A No-BS Guide to Niche Keyword Research for Visual Artists, Writers, and Makers
Most artists think SEO is for bloggers and tech geeks—not creatives. But here’s the truth: Google is the world’s biggest art gallery. Every month, people search for:
- “dark fantasy book cover art”
- “custom pet portrait acrylic painting”
- “weirdcore aesthetic wallpaper”
- “handmade gothic jewelry”
If you’re not showing up for these searches, you’re missing out on free, targeted traffic from people who already want what you make.
This guide will teach you how to:
✔ Find untapped, low-competition keywords (like “surreal cat portraits”).
✔ Optimize your website and listings to rank higher.
✔ Use free tools to spy on what your audience is searching.
Let’s turn Google into your 24/7 salesperson.
Why Most Artists Fail at SEO (And How to Fix It)
The Problem:
- Generic terms (“abstract art,” “fantasy writer”) are impossible to rank for.
- Ignoring long-tail keywords—specific, weird phrases with less competition.
- Not optimizing product pages (Etsy, your website, even Instagram bios).
The Solution:
Target hyper-specific searches where you can actually compete.
Example:
- ❌ “watercolor paintings” (1.5M Google results)
- ✅ “watercolor paintings of haunted houses” (only 5K results)
Step 1: Find Your ‘Weird’ Keywords (The Goldmine for Artists)
Where to Look for Niche Keywords:
1. Google’s “People Also Ask” & Autocomplete
- Start typing your niche + see what Google suggests.
- Example: “surreal art of…” → “surreal art of cats,” “surreal art of food”
2. Etsy/Amazon Search Bar
- Check what buyers are typing in marketplaces.
- Example: “custom portrait of my dog as a knight”
3. Reddit & Niche Forums
- See how real people describe what they want.
- Example: “Where can I find art of liminal spaces?”
4. Free Keyword Tools
- Ubersuggest (free tier)
- AnswerThePublic (visualizes questions)
- Keyword Surfer (shows search volume)
Pro Tip: Target keywords with under 10K competing pages for easier ranking.
Step 2: Optimize Your Website & Listings
1. Page Titles & Descriptions
- Include your keyword naturally.
- Example: “Surreal Cat Portraits | Custom Psychedelic Pet Art by [Your Name]”
2. Image Alt Text
- Google can’t “see” images—describe them with keywords.
- Example: alt=”surreal portrait of a cat with galaxy eyes”
3. Product Descriptions
- Don’t just say “handmade ceramic mug.” Say:
“Gothic handmade ceramic mug with occult symbols – perfect for witchy coffee lovers.”
Tool: Use Yoast SEO (free for WordPress) to check optimization.
Step 3: Create Content Around Your Keywords
Blog Post Ideas for Artists:
- “How to Commission a Surreal Pet Portrait”
- “The Symbolism in My Dark Fantasy Paintings”
- “Behind the Scenes: Creating My ‘Weirdcore’ Zine”
Pro Tip: Update old posts every 6 months to keep rankings fresh.
Step 4: Get Backlinks (Without Begging)
Backlinks = other sites linking to you. How to get them:
- Guest post on niche blogs (e.g., a fantasy art site).
- Submit to directories like The Doodle Guide.
- Collaborate with other artists (link swaps).
Tool: Check your backlinks with Moz Link Explorer.
Real-World Example: How an Artist Ranked for “Creepy Doll Art”
- Found the keyword (only 2K competing pages).
- Optimized her Etsy titles/descriptions with the phrase.
- Made a Pinterest pin titled “The Meaning Behind My Creepy Doll Art.”
- Got featured on a horror art blog (free backlink).
Result: Page 1 on Google—now gets 50+ monthly visits from that term alone.
SEO Checklist for Artists
✅ Target long-tail keywords (e.g., “custom neon sign art”).
✅ Optimize titles, alt text, and descriptions.
✅ Publish keyword-focused blog posts.
✅ Get backlinks from niche sites.
✅ Update old content regularly.
Final Thought: Stop Competing, Start Dominating
You don’t need to rank for “abstract art.” You need to own “abstract art of abandoned hospitals.”
Less competition = more visibility = more sales.
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Digital Marketing for Creatives 
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