What are long-tail keywords and how can you use them for SEO
The secret to efficient keyword research is to incorporate long-tail keywords into your SEO plan. Long-tail keywords are crucial to target since they can rank well in search engines without a strong domain authority or a large number of backlinks. I’ll explain long-tail keywords to you and walk you through how to select the best long-tail keywords and phrases for your marketing plan’s content.
- Long-tail keywords are expressions with three to five words or more and little search traffic. Compared to short keyword phrases, these phrases are more focused and have a higher search intent.
- Because they represent transactional user queries, long-tail keywords have a tendency to be less competitive and have a higher business value.
- You may research long-tail keywords in a variety of methods, including by using SEO tools, Google Search Console, and even the websites of your rivals.
Long-tail keywords: what are they?
Long-tail keywords are lengthier, more precise search terms that, in most cases, receive little to no search traffic. They frequently have a greater conversion aim and are normally at least 3-5 words long.
Long-tail keywords can become more targeted and specialised by adding keyword modifiers. For a more focused search, you can supplement your seed term with other words called keyword modifiers.
For instance, while “jeans” is a general head phrase, the search term “black skinny jeans for women” is a long-tail keyword query. Alternately, you might use “Abraham Lincoln” as a long-tail keyword by adding “Abraham Lincoln birthplace.”
So-called head keywords invite the most search traffic and are difficult to rank for because every web page is going after them. Medium-tail keywords are more specific and generate a decent amount of monthly traffic. Long-tail keywords in comparison, have the lowest monthly search volume and are hence, easier to rank for since most websites want to focus on keywords with large search potential.
The graph below depicts how keyword length impacts search volume.
But due to keyword modifiers that might produce a large number of them, long-tail searches are more prevalent than others. According to Ahrefs, 95% of the terms that have been searched for online have a search volume of up to 10.
Although there isn’t much traffic from long-tail inquiries, it might pile up because so many people are still looking for them. By doing so, you can still reach your target market while ranking for less competitive terms.
Although there isn’t much traffic from long-tail inquiries, it might pile up because so many people are still looking for them. By doing so, you can still reach your target market while ranking for less competitive terms.
Why is keyword research using long-tail keywords important?
All search possibilities should be taken into account throughout the keyword research process, but long-tail keywords should always be a part of a comprehensive keyword strategy. I’ll go through two significant arguments in favour of long-tail keywords below.
Long-tail search terms have lower competition.
For a variety of reasons, long-tail keywords are simpler to rank for in search results. They are endless in number, to begin with. There are a number of topics in every niche that have a low search volume but nevertheless bring in relevant traffic that can pile up.
They aren’t targeted by businesses with a lot of resources to produce content, in contrast to short and medium tail keywords. In the USA, for instance, there are 2900 monthly searches for the general phrase “learn SEO,” according to the phrase Surfer.
Additionally, keyword difficulty scores for long-tail keywords are lower. When determining how challenging it would be to rank for a certain search query, keyword difficulty can be useful.
You can view the MSV (monthly search volume) and customized keyword difficulty for each keyword in Surfer’s Keyword Research tool. When asses
sing your likelihood to rank for a specific keyword, taking both indicators into account can be helpful.
