Long-Tail Keywords: How to Find and Use Them in SEO - SEO Salt Lake City | Utah and Park City SEO

Keywords are at the core of any SEO strategy as they help search engines understand your content and bring it in front of the right users. Long-tail keywords are an essential part of every professional SEO and account for 70% of web searches. These keywords focus on attracting more targeted traffic to your website as they use a specific set of words (minimum three) that represent your content’s niche. Keep reading to find out all the secrets of long-tail keywords and how to make them work for your business!

What Are Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are specific, detailed search phrases consisting of three or more words that target a narrow audience or particular search intent. These keywords are less commonly searched but tend to attract more qualified and highly targeted traffic, making them easier to rank for and often leading to higher conversion rates.

Unlike generic short-tail keywords such as “purses” a long-tail keyword might be “elegant purses for special events”.

Users who have a clearer intent and know what they are looking for will use long-tail keywords to find relevant and useful content. These keywords are less used in searches but, thanks to their specific nature, attract a higher conversion rate.

Long-Tail vs Short-Tail Keywords

Long-tail and short-tail keywords are both crucial, but they serve different purposes. Short-tail keywords cast a wide net, capturing a broad audience and driving substantial traffic due to their high search volume. On the other hand, long-tail keywords, being more specific, are easier to rank for and attract more qualified, highly targeted traffic.

A complete SEO strategy needs to incorporate both short-tail and long-tail keywords to deliver an increased ranking position and conversion rates. By using both types of keywords, you can tap into a variety of traffic sources. Short-tail keywords can bring in users with general interest, whereas long-tail keywords can capture users with specific intent.

Benefits of Using Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are not just efficient; they are a powerful tool in your SEO arsenal. They attract users who are more determined to become customers, thanks to their clearer intent. But the benefits of using long-tail keywords in your content go beyond this aspect as follows:

Increased Conversion Rates: Using the right long-tail keywords can help you reach qualified leads. When users search for “best cat food for kittens” for instance, they show a clearer intent to purchase such a product. To you, this means more conversion rates by offering your users exactly what they need.
Lower Competition: Long-tail keywords are more specific, which makes them less competitive. Therefore, it is easier to rank higher with long-tail keywords than with short-tail keywords. The lower competition also improves visibility and increases the chances of reaching new customers.
Improved User Intent Matching: When using long-tail keywords, your main goal is to match user intent as closely as possible. Your content should contain the queries that your audience is searching for. Matching user intent is important for increasing conversion rates, better ranking, and improved brand awareness.
Cost-Effective for PPC: In paid search campaigns, long-tail keywords often have a lower cost-per-click (CPC) than generic terms. This cost efficiency allows you to stretch your budget further while attracting highly interested users, making you a savvy marketer.

How to Find Long-Tail Keywords

Now that you know what long-tail keywords are and why you should incorporate them into your SEO strategy and content, it is equally important to know how to find them.

Tools and Techniques

Using keyword-generating tools can be incredibly helpful when you need clarification on what keywords to target for your content or what your potential clients are searching for. Some of the best tools to find long-tail keywords include Google Keyword Planner, which offers a list of related keywords and their search volumes. It is a great starting point for identifying lower competition, highly specific keywords.

For more detailed keyword research, SEMrush provides in-depth data through its Keyword Magic Tool, allowing you to filter by search volume, difficulty, and word count. Ahrefs‘ Keywords Explorer also generates long-tail keywords based on a seed keyword and provides data on keyword difficulty, search volume, and potential traffic.

Analyzing Competitor Keywords

Analyzing your competitor’s keyword strategy can help you find gaps and opportunities and get ahead of them. Compare their keywords with yours and find those they didn’t use to their full potential. These gaps can be a goldmine for your SEO strategy, allowing you to target specific phrases that have lower competition but high relevance to your audience.

Leveraging Google Suggest and Related Searches

Google can also help you find the right long-tail keywords for your content with no hassle. Type a broad keyword related to your niche in the search bar, and Google will automatically list related phrases that people use to get the results they want. The Related Searched section at the end of your Google search results can also guide you toward the most popular long-tail keywords in your niche.

Measuring the Success of Long-Tail Keywords

Tracking the impact of your long-tail keywords on the success of your content is crucial for adjusting your SEO strategy. Keep in mind the following aspects:

Tracking Metrics: Measure the impact of your long-tail keyword strategy by tracking key metrics such as organic traffic, conversion rates, and ranking improvements. These metrics will show you how efficient your strategy is.
Tools for Monitoring Performance: You can use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor the performance of your long-tail keywords. These tools offer detailed reports on how users are interacting with your content and which keywords are driving traffic.
Adjusting Strategies Based on Data: SEO is not a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. Continuously analyze performance data and adjust your approach based on what’s working and what’s not. This proactive approach is key to a successful SEO strategy.

Wrap-up

Adding long-tail keywords to your content strategy can boost your website’s traffic, conversion rates, and brand awareness. With less competition and more chances to achieve qualified leads, you can rank higher. Integrate your long-tail keywords into your on-page SEO strategy, too, and avoid keyword stuffing, as it can have a negative impact on user engagement and search engine rankings.