Including long-tail keywords in your content is one of the most effective SEO strategies for driving targeted traffic to your site. But what are long-tail keywords, and how can you utilize them? This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know.
What Are Long-Tail Keywords?
Long-tail keywords are more specific, longer search queries, usually with 3 or more words. For example, “red shoes” is a short-tail query, while “dark red high heel evening shoes” is a long-tail keyword phrase.
The main benefit of long-tail keywords is that they help you reach highly targeted searchers who are already looking for very specific types of content. Although long-tail searches have lower individual search volume, collectively they account for 70-80% of all searches. Optimizing for long-tail keywords is a crucial SEO and content marketing strategy.
Why Are Long-Tail Keywords Important for SEO?
There are several key reasons why long-tail keywords can significantly improve your SEO and content marketing results:
They Have Lower Competition
General short-tail keywords like “shoes” are extremely competitive. Long-tail versions like “comfortable trail hiking shoes for women” have much lower competition, making it easier to rank well.
They Are More Specific
Short keywords cast a wide net that attracts people at all stages of the buyer’s journey. Long-tail queries indicate someone is further down the funnel and ready to purchase or convert.
They Convert Better
Hyper-specific long-tail terms have higher conversion rates because they draw in motivated searchers who know exactly what they want.
They Bring Targeted Traffic
Short keywords bring traffic of varying quality. Long-tail terms attract visitors who are an ideal fit for your content and offerings.
They Expand Your Reach
There are countless niche long-tail queries related to your business. Targeting them allows you to be found across a wider range of searches.
By optimizing for highly relevant long-tail keywords, you can expand your presence on Google and improve conversion rates from your website traffic.
How to Research and Find the Best Long-Tail Keywords
Conducting thorough long-tail keyword research is crucial for maximizing the benefits of long-tail SEO. Here are some tips for researching and identifying the best long-tail terms for your business:
Use Google’s Keyword Planner
Google’s free Keyword Planner tool lets you discover long-tail keyword variations and see monthly search volume data. Look for low-competition terms with decent search volume.
Analyze Your Site Analytics
Look at your site traffic sources reports to identify new long-tail queries people are already using to find your site organically. Optimize for those terms.
Use Keyword Research Tools
Options like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz’s Keyword Explorer are ideal for generating long-tail keyword ideas and filtering by search volume and difficulty.
Mine Competitor Content
Study what long-tail terms your competitors are ranking for. You can outperform them on niche long-tail phrases with focused optimization.
Leverage Autocomplete Suggestions
Type seed keywords into Google and look through the autocomplete suggestions for fresh long-tail ideas.
Brainstorm Variations
Start with a target keyword and expand it by adding modifiers, adjectives, types, locations, brands, etc. This helps spark new long-tail ideas.
Include Questions
People often search for long-tail keywords in question format like “how to…” and “what is the best…” Make these types of question keywords part of your strategy.
Thorough long-tail keyword research takes time, but it ensures you discover the very best terms to focus your SEO efforts on.
Tips for Optimizing Your Site for Long-Tail Keywords
Once you’ve compiled your list of target long-tail keywords, it’s time to optimize your site to rank for them. Here are some best practices:
- Create dedicated content – Write blog posts, guides, and articles focused on ranking for each main long-tail term. Include the keyword prominently in headings.
- Weave into overall content – Organically integrate secondary long-tail phrases into your broader content to interlink topics.
- Optimize pages for semantically related terms – Include synonyms, questions, and other semantic variations to widen your reach.
- Add long-tail terms to metadata – Include keywords in page titles, meta descriptions, image alt text, etc.
- Include in structured data – Adding keywords to schema markup helps search engines understand your content’s focus.
- Crosslink internal content – Link relevant pages together to boost authority for surrounding keywords.
- Create list posts and guides – Build resource pages targeting multiple long-tail variations, like “types of [keyword]” and “best [keywords].”
When done right, long-tail keyword optimization provides a major boost to organic search rankings by making your content more findable for those all-important niche queries.
Maximize Your Long-Tail SEO with Helpful Tools
In addition to manual optimization best practices, several tools can streamline incorporating long-tail keywords on your site:
- SEMrush Content Marketing Toolkit – SEMrush’s helpful plugin gives long-tail keyword recommendations as you write posts.
- Yoast SEO – Yoast’s popular SEO plugin analyzes your content and highlights areas to improve keyword-focused optimization.
- Frase – Frase assists with long-tail keyword research and tracking keyword usage within your WordPress content.
- Surfer SEO – Surfer helps you optimize pages for long-tail terms with synonyms, questions, and semantic variations.
- Google Search Console – Search Console data reveals which long-tail terms are already driving traffic to your site.
Leveraging tools like these along with robust keyword research makes executing a successful long-tail keyword strategy much simpler.
Common Long-Tail Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Certain pitfalls can undermine your long-tail SEO efforts. Be sure to avoid these common long-tail keyword optimization mistakes:
- Targeting overly long and obscure keywords with no search volume.
- Forcing keywords awkwardly into content instead of integrating them naturally.
- Focusing too much on keyword volume over relevance.
- Duplicating the same keywords over and over without variations.
- Optimizing for competitive long-tail terms outside of your niche.
- Including keywords only in superficial areas like titles without using them in content.
- Spamming keywords without adding real value for readers.
With the right strategy, optimizing for long-tail keywords provides massive SEO benefits. Just be sure to avoid these key mistakes in order to maximize your results.
The Bottom Line: Why You Should Use Long-Tail Keywords
In summary, here are the main reasons long-tail keywords should be a core part of your SEO and content marketing strategies:
- They convert better by attracting highly targeted searchers.
- They have less competition, making it easier to rank well.
- They drive targeted traffic that is more relevant.
- They help expand your organic search visibility and reach.
- They allow you to tap into the 70-80% of searches that are long-tail.
Focusing your efforts around researching and optimizing for smart long-tail keyword opportunities will significantly improve website traffic, leads, and conversions over time.
Prioritizing long-tail SEO is a best practice for any website looking to boost its organic search performance. With the right strategy, long-tail keywords can help take your SEO results to the next level.
Summary of Key Points:
- Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases like “best shoes for nurses with plantar fasciitis.”
- They convert better and have less competition compared to short keywords.
- Include long-tail terms in titles, content, metadata, and structured data.
- Research keywords with tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush.
- Write targeted content optimized for long-tail terms.
- Avoid over-optimization and other common long-tail keyword mistakes.
- Long-tail SEO greatly improves traffic quality and search rankings when done right.
Focusing your SEO strategy around long-tail keywords can significantly boost your organic search traffic and conversion rates. With robust research and optimization, long-tail keywords offer one of the best returns on investment in SEO.
