ensure they will appear in the appropriate category grouping.
Etsy told sellers about the test in mid-May, explaining, “Our goal is to help Etsy shoppers find items more easily and boost sales for all Etsy shops. To make sure we’re achieving that goal, we plan to test this search feature in the coming weeks.”
And, it said, “By giving sellers a way to shop by the top categories for broad search terms, we hope to make the process of searching for items on Etsy more manageable.”
See the full announcement on the Etsy website.
