Long-Tail Keywords: Definition, How-To, & Vital SEO Tips

Isometric businessman hand use tablet to searching keyword on search engine (long-tail keywords)

Are you trying to understand what long-tail keywords are, when to use them, and how to use them for maximum SEO value? If so, then you’re in the right place!

Long-tail keywords can be confusing at first glance but with some insight and guidance, they don’t have to be. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about long-tail keywords: from definitions and examples of long-tail keywords, explanations on when it’s best to use them, and tips on optimizing their usage for SEO.

So buckle up because once you finish reading this blog post you’ll become an expert in long-tail keywords!

What are long-tail keywords?

Long-tail keywords are keyword phrases that consist of three or more words. They are more specific than a two-word phrase, and thus typically have less competition from other websites.

For example, “men’s shoes” is a two-word phrase that would be considered an average-length keyword, but “men’s leather running shoes” is a long-tail keyword.

Due to the specificity of long-tail keywords, they are often used by search engines to determine what a website is about and thus appear in more targeted search engine results pages (SERPs). This makes them an important tool for SEO, as it allows you to target searches that have less competition but still hold significant potential.

How do I differentiate between short and long-tail keywords?

When it comes to keywords, it is important to understand the differences between short and long-tail keywords.

As mentioned above, short-tail keywords are two or three words long and are more commonly used than long-tail keywords. They can sometimes be too broad to effectively target a specific audience and will often result in higher bounce rates (i.e. people leaving your website after viewing one page).

On the other hand, long-tail keywords are much more specific and are more likely to generate targeted traffic. Generally speaking, long-tail keywords should include three or more words that accurately describe what you offer on your website. For example, if you’re a shoe store, then “men’s leather running shoes” would be a long-tail keyword that accurately describes the type of product you offer.

What are the two types of long-tail keywords?

Now that you know the difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords, it’s not time to talk about the two types of long-tail keywords: supporting and topical.

Supporting

Supporting long-tail keywords are phrases that provide additional context to the main keyword. For example, if you were targeting the keyword “men’s shoes” then your supporting long-tail keywords could include “men’s running shoes”, “men’s dress shoes”, etc. These keywords help search engines better understand what a website is about and thus help it rank higher in SERPs.

Topical

Topical long-tail keywords are phrases that target a specific topic or issue. For example, if you were writing about the health benefits of running then “running benefits for weight loss” would be a topical long-tail keyword. These types of keywords help boost the relevance and authority of your website by targeting specific questions and topics.

Why are long-tail keywords valuable?

Long-tail keywords are incredibly valuable for SEO because they allow you to target specific audiences with less competition. This means that there is a much better chance of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). The search volume for long-tail keywords may be lower than for short-tail keywords, but the potential for targeted traffic is much higher. Furthermore, long-tail keywords tend to have higher conversion rates due to the specificity of the searches.

Additionally, long-tail keywords can help you gain an understanding of how people are searching for your products or services. By analyzing the long-tail keywords used in searches, you can identify trends in terms of search intent and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Long-tail keywords are low competition, meaning they are much easier to rank for than short-tail keywords. This makes them a great option for those who are just starting out in SEO or need to quickly make their mark on SERPs. If you have newer blogs without a lot of domain authority, long-tail keywords are a great way to gain visibility and rank more quickly.

When should I use long-tail keyword phrases?

The best time to use long-tail keyword phrases is when you are optimizing content for SEO. Long-tail keywords can help drive targeted traffic, improve your website’s relevance in the search engine results pages (SERPs), and drive organic search queries.

It is also important to note that long-tail keywords should never be used as standalone phrases. Rather, they should be integrated into content in a natural and relevant way. This ensures that search engines recognize the keyword phrases and understand the context of your content.

Finally, it is important to ensure that long-tail keywords are used strategically throughout your website (try not to use the same keyword twice or else you risk keyword cannibalization). Creating a list of long-tail keywords for each page can help you ensure that they are used properly and for maximum SEO value.

Vector concept: Business team analyzing website ranking for search engine optimization

How do I find long-tail keyword ideas?

Finding long-tail keywords is the first step to optimizing your SEO strategy. There are a few tools you can use to help you with this process:

Google Suggest

Google Suggest is a great way to get ideas for long-tail keywords. Simply type your keyword into the search bar and scroll down to see what other people are searching for related to that keyword.

Google related searches

Google related searches are another great way to uncover long-tail keywords. At the bottom of any search results page, you’ll see a list of related searches that people commonly make when searching for the same term.

Google Keyword Planner

The Google keyword planner is a powerful tool that can help you find long-tail keywords related to your business. By entering your business niche, you can quickly generate a list of long-tail keywords that will help you reach your target audience.

Keyword research tools

There are also several keyword research tools available online that can help you identify long-tail keywords. These tools are typically paid services, but they can be incredibly helpful in finding long-tail keywords that you may not have considered before. Some keyword research tools that are popular include Semrush, Answer the Public, and Ahrefs. Simply access these tools and enter a keyword to see related long-tail keywords.

Research competition

Another great way to find long-tail keywords is to research which keywords your competition is using. You can use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find keyword suggestions and related keywords your competitors are ranking for, and then you can target those same long-tail keywords in order to rank higher than them.

Take advantage of your analytics

Finally, don’t forget to take a look at the analytics of your website. Your Google Analytics data can provide you with insights into search v which long-tail keywords people are using when they visit your website, and this information can be incredibly valuable in helping you target those same keywords for SEO purposes.

How do I optimize long-tail keywords for SEO?

Once you have identified the long-tail keywords you want to target, it’s time to optimize them for SEO. Here are a few tips on optimizing long-tail keywords:

Include those keywords in your page titles and headings

Having the keywords in the headings and titles of your page can help search engines understand what your content is about and how it should be ranked.

Include those keywords in ALT tags on images

Adding alt tags with long-tail keywords to all images on a page will help search engine crawlers to better understand the content of the page. This can be beneficial for SEO purposes.

Create content that is relevant to the keyword phrases

Creating content that is relevant to the long-tail keywords you are targeting will help search engines understand the context of your page. This can also help you rank higher for those keywords.

By utilizing long-tail keyword phrases, you can improve your website’s relevance in the search engine results pages and drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Use meta descriptions to highlight the most important long-tail keywords

Meta descriptions are an important part of SEO, as they provide search engines with a brief description of the content on your page. Including long-tail keywords in your meta descriptions can help search engines to better understand what your page is about and how it should be ranked.

Link relevant content on your website together with long-tail keywords as anchor text

Including links between pages on your website and using long-tail keywords as anchor text can help search engines understand the context of the page and also help you rank higher for those relevant keywords.

Monitor your keyword rankings and adjust them accordingly over time if necessary

Finally, it’s important to keep an eye on your keyword rankings and adjust them as needed. You may find that certain long-tail keywords are performing better than others, or that you need to tweak the content of your page in order to rank higher for those keywords. By monitoring your keyword rankings and making necessary changes, you can ensure that your pages are optimized for the best possible SEO performance.

By understanding long-tail keywords and optimizing your website accordingly, you can improve your search engine rankings and drive more targeted traffic to your site. Long-tail keywords can be a great way to target specific audiences and increase overall visibility for your website.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, specific long-tail keywords are an invaluable tool for SEO and online marketing. They help boost relevance, target specific audiences with less competition, and have higher conversion rates due to their specificity. There are multiple ways that you can find these keywords; from Google Suggests or Related Searches to keyword research tools such as Semrush or Answer the Public.

Additionally, researching your competitors’ use of long-tail keywords is a great way to identify potential phrases that could increase your rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs). Finally, make sure not to forget about taking advantage of analytics data – it will provide insights into which long-tail keywords people are using when they visit your website. Ultimately, by leveraging all of these resources together you should be able to create a strong strategy for optimizing the usage of long-tail keywords on your website for maximum SEO value!

Completely new to SEO? Check out our blog on the 4 essential types of SEO!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a long-tail keyword in SEO?

The purpose of a long-tail keyword in SEO is to target specific audiences with less competition and have higher conversion rates due to their specificity. Long-tail keywords also help boost relevance, allowing you to rank higher than competitors who are targeting generic short-tail keywords.

What are long-tail keyword examples?

Long-tail keyword examples include phrases such as “best Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh” or “how to grow an organic garden.” These are more specific searches than the generic short-tail keywords like “restaurant” or “gardening.”

What is the biggest advantage of long-tail keywords?

The biggest advantage of long-tail keywords is the high conversion rate. Because long-tail keywords are so specific, people who search for them are more likely to purchase a product or service than those who use shorter, less specific search terms.

How can I optimize my website for long-tail keywords?

You can optimize your website for long-tail keywords by doing keyword research and analyzing which phrases people are commonly using when they search for topics related to your business. You can also research your competitors’ use of keywords in order to identify potential phrases that could increase your rankings.

Additionally, make sure not to forget about taking advantage of analytics data – it will provide insights into which long-tail keywords people are using when they visit your website. Ultimately, by leveraging all of these resources together you should be able to create a strong strategy for optimizing the usage of long-tail keywords on your website for maximum SEO value!

Noelle Thuillier

Noelle Thuillier

Noelle is a Content Specialist for WGM. She writes and edits all business content, including blogs, press releases, social media posts, and technical writing pieces. With over ten years of experience writing, Noelle has been published on many reputable sites during her career, including TheScriptLab.com and HelloGiggles.com. Before coming to WGM, she worked as a News Director at KWHI in Brenham, Texas. Noelle oversaw the newsroom writing stories, producing content, and being an on-air personality. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Noelle holds a Master in Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Greenwich in London, England. Noelle’s other passion in life is her family. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, daughter, Frankie, and English Bulldog, Alvin. She also loves to travel, with her favorite destinations so far being Ireland and the Czech Republic.

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