What is a Long Tail Keyword?
A long tail keyword is a specific, multi-word search phrase that targets a narrow audience. It has lower search volume but less competition, making it easier to rank for. For example, instead of “shoes,” a long tail keyword would be “best running shoes under $50.” These keywords often convert more effectively because they align with the searcher’s specific intent.
These keywords typically consist of three or more words and match what people are actually looking for, such as answers, products, or help. Because they are more specific, they often bring in visitors who are ready to buy or take action.
Why Are Long Tail Keywords Important for SEO?
- Lower Competition:
Long-tail keywords face significantly less competition compared to short or broad-term keywords. This means it’s easier to rank higher on Google for these keywords.
- Higher Conversion Rates:
Since these keywords are more specific, they generally attract more qualified visitors. For example, if a person searching for “best running shoes under $50” is likely further down the purchase process compared to someone just searching for “running shoes” but doesn’t have a clear intent to buy.
- Improved Targeting:
Long-tail keywords allow you to target niche audiences more precisely, enabling you to create relevant content that resonates with your visitors.
- Better User Intent Match:
Long-tail keywords often align more closely with the searcher’s intent, which improves the user experience and reduces bounce rates, leading to more conversions.
How to Find Long Tail Keywords
Finding long tail keywords isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Several strategies and online tools are available to help you identify long tail, short tail and LSI keywords easily. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Brainstorm Your Core Topics
Begin by considering the core topics and their relevance to your products. Break these topics down into subtopics that align with what your audience is looking for.
For example, if you run a tech blog, your core topics might be:
- Technology
- AI in cybersecurity
- Machine learning
Next, consider how your audience might phrase their queries in a more specific way, which could lead to potential long-tail keyword ideas.
2. Use Online Keyword Research Tools
There are several tools designed to help identify long tail keywords. Some of the best tools include:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Ubersuggest
When using these tools, focus on keywords with relatively low competition and decent search volume, as these are the ideal long-tail targets.
3. Use Google Autocomplete and Related Searches
Google’s autocomplete sentence feature can help you discover what people often search for. Just start typing a general keyword into Google’s search bar, and it will suggest popular related terms, many of which are great long-tail keyword ideas. Also, scroll to the bottom of the search results page to see “related searches.” These are other common queries related to your original search and can provide you with even more long-tail keyword options.
4. Explore Quora and Reddit
People often ask questions on platforms like Quora and Reddit. These sites can provide direct insight into the specific questions people are asking about your related products, which you can then use to create long-tail keywords. For example, on a tech blog, you may find questions like:
- “What is the latest technology?”
- “What is the impact of technology in education?”
These can be converted into long-tail keyword phrases to target with your content.
5. Analyze Competitor Keywords
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze which long-tail keywords your competitors are targeting. This can give you a clear idea of untapped opportunities. Focus on keywords that your competitors may not be ranking for well, which allows you to target those keywords.
6. Consider Customer Feedback and FAQs
If you don’t know which specific long keywords to use, just ask your customers. Review their feedback, questions, and the issues they raise. These can give you great ideas for long-tail keywords.
For example, a common question like “What is the best tech innovation today?” could be turned into a long-tail keyword: “What is the best tech innovation in education in 2025?”.
Beware: How to Do Keyword Research for SEO
How to Use Long Tail Keywords Effectively
Once you’ve identified your long tail keywords, it’s important to use them properly in your SEO strategy:
1. Create Focused Content
Write blog posts, articles, product descriptions, or landing pages that focus specifically on a long-tail keyword. Be sure to cover the topic comprehensively to match the user’s intent and answer their questions.
2. Optimize On-Page SEO
Ensure that your long-tail keywords are included in your content, title tags, meta descriptions, heading tags (H1, H2, H3), and throughout your entire content.
3. Use Internal Linking
Use internal links to guide visitors from one long-tail targeted page to another. This helps increase page authority and enhances the overall SEO performance of your website.
4. Monitor Performance
Keep track of how your long tail keywords are performing using tools like Google Analytics. This will help you see which keywords are driving traffic, converting, and which ones need further optimization.
