How To Do Fiverr Keyword Research

For six years, I’ve built online businesses, optimized websites to rank on Google, and coached freelancers. If there’s one universal truth I’ve learned, it’s this: visibility is currency. It doesn’t matter if you’re the most talented logo designer or the most meticulous editor; if your ideal client can’t find you, you don’t have a business.

This is especially true on Fiverr. Many sellers pour their hearts into their gig descriptions and portfolios, but they overlook the fundamental system that decides who sees their work: Fiverr’s search algorithm. And at the core of that algorithm are keywords.

Think of Fiverr as a search engine for services. Buyers type in what they need—”modern logo design,” “voiceover for commercial,” “SEO blog post.”

Your job is to ensure your gig appears for the right searches. That’s not luck; it’s strategy. It’s keyword research.

I’m going to walk you through the exact, practical process I use and teach. This isn’t about gaming the system with shady tricks. It’s about speaking the same language as your buyers and aligning your offerings with real demand.

Let’s build that visibility.

Step 1: Understand the Fiverr Search Mindset

Before you type a single word into a tool, you need to shift your perspective. You’re not just a freelancer; you’re a search engine optimizer for your own mini-website (your gig).

Buyer Intent is King: On Google, someone might search “how to fix a leaky faucet.” On Fiverr, their search is all about hiring someone to do it for them. The intent is commercial and action-oriented. Your keywords must match that “I want to hire” intent.
Think in Phrases, Not Just Words: “Logo design” is a word. “Playful logo design for a baby clothing brand” is a phrase that reflects specific intent. Fiverr’s search understands these nuances. Long-tail keywords (more specific, usually longer phrases) are your best friend for attracting serious, targeted buyers and facing less competition.

Step 2: Become a Keyword Detective – The Brainstorming Phase

Grab a notepad or open a spreadsheet. We’re starting simple.

List Your Core Services: What do you actually do? Be specific. “Video editing” is okay, but “YouTube video editing for tech reviewers” is powerful.
Channel Your Buyer: Who is your ideal client? What words would they use? A startup founder might search “startup logo design on a budget,” while a Fortune 500 manager might look for “corporate PowerPoint redesign.” Use their language, not industry jargon.
Spy on Your (Successful) Competitors: This is crucial. Search for the services you offer. Look at the top 3-5 gigs in the results.
- Analyze Their Gig Titles: What words do they use first? What specific phrases are in their titles?
- Dissect Their Tags: Fiverr allows five tags. These are pure keyword gold. Write down what the top sellers are using.
- Scan Their Descriptions: Look for recurring terms and phrases in the first few lines.

Don’t copy them. Instead, reverse-engineer their strategy. You’re gathering data on what the market responds to.

Step 3: Use Free Tools to Expand Your List

Now, we validate and expand our brainstormed list with data.

Fiverr’s Own Search Bar: Start typing your core service. The autocomplete suggestions are generated from actual buyer searches. This is free, direct data from the source. Note down every relevant suggestion.
AnswerThePublic / Ubersuggest: These free tools show you what people are searching for on Google. While not Fiverr-specific, they reveal question-based intent. If people are searching “how do I animate my logo,” then “logo animation” is a vital Fiverr keyword. It shows a need you can fill.
Basic Google Keyword Planner: You’ll need a Google Ads account (free), but you don’t have to run ads. Use it to see search volume for keywords in your niche. Look for phrases with a decent volume but that hint at commercial intent.

At this stage, you should have a messy list of 50-100 words and phrases. That’s perfect.

Step 4: Analyze and Prioritize Your Keyword List

This is where strategy kicks in. Not all keywords are equal. We’ll sort them into three categories:

Hero Keywords: These are your primary targets. They should be highly relevant, have good search volume, and align perfectly with your best service. Examples: “eBook cover design fantasy,” “Spanish to English translation services,” “Facebook ads management for eCommerce.”
Supporting Keywords: These are variations or related services. They help you capture a wider net. For an eBook cover designer, this could be “book cover formatting,” “Amazon KDP cover,” or “paperback cover design.”
Long-Tail Opportunity Keywords: These are specific, lower-competition phrases. They might have lower search volume, but the conversion rate can be high because the intent is so clear. “Design a minimalist logo for a yoga studio” or “edit a 10-minute podcast with noise removal.”

Prioritization Filter: Ask these questions for each phrase on your list:

Is it Relevant? Does it accurately describe what I offer?
What’s the Competition? (Check Fiverr search results). Can I realistically compete here, or is it saturated with Level 2 sellers with 1,000+ reviews?
What’s the Buyer’s Stage? Are they ready to buy (“hire a proofreader”), or just browsing (“proofreading tips”)? Prioritize the ready-to-buy terms.

Step 5: Implement Keywords in Your Gig – The Practical Edit

You have your prioritized list. Now, weave them in naturally.

Gig Title: This is your most important real estate. Use your primary “Hero Keyword” at or near the beginning. Follow the format: Primary Keyword | Secondary Benefit. Example: “I Will Design a Modern Shopify Store That Converts | eCommerce Website Design.”
Tags: All five tags must be used. These should be a mix of your Hero and Supporting keywords. Be precise. If one of your tags is “logo design,” another should be “mascot logo design” to capture a niche.
Gig Description: Don’t stuff keywords. Write naturally for a human buyer, but ensure your key phrases appear in the first 125 words (the most important part) and are sprinkled throughout. Use bullet points to naturally include variations.
Gig Packages: The names of your packages (Basic, Standard, Premium) are less critical for search, but the descriptions under each package are. Use keywords related to the specific deliverables in that tier.
FAQ Section: This is an often-missed opportunity. Use questions a buyer might ask, and in your answers, naturally include your key phrases. “What file formats will I get for my logo design?” – “You’ll receive the source file and all standard formats (AI, PNG, JPG) for web and print.”

A Final, Critical Reality Check

Keyword research sets the foundation, but Fiverr’s algorithm rewards performance. Great keywords get you the click; a fantastic portfolio, clear communication, and stellar deliveries get you the 5-star review.

The algorithm then says, “This gig satisfies users for these keywords,” and pushes you higher. It’s a virtuous cycle that starts with the right words.

The biggest mistake I see? Sellers set up their gig once and forget it. Your market changes. New trends emerge. Revisit your keyword research every 3-4 months.

Use your new experience to ask: “What are my successful clients actually calling the work I do for them?” That’s your most valuable keyword data.

This process might feel technical at first, but it quickly becomes second nature. It moves you from hoping for orders to strategically attracting them.

So, my question for you is this: When you look at your gigs today, are you using the words you love, or the words your ideal buyer is already typing into the search bar?