March 3, 2023
11
min read
Long-Tailed Keywords: The #1 Tool And Ultimate Tactical Guide
Learn why long-tailed keywords are crucial for content strategists and how to use them effectively in your marketing.
Content strategists are constantly searching for ways to make their content more visible to their target audience.
One of the most effective ways to do this is by using long-tailed keywords. While short-tail keywords may seem like the obvious choice for content optimization, long-tailed keywords have proven to be much more powerful when it comes to increasing search engine rankings and attracting targeted traffic.
In this guide, we will explore what long-tailed keywords are, why they are important, and how to use them effectively in your content marketing strategy.
What are Long-Tailed Keywords?
Long-tailed keywords refer to longer, more specific phrases that are used to target a particular audience. They are typically made up of three or more words and are much more specific than short-tail keywords, which are generally one or two words in length.
For example, if your business sells running shoes, a short-tail keyword might be "shoes," while a long-tailed keyword could be "best running shoes for women with flat feet." The latter is much more specific and targeted, making it much more likely to attract the right audience to your content.
Long-tailed keywords are important for several reasons. Firstly, they help you to target your audience more effectively. By using specific phrases in your content, you are more likely to attract people who are actively searching for the products or services that you offer.
Examples of long-tailed keywords
To help you better understand long-tailed keywords, here are some examples of phrases that could be considered as such:
1. "Affordable vegan restaurants in downtown Austin"
2. "How to train for a half marathon as a beginner"
3. "Best natural skincare products for sensitive skin"
4. "Top-rated camping gear for families with young children"
5. "Luxury beach resorts in Bali with private villas"
As you can see, these phrases are longer and more specific than their short-tail counterparts. They target a particular audience and address a specific need or interest, making them highly relevant and valuable for content optimization.
To identify long-tailed keywords for your target audience, you can use various free tools, such as Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or AnswerThePublic. These tools help you discover popular search queries related to your industry, products, or services, and give you insights into their search volume, competition, and relevance.
In conclusion, long-tailed keywords are a powerful tool for content strategists who want to increase their visibility and attract the right audience to their content. By using specific phrases in your content, you can tap into your target audience's needs and interests, and rank higher in search engine results pages. So, next time you're optimizing your content, don't forget to include some long-tailed keywords in your strategy!
Why are Long-Tailed Keywords Important?
Long-tailed keywords are an essential part of any content marketing strategy.
Benefits of using long-tailed keywords
As a content strategist, it’s important to understand the value of using long-tailed keywords in your content. Long-tailed keywords are longer and more specific phrases that people use when searching for something on the internet.
While they may have lower search volumes compared to short-tail keywords, they can bring in more targeted traffic to your website. Here are some benefits of using long-tailed keywords:
1. Higher conversion rates
Long-tailed keywords are more specific and targeted, which means that people who use them are more likely to be looking for exactly what you offer. As a result, these visitors are more likely to convert into customers or subscribers.
2. Lower competition
Long-tailed keywords are less competitive compared to short-tail keywords, which means that you have a better chance of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This can help you get more visibility and traffic to your website.
3. Better user experience
When you use long-tailed keywords, you’re providing users with more specific and relevant content that matches their search intent. This can improve the user experience and increase the likelihood of them returning to your website in the future.
4. Improved content relevance
Using long-tailed keywords can help you create more targeted and relevant content that addresses the specific needs of your audience. This can help you establish yourself as an authority in your niche and attract more visitors to your website.
5. Cost-effective advertising
Long-tailed keywords can also be used in paid advertising campaigns
Comparison with short-tailed keywords
Short-tailed keywords, also known as broad keywords, are shorter and more general phrases that have higher search volumes. While they can bring in a lot of traffic, they may not be as targeted as long-tailed keywords.
Here are some key differences between long-tailed and short-tailed keywords:
- Search volume: Short-tail keywords have higher search volumes compared to long-tail keywords.
- Competition: Short-tail keywords are highly competitive, making it difficult to rank higher in search engine results pages.
- Conversion rates: While short-tail keywords can bring in more traffic, they may not convert as well as long-tail keywords because they are not as targeted.
- Relevance: Long-tail keywords provide more specific and relevant content to users, while short-tail keywords may not always match the user's search intent.
- Cost: Short-tail keywords are often more expensive to bid on in paid advertising campaigns.
Overall, using a combination of long-tailed and short-tailed keywords in your content strategy can help you attract the right audience and improve your search engine rankings. By understanding the benefits of using long-tailed keywords, you can create more targeted and relevant content that meets the specific needs of your audience. So, start incorporating long-tailed keywords into your content strategy today and see the difference it can make in your website's traffic and conversions.
How they improve search engine ranking
Long-tailed keywords play a critical role in improving your search engine rankings. These keywords are more specific and targeted, which means they can help you rank higher on search engine results pages for niche topics. Here are some ways in which long-tailed keywords can improve your search engine ranking:
1. Reduced competition: Long-tailed keywords have lower competition compared to short-tail keywords, making it easier for you to rank higher on search engine results pages.
2. Improved relevance: Long-tailed keywords provide more relevant and specific content to users, which can improve their search experience and increase the likelihood of them staying on your website.
3. Better user experience: By using long-tailed keywords, you can create more targeted and relevant content that matches the user's search intent, thereby improving their experience on your website.
4. Increased backlinks: Long-tailed keywords can attract more backlinks from other websites, which can improve your website's authority and credibility with search engines.
Incorporating long-tailed keywords into your content strategy can help you attract the right audience, improve your search engine ranking, and increase your website's traffic and conversions. So, make sure to use this free tool to identify keywords that align with your target audience's needs and preferences.
How to Identify Long-Tailed Keywords?
But how do we identify these long-tailed keywords?
To identify long-tailed keywords, one can use the free keyword search volume tool offered by our own tool here at SearchVolume.io.
This tool provides data on the average monthly search volume for a given keyword. Here's how you can use it to find long-tailed keywords:
- Brainstorm: Start by brainstorming words related to your topic with your colleagues. Write down all the words you can think of.
- Gross list: Choose the words from the brainstorm that make sense for your business to rank for. Write down the words on a list. This is your gross list, which you will need in further research.
- Refine and expand your keyword gross list: Go to StoryBase.com and enter your gross list into the search box. StoryBase acts as a "reverse search engine" and gives you all the long-tail search terms related to the words on your gross list.
- Search volume analysis: Copy-paste your refined keyword list into the SearchVolume.io keyword volume checker. The tool gives you the average monthly search volume for each keyword right away.
By using SearchVolume.io, you can quickly identify long-tailed keywords that are relevant to your business and have lower competition, making it easier for you to rank higher on search engine results pages. Incorporating these keywords into your content strategy can help you attract the right audience and improve your search engine ranking.
Alternatively you can use something like SEO.ai or Ahref.com.
Tips for identifying the right long-tailed keywords
When identifying long-tailed keywords, keep in mind the following tips:
- Be specific: Long-tailed keywords are specific and targeted to a particular audience. Use phrases that capture the essence of what your audience is searching for.
- Think like your audience: Put yourself in the shoes of your target audience and try to think of the words and phrases they would use to search for your product or service.
- Look for low competition: Long-tailed keywords with low competition are easier to rank for on search engine results pages.
- Use variations: Use variations of your long-tailed keywords to capture a wider range of search terms and attract a broader audience.
By following these tips and using the free keyword search volume tool offered by SearchVolume.io or other similar tools, you can identify long-tailed keywords that will boost your content strategy and attract the right audience to your website.
Best Practices for Using Long-Tailed Keywords
Once you have identified the right long-tailed keywords for your business, it's important to use them strategically in your content strategy. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:
Use keywords naturally: Don't stuff your content with keywords. Use them naturally in your headlines, subheadings, and body text.
Optimize meta tags: Make sure to incorporate your long-tailed keywords into your meta tags, including the title tag, meta description, and header tags.
Create quality content: Focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your audience. Incorporate your long-tailed keywords in a way that enhances the user experience.
Monitor your results: Keep an eye on your search engine rankings and website traffic to see how your long-tailed keywords are performing. This will help you adjust your strategy as needed.
By following these best practices and using long-tailed keywords effectively, you can improve your search engine ranking, attract the right audience to your website, and ultimately drive more conversions and sales for your business.
How can long-tailed keywords help improve user engagement?
Here's how long-tailed keywords can improve user engagement:
1. They attract highly targeted traffic
Since long-tailed keywords are more specific, they attract highly targeted traffic that is more likely to engage with your content.
For instance, if someone searches for "best vegan restaurants in San Francisco," they are likely to be interested in that topic and more engaged with your content if they find what they're looking for.
2. They help you create more relevant content
By using long-tailed keywords, you can create more relevant content that addresses a specific need or question of your target audience. This will help you establish your authority in your niche and build trust with your audience.
3. They increase your chances of appearing in featured snippets
Featured snippets are the boxes that appear at the top of search results, providing users with quick and useful answers to their queries.
Since long-tailed keywords are more specific, they increase your chances of appearing in featured snippets, which can significantly improve your click-through rates and user engagement.
Conclusion
As a content strategist, it's crucial to understand the importance of long-tailed keywords in your content strategy.
By targeting specific, niche keywords, you can attract a targeted audience and improve your search engine ranking. Remember to be specific, think like your audience, and look for low competition when selecting long-tailed keywords.
Use them naturally in your content, optimize meta tags, and focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your audience.
Monitor your results and adjust your strategy as needed. Incorporating long-tailed keywords into your content strategy can help you drive more conversions and sales for your business.
