eRank Review: Great Free Tool, Terrible Grading System
eRank's free plan is unbeatable. But its infamous letter grading system is so flawed that users call it "a joke." Here's what you need to know.
Quick Verdict: Ignore the Grades, Use the Data
eRank is the best free Etsy tool available—but only if you completely ignore its letter grading system. Users report that top-selling listings often get D grades because eRank's algorithm doesn't factor in what actually matters (customer experience, sales velocity, quality scores). The raw data is useful. The grading is worthless. Pro plan at $9.99/month is the cheapest paid option, but still limited compared to Marmalead.
What eRank Actually Is
eRank (formerly EtsyRank) is one of the oldest Etsy SEO tools, launched in 2015. It offers keyword research, listing audits, rank tracking, and competitor analysis. The free plan includes many features, making it popular among budget-conscious sellers.
The Pro plan at $9.99/month is the cheapest paid tier among major tools. But "cheap" doesn't always mean "good value."
The Fatal Flaw: The Grading System is Broken
Why Users Call eRank's Grades "A Joke"
"The eRank grading system is a joke. I've seen top-selling listings with thousands of sales get D grades, while listings with zero sales get A grades. It doesn't reflect what actually works on Etsy."
eRank's grading algorithm is superficial. It checks boxes (Did you use all 13 tags? Did you write a long description?) but doesn't factor in what Etsy's algorithm actually cares about: customer experience, conversion rate, sales velocity, review quality, and shop authority.
A listing can get an A grade by stuffing irrelevant tags (eRank rewards using all 13 tags regardless of relevance) and writing a keyword-bloated description. Meanwhile, a best-seller with strategic targeting, great photos, and high conversion gets a D because it only uses 9 tags.
The Golden Rule for eRank
Use eRank for raw data. Completely ignore the letter grades. Look at search volumes, competition levels, and trending keywords. But when eRank says your listing is a "C," don't panic. It's probably fine.
What eRank Does Well
Despite the grading issues, eRank has real value:
1. Most Generous Free Plan
Unlike EverBee (which locks 90% of features), eRank's free plan is genuinely usable. You get keyword research, trend tracking, basic competitor analysis, and listing audits. It's the best free option available. Limited daily lookups but enough to get started.
2. Cheapest Paid Plan
At $9.99/month, eRank Pro is half the price of Marmalead ($19) and cheaper than EverBee ($7.99 for limited features). If absolute lowest cost is your priority and you can work around the grading issues, it's affordable.
3. Long-Established Platform
eRank has been around since 2015. It has years of historical data, established user base, and isn't going anywhere. That stability has value compared to newer tools that might disappear.
What eRank Does Poorly
Problems Beyond the Grading
- Frequent "no data available" – Keywords that clearly exist return empty results
- No predictive forecasting – Only shows historical data, never what's coming
- Poor customer service – Pro members report dismissive responses and no compensation for broken features
- Keyword ranking accuracy questioned – Users say rankings don't match actual Etsy positions
- Daily lookup limits even on Pro – Pay $9.99/month and still hit artificial caps
Pricing Breakdown
Free Plan
Forever (with limitations)
- ✓ Keyword research (limited daily lookups)
- ✓ Listing audits (flawed grading)
- ✓ Basic rank checking
- ✓ Trend buzz tracking
- ✗ Full competitor tracking
- ✗ Advanced features
Best use: Learning Etsy SEO basics when you're broke.
Pro Plan
Cheapest paid SEO tool
- ✓ Unlimited keyword research (still some limits)
- ✓ Full competitor tracking
- ✓ Advanced analytics
- ✓ All free features
- ! Grading still flawed
- ! No predictive features
Reality: Cheap, but you get what you pay for.
eRank vs Marmalead: The Honest Comparison
| Feature | eRank | Marmalead |
|---|---|---|
| Grading System | Broken (ignore it) | Accurate (A-F with fixes) |
| Predictive Forecasting | ✗ | ✓ 30-day |
| AI Assistant | ✗ | Marma AI |
| ChatGPT Optimization | ✗ | ✓ Only tool |
| Customer Support | Poor (dismissive) | Excellent |
| Chrome Extension | ✗ | ✓ AI Writes Listings |
| Price/Month | $9.99 | $19 |
| Best For | Budget option Raw data only | Serious growth Accurate guidance |
The $9 Question
eRank Pro is $9.99. Marmalead is $19. The difference is $9/month.
What that $9 gets you:
- ✓ Grading system that actually works
- ✓ Marma AI to answer all your questions
- ✓ 30-day forecasting (see trends before they peak)
- ✓ ChatGPT optimization (future-proof your shop)
- ✓ Support that doesn't dismiss you
- ✓ NEW: Chrome Extension writes titles, tags & descriptions on any listing
If you're already paying $9.99 for eRank Pro, spending an extra $9 for Marmalead is the best investment you'll make. Most users who upgrade never go back.
Try Marmalead — $9 More, 10x Better →Who Should (and Shouldn't) Use eRank
✓ eRank Makes Sense If:
- You're absolutely broke and need a free tool (free plan is legitimately usable)
- You can ignore the grades and focus only on raw data
- You're testing Etsy before committing real money
- You want competitor tracking on a budget (this is eRank's strength)
✗ Skip eRank If:
- You want accurate listing feedback – The grading system will mislead you
- You need predictive insights – eRank only shows history, never the future
- You value support – Pro members consistently complain about dismissive service
- You're serious about Etsy – The extra $9 for Marmalead is worth it
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I trust eRank's letter grades?
No. The grading system is unreliable and should be ignored. For accurate keyword data, search volumes, and optimization insights, use Marmalead or CraftyTrendy which provide real Etsy search data and proven results.
Is eRank's free plan enough, or do I need Pro?
The free plan is enough for basic research when starting out. Pro gives you more daily lookups and full competitor tracking. But honestly, if you're ready to spend $9.99/month, consider spending $19/month on Marmalead instead. The extra $9 gets you AI-powered listing writing, predictive forecasting, and a Chrome extension.
Why do successful listings get bad grades on eRank?
Because eRank's algorithm checks surface-level factors (tag count, description length) but doesn't factor in what Etsy actually cares about: customer experience, conversion rate, sales velocity, reviews, and shop authority. A listing can be highly optimized for Etsy's real algorithm and still get a D from eRank.
Can I use both eRank and Marmalead?
You could use eRank's free plan alongside Marmalead to get competitor tracking on a budget. But paying for eRank Pro ($9.99) AND Marmalead ($19) is overkill. If you're going to pay for one, Marmalead gives you everything you need with better accuracy.
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The Bottom Line
eRank's free plan is the best free Etsy tool available. Use it while you're getting started and can't afford paid tools.
But: Once you're ready to invest in your Etsy business, skip eRank Pro and go straight to Marmalead. The extra $9/month gets you features eRank will never have (AI assistant, predictive forecasting, ChatGPT optimization, and a Chrome extension that writes your listings for you) plus grading that actually works.
eRank is a stepping stone, not a destination. Don't get stuck using it longer than necessary just to save $9.
Ready to upgrade from eRank? Marmalead's AI writes paste-ready titles, all 13 tags, and descriptions in 10 seconds.
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