E-commerce isn’t just a business it’s survival of the smartest. If you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or digital strategist, knowing the best keywords for selling t-shirts can make the difference between a slow trickle of sales or a Shopify empire.
According to Shopify’s recent roundup of top-selling products, T-shirts proudly take the top spot. Yes! T-shirts, the timeless classic that’s been around since dinosaurs roamed the Earth (or at least it feels like it).
Image generated by Dall 3 Ultra
Reference: https://www.shopify.com/blog/trending-products
But here’s the catch: just knowing that shirts are popular isn’t enough. As marketers, we need insights. We need to dig deeper into exactly what kinds of shirts people are frantically typing into Google. SEO Zen Labs has done the heavy lifting (so we don’t have to) with keyword research tool, giving us a detailed breakdown of the top 100 shirt-related searches.
Case Study Spotlight:
A case study from Merch by Amazon demonstrated that T-shirt listings with optimized keywords in the title, brand name, and bullet points consistently ranked higher in search results compared to those with minimal keyword optimization.
The research showed that detailed keyword placement in product descriptions and metadata can directly influence organic rankings and, consequently, sales performance.
Reference and image credit to:
https://merchinformer.com/keyword-optimization-merch-by-amazon-case-study
Let’s get into the juicy details, keyword by keyword, opportunity by opportunity.
Keyword Group 1: Graphic Tees (The Visual Enthusiasts)
These keywords are for shoppers who want their shirts to say something visually loud and proud.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| graphics for t-shirts | 368,000 | Transactional | 0.44 | 1.79 |
| shirts graphic | 368,000 | Commercial | 0.44 | 1.79 |
| graphic tees t-shirts | 368,000 | Transactional | 0.44 | 1.79 |
| graphics on t-shirts | 368,000 | Transactional | 0.44 | 1.79 |
Takeaways:
- Graphic tees are a booming market, perfect for brands who leverage creativity.
- Optimize visuals heavily customers here care about design and originality
Keyword Group 2: Sports & MMA Shirts (Fans with a Fighting Spirit)
Sports shirts, especially MMA and UFC, are insanely popular, showing dedicated fan interest.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| MMA UFC t-shirts | 246,000 | Transactional | 0.48 | 0.80 |
| UFC shirts | 246,000 | Commercial | 0.48 | 0.80 |
| UFC t-shirts | 246,000 | Transactional | 0.48 | 0.80 |
Takeaways:
- Sports fans buy based on identity build targeted campaigns for niche communities.
- The CPC is affordable, indicating great ROI potential.
Keyword Group 3: Themed & Party Shirts (Life of the Party)
Shoppers love shirts that fit specific events, themes, or inside jokes.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| theme shirts | 246,000 | Commercial | 1.31 | 7.44 |
| themed shirts | 246,000 | Transactional | 1.31 | 7.44 |
| diddy party shirts | 246,000 | Transactional | N/A | N/A |
Takeaways:
- Event-driven campaigns (birthdays, holidays, popular memes) attract impulse buys.
- Ideal category for creative promotions and viral social content.
Keyword Group 4: Sports Team Shirts (Loyal Fans Only)
Team pride is real, and customers are actively searching to represent their favorites.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| shirts Real Madrid | 246,000 | Commercial | 0.43 | 1.31 |
| major league baseball shirts | 246,000 | Commercial | 0.51 | 1.23 |
| MLB shirts | 246,000 | Transactional | 0.51 | 1.23 |
| Detroit Lions shirts | 201,000 | Transactional | 0.51 | 1.32 |
Takeaways:
- Authenticity is key officially licensed merchandise sells best.
- Great opportunities for partnerships and fan-based marketing campaigns.
Understanding the best keywords for selling t-shirts across different niches like graphic designs, sports fan gear, or custom apparel allows you to craft product listings and ads that directly align with buyer intent, boosting your conversion rates dramatically.
Keyword Group 5: Custom & Personalized Shirts (For the Creative Crowd)
People adore customization, it’s personal, unique, and emotionally valuable.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| custom t-shirts | 165,000 | Transactional | 1.67 | 6.37 |
| customized tee shirts | 165,000 | Transactional | 1.67 | 6.37 |
| customizable t-shirts | 165,000 | Commercial | 1.67 | 6.37 |
Takeaways:
- Highlight easy-to-use customization tools and unique designs.
- Excellent opportunity to upsell premium options.
- Shopify App Tip: Powerful customization apps include Custom Product Designer Studio, PODbazi, Lumise, and Customify — all supporting customer creativity and boosting conversions. (Source: Printify)
Keyword Group 6: Polo & Formal Shirts (Professional & Stylish)
Classic polos and formal shirts never fade—they’re staples in professional wardrobes.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| polo shirts | 165,000 | Transactional | 0.65 | 2.96 |
| polos and shirts | 165,000 | Transactional | 0.65 | 2.96 |
| shirts and polos | 165,000 | Transactional | 0.65 | 2.96 |
Takeaways:
- Showcase professional styling in marketing campaigns.
- Bundle offers or office-friendly promotions can boost conversions.
Keyword Group 7: High Traffic General Searches (Broad & High-Volume)
These keywords have huge search volumes, ideal for large-scale traffic and brand visibility.
| Keyword | Search Volume | Intent | Low Bid ($) | High Bid ($) |
| t-shirts | 246,000 | Commercial | 1.31 | 7.44 |
| shirts | 165,000 | Commercial | 1.22 | 6.76 |
| tees shirts | 246,000 | Transactional | 1.31 | 7.44 |
Takeaways:
- Focus on SEO and content marketing due to high competition and CPC.
- Competitive but crucial for brand visibility.
Trending Shirt Themes You Need to Know
To stay ahead in 2025, tap into what’s buzzing right now. Events and themes currently popular include:
- Retro-futurism (nostalgia + futuristic mashups)
- Sustainability (eco-conscious messaging and materials)
- Pop culture tie-ins (movies, TV shows, and video games—while staying copyright safe!)
Incorporating these trends into your designs can supercharge your engagement and sales.
Reference from: https://printify.com/blog/popular-shirt-designs/
The right strategy isn’t just about selling shirts it’s about mastering the best keywords for selling t-shirts to capture buyer attention before your competitors do. By focusing on detailed keyword insights, tapping into emerging trends, and offering engaging customization options, you’ll transform your Shopify store into a high-converting powerhouse one T-shirt at a time.