Is Your Product Too Weird For Etsy?

Discover the sweet spot between standing out and being searchable.

Author

Miroslav Novohradsky
July 20, 2025

In partnership with

Let’s get one thing out of the way:

Your product can be so niche that even Google is like, “Umm… what?”

But does that mean your super-specific product is doomed to fail on Etsy (or anywhere online)?

Not necessarily.

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What Does “Too Niche” Even Mean?

If you sell “custom cat bow ties with glow-in-the-dark stars for cats born in July,” congratulations, you’ve probably cornered 100% of that market.

The problem is that there might only be 3 people searching for that product this year.

Being niche is actually a superpower on Etsy.

It’s what allows you to stand out from 5,000 shops all selling the same farmhouse signs.

But when your niche gets too narrow, SEO becomes problematic because there simply aren’t enough people searching for what you’re selling.

The SEO Sweet Spot

The key to Etsy SEO is finding keywords people are actually typing into search bars. 

You can be creative all day long, but if no one’s searching for “witchy disco ball planters,” you’re basically invisible.

Here’s how to tell if your niche is too narrow:

  • Zero search volume. Use a tool like eRank or Marmalead. If your keywords come back with tumbleweeds, rethink your phrasing.

  • No competitors at all. Competition is good. If nobody’s selling anything remotely similar, it could mean there’s no demand.

  • Too much “insider” language. If your keywords are so specific that only hardcore collectors know what they mean, your audience will be tiny.

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What to Do If Your Niche Is “Too Niche”

  • Zoom Out. Instead of “vintage glass perfume bottles from 1972 with gold stoppers,” maybe you go for “vintage perfume bottles” or even “retro vanity decor.” Broader terms = more eyeballs.

  • Layer Your Keywords. You can still keep your unique twist, but stack your SEO. For example, list “custom gothic wedding invitations” under broader keywords like “wedding invitations” and “custom invites.”

  • Create Multiple Entry Points. You don’t have to ditch your super-specific product. Create variations or bundles that appeal to a larger audience. If your product is for left-handed violinists, could you make a right-handed version too?

  • Educate Your Buyers. If you’ve invented something truly unique, SEO isn’t enough; you’ll need social media to drive traffic. TikTok, Instagram reels, and Pinterest are great for explaining why your oddly specific product is exactly what people didn’t know they needed.

The Truth About “Too Niche”

Your product isn’t a failure if it’s not SEO-friendly.

It just means you need to build demand elsewhere, through content marketing, viral social posts, or influencer partnerships.

Etsy SEO works best for products people are already searching for. If your product is so unique that no one’s searching for it

Yet, you’ll need to create the search demand yourself.

So,

  • Is your product solving a problem or fulfilling a desire that people already have?

  • Can you describe it in simpler, more common terms that shoppers are using?

  • Are you willing to create content and marketing around it instead of relying on Etsy search alone?

If your answer to all three is yes, your “too niche” product can be successful and is waiting to be discovered.

Niche sells. Too niche doesn’t. 

Find the balance between standing out and being findable.

Because if Google can’t find you, neither can your customers.

Have a wonderful and productive day,

Miroslav from The Design Nexus

TOOLS YOU SHOULD TRY

Even if you sell products other than mugs or t-shirts, it doesn't mean it will cost you more.

There are tools that can help you with the tasks, and most of them have free versions.

Disclaimer: Within the article, you will find affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I want to sincerely assure you that I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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