Writing Listing Titles That Get Found

Your title is the most important factor in whether your listing appears in search results. eBay's Cassini algorithm, Poshmark's For You feed, and every other platform's search engine relies heavily on title keywords to match listings with buyers.

A weak title means invisible listings. Here's how to write titles that get found.

The Title Formula

Across all platforms, effective titles follow the same structure:

Brand + Gender/Type + Model/Style + Size + Material + Color/Pattern + Condition Indicators

Every word should do work. If a word doesn't help a buyer find or evaluate your item, it doesn't belong in your title.

The bad title tells search algorithms nothing useful. The good title hits brand recognition, specific model name, garment type, gender, size, color, pattern, and era—every term a buyer might search.

Platform-Specific Considerations

eBay (80 characters)

eBay gives you the most space. Use it all. Include brand variants (Carhartt WIP vs Carhartt regular line), model numbers for electronics, and condition notes like "EUC" or "NWOT" at the end if space allows.

eBay's autocomplete is your keyword research tool. Start typing brand + item type and see what suggestions appear—those are what people actually search.

Poshmark (80 characters)

Same character limit as eBay, but Poshmark's algorithm has shifted heavily toward SEO over social sharing. Treat your Poshmark titles like you would eBay—keyword-rich and specific.

Include brand name even if selecting it in the brand field. The algorithm reads both.

Mercari (40 characters)

Half the space of eBay/Poshmark. Prioritize ruthlessly: Brand + Type + Size minimum. Cut descriptors that don't affect searchability. Push details into the description.

Keywords That Matter

Brand Names

Always include the full brand name. Buyers search by brand. "Patagonia" not "Pata" or "Patagucci" (though misspellings in sourcing searches are another story).

For brands with multiple lines, specify: "Carhartt WIP" differs from regular Carhartt. "Levi's Vintage Clothing" differs from standard Levi's.

Model Names and Numbers

Specific model names dramatically improve discoverability. "Nike Air Max 90" beats "Nike Sneakers." "Patagonia Nano Puff" beats "Patagonia Jacket." "Sony WM-2" beats "Sony Walkman."

Collectors and enthusiasts search by model. Generic searchers find you too, but specific searchers are more likely to buy.

Size

Always include size in the title, not just in item specifics. Buyers filter by size, and including it in the title reinforces relevance. Use standard abbreviations: XS, S, M, L, XL, or exact measurements for non-standard items.

Material

Material keywords attract specific buyers. "Leather" vs "Faux Leather" matters. "Wool" vs "Acrylic" matters. "Shell Cordovan" on Allen Edmonds signals premium to collectors.

Era/Vintage Indicators

For vintage items, include era when searchable: "Vintage," "90s," "Y2K." These are active search terms for buyers seeking specific aesthetics.

Title Mistakes That Kill Visibility

Keyword Stuffing

Adding irrelevant keywords to catch more searches violates platform policies and can get your listings removed. "NOT North Face" in a Patagonia listing doesn't help—it hurts.

Vague Descriptors

"Nice," "Cute," "Pretty," "Cool"—these words mean nothing to search algorithms. They waste character space that could include searchable terms.

Missing Brand Names

The most common mistake. If you're selling a Madewell dress and your title says "Floral Midi Dress Size Medium," you've lost everyone searching "Madewell." Brand goes first.

Abbreviations Nobody Searches

Don't abbreviate brand names unless buyers actually search the abbreviation. "LV" might work for Louis Vuitton. "Pat" for Patagonia doesn't. When in doubt, spell it out.

Testing and Iterating

Titles aren't set in stone. If a listing sits without views for 2+ weeks, the title might be the problem.

Check search results: Does your item appear when you search terms from your title? Are competitor listings using different keywords that rank higher?

Test changes: Update the title with different keywords. Monitor views and sales. Poshmark's delete-and-relist strategy gives you a fresh start with a new title.

Putting It Together

Before listing any item, mentally run through the formula: Brand + Type + Model + Size + Material + Color + Condition. Fill in what applies, cut what doesn't, and optimize for the platform's character limit.

Good titles take 30 extra seconds per listing. That investment pays dividends in visibility and sell-through rate. Descriptions matter too, but titles determine whether anyone sees your description in the first place.