This study focuses on the optimized synthesis of microgel thickeners derived from sodium acrylate-acrylic acid copolymers through inverse emulsion polymerization. The primary objective was to enhance polymerization efficiency and improve the thickening and rheological properties of these materials by employing optimized synthesis conditions, novel crosslinkers (diglycidyl ether derivatives), modified Cloisite plate-like nanoparticles, and acrylamide comonomers. At equivalent concentrations (0.3 g), the use of a long-chain crosslinker (poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl) ether compared to a short-chain counterpart (diethylene glycol diglycidyl ether) resulted in a ~13-fold increase in apparent viscosity (from 1.39 Pa·s to 20.2 Pa·s at a shear rate of 10 rpm). Incorporation of Cloisite nanoparticles as reinforcing agents, up to an optimal concentration of 5 wt%, led to a ~7-fold rise in storage modulus (from 0.65 kPa to 5.61 kPa at 10 Hz) and a significant improvement in copolymer thickening performance. The addition of acrylamide comonomer to the primary copolymer backbone, forming a terpolymer with 40 mol% acrylamide, increased the polymerization conversion yield from 62% to 93% and produced an approximately 4-fold improvement in direct latex viscosity. This study demonstrates that the strategic combination of advanced crosslinkers, nanoparticles, and comonomers represents an effective approach for developing high-performance polymeric thickeners.