The Hidden Power of Backend Keywords in Walmart Listings

Introduction

Selling on Walmart’s marketplace requires more than a well-crafted title or a compelling description.

To truly excel and outperform competitors, sellers must harness the often overlooked backend keywords.

These hidden fields can significantly enhance your product’s visibility and improve your search rankings, helping you tap into Walmart’s vast customer base.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about backend keywords: what they are, how they work, and how to use them effectively to maximize your success on Walmart.

Understanding Backend Keywords in Walmart’s Search Algorithm

What Are Backend Keywords?

Backend keywords are hidden fields in your Walmart product listings that provide Walmart’s search algorithm with additional context about your product.

Unlike visible content like titles or descriptions, backend keywords are invisible to customers but play a pivotal role in ranking your listings in search results.

These keywords act as a bridge, ensuring your product appears in searches that might not directly match your visible content.

Why Backend Keywords Matter

Backend keywords provide sellers with an opportunity to:

• Expand Reach: Use synonyms, misspellings, and alternate phrases to capture a wider audience.
• Target Specific Needs: Include terms relevant to niche customer searches that don’t naturally fit into your visible content.
• Supplement Content: Incorporate additional keywords without cluttering titles and descriptions, maintaining a clean and customer-friendly presentation.

How Walmart’s Algorithm Utilizes Backend Keywords

Walmart’s search algorithm considers backend keywords alongside visible listing elements to determine relevance for customer queries. As a seller, you have the power to influence this process. If your backend keywords align closely with popular search terms, your product is more likely to appear in relevant searches, giving you control over your product’s visibility.

The Benefits of Optimizing Backend Keywords

1. Broader Audience Reach

By including synonyms and alternate terms, you ensure your product appears for a variety of search queries. This expanded reach not only helps you capture more potential buyers but also opens up the possibility of significantly increasing your sales.

2. Improved Search Relevance

Backend keywords allow you to include terms that may not fit naturally into your title or description. For instance, technical specifications or secondary uses can be added as backend keywords to enhance your product’s relevance.

3. Increased Long-Tail Search Opportunities

Long-tail keywords are more specific and less competitive than short-tail keywords. Including them in your backend fields targets niche audiences with higher conversion potential. For example, instead of “table,” a long-tail keyword like “round wooden dining table” may attract a buyer ready to purchase.

4. Enhanced Visibility for Complementary Products

By including related product keywords, such as “pillows” for a couch listing, your product may appear as a suggested item on category or product pages, increasing its exposure and cross-selling opportunities.

How to Optimize Backend Keywords for Walmart Listings

Step 1: Conduct Thorough Keyword Research

Effective optimization starts with comprehensive keyword research. Use tools like Eva’s advanced analytics platform to identify:

• Synonyms: Alternate terms for your product (e.g., “coat rack” vs. “hall tree”).
• Common Misspellings: Capture searchers who may not spell terms correctly.
• Long-Tail Variations: Target particular queries.
• Niche-Specific Terms: Include keywords relevant to specific audiences or industries.

Step 2: Categorize Keywords

Organize your keywords into categories to ensure comprehensive coverage without redundancy:

Keyword TypeExamplesPurpose

• Synonyms “sofa,” “couch,” and “settee” Capture different terms for the same item.
• Attributes “waterproof” and “ergonomic” and highlights product-specific features.
• Use Cases “gaming chair,” “office” Target specific applications.
• Related Items “pillows,” “rugs” Suggest complementary products.

Step 3: Prioritize Relevance

Avoid using irrelevant keywords, which can mislead customers and harm your listing’s performance. Focus on terms that directly relate to your product.

Step 4: Regular Updates

Consumer behavior and trends evolve. Regularly audit and update your backend keywords to ensure alignment with current search trends, seasonal demand, and emerging keywords.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Keyword Stuffing

Overloading backend fields with repetitive or unrelated terms can flag your listing as spam. Walmart’s algorithm values quality over quantity, so it focuses on relevance.

2. Irrelevant Keywords

Including unrelated terms to attract more searches can lead to poor customer experiences, negative reviews, and penalties.

3. Ignoring Character Limits

Walmart imposes character limits for backend fields. Exceeding these limits can result in truncated entries or rejected inputs, reducing the effectiveness of your efforts.

4. Neglecting Regular Updates

Failing to refresh backend keywords means missing out on new opportunities. Seasonal keywords, trending terms, and changing consumer preferences should all influence your updates.

Measuring the Impact of Backend Keywords

Metrics to Track:

• Search Rankings: Monitor changes in your product’s position for target keywords.
• Organic Traffic: Observe increases in product page views driven by search results.
• Conversion Rates: Higher visibility should correlate with improved sales performance.

Tools for Measurement:

• Walmart Seller Center Analytics: Provides insights into your listing’s performance.
• Eva’s AI Platform: Offers advanced analytics to track keyword performance and sales impact.

How Eva can help?

Eva Commerce is a leading eCommerce technology company dedicated to helping brands grow profitable on Walmart, Amazon, and other marketplaces.

Eva AI’s advanced platform and expert support enable brands to optimize their advertising strategies and make data-driven decisions that yield the best results.

Unique Features of Eva AI:

• Context-Aware Advertising: Eva AI integrates critical metrics such as inventory levels, conversion rates, and profitability across all marketplaces, ensuring that actionable data backs every advertising decision.
• Advanced Keyword Analysis: Eva AI analyzes search trends and customer behavior to identify the most effective backend keywords for your Walmart listings, ensuring maximum visibility and relevance.
• Profitability Focus: Eva AI doesn’t just aim for higher visibility—it prioritizes profitable growth. This ensures that your advertising budget delivers a strong return on investment (ROI).
• Multi-Marketplace Expertise: As an Amazon Advanced Partner and Walmart Strategic Solution Partner, Eva collaborates with platforms like TikTok, eBay, Shopify, Google, Meta, and more to provide comprehensive marketing strategies tailored to your brand’s needs.

Benefits of Partnering with Eva AI:

• Increased Efficiency: Let Eva AI handle the complexities of backend keyword optimization and advertising strategy while you focus on other aspects of your business.
• Expert Insights: Eva’s team of eCommerce professionals provides personalized recommendations to enhance your Walmart listings and advertising campaigns.
• Sustainable Growth: With Eva AI’s emphasis on profitability and data-driven decisions, your brand can achieve consistent, scalable growth.

Ready to improve your Walmart listings? Contact Eva Commerce today to learn how our AI-driven solutions can transform your eCommerce success.

Future Trends in Walmart SEO

1. AI and Machine Learning

As Walmart’s search algorithm evolves, more innovative systems are expected to be capable of understanding searcher intent and context. Optimizing backend keywords will increasingly require natural language and semantic considerations.

2. Voice Search Optimization

With the rise of voice-activated devices, backend keywords should align with natural language queries, such as “What’s the best waterproof jacket for hiking?”

3. Visual Search Integration

Prepare for algorithms that combine text-based searches with image recognition. For example, a user uploading a photo of a red sofa might trigger listings that include “red sofa” as a backend keyword.

Conclusion

Backend keywords are the unsung heroes of Walmart SEO. By leveraging their potential, sellers can significantly enhance visibility, improve rankings, and drive more sales.

Implementing these strategies ensures your listings stay competitive in Walmart’s dynamic marketplace.

For professional assistance, consider partnering with a Walmart SEO expert to unlock the full power of backend keywords and maximize your eCommerce success.

With Eva AI, you don’t have to navigate the complexities alone. Get in touch with Eva Commerce today to unlock profitable growth and ensure your brand’s success at Walmart and beyond.

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