What are long-tail keywords?

Long-Tail Keywords are keyword phrases that are more specific and longer than more commonly used keywords. Most of the time, they are three or more words long and highly targeted to a specific niche or audience. Long-tail keywords can draw in more targeted traffic despite being less competitive.

According to ahrefs.com:

“Long-tail keywords are search queries that get a small number of searches per month. They tend to be longer and more specific than their “head” counterparts and, therefore, often have a higher conversion rate.”

Characteristics

A long-tail keyword has several characteristics, such as:

  • Specific

They’re very specific to what the user is searching for.

  • Length

They are usually three or more words long.

  • Lower search volume

Long-tail keywords have a lower search rate compared to shorter and more generic keywords.

  • Higher conversion rates

Since they are more specific and have a lower search volume, they can lead to higher conversion rates as they target users further down the buying funnel.

Importance in SEO and digital marketing

How important are long-tail keywords in SEO (search engine optimization) and digital marketing? The following will help you understand:

  • Targeted traffic

They attract users who are looking for specific products or information, which leads to more or better quality leads.

  • Less competition

These keywords have less competition compared to shorter and more generic ones.

  • Content relevance

They help create more focused and relevant content to meet specific user needs.

Effective use of long-tail keywords

Here are some useful tips that should help you:

  • Research

Use keyword research to find long-tail keywords that are relevant to your business or content.

  • Content strategy

Include them in product descriptions, FAQs, and blog posts as part of your content strategy.

  • User intent

Consider the user’s search intent behind the keywords to tailor your content more effectively, ensuring it meets their needs and queries.

Image contrasting Keywords with Long-Tail Keywords.
Image created by Market Business News.

Challenges

Using long-tail keywords involves several challenges, including:

  • Search volume

Compared to more generic keywords, they will attract less traffic due to their lower search volume.

  • Striking the right balance

These keywords need to be naturally incorporated into your materials. Avoid overloading your texts with too many of these keywords.

Examples

The following are four examples of long-tail keywords:

  • “Women’s trail running shoe size” instead of just “running shoes.”
  • “Low-calorie vegan dinner recipes” rather than “healthy recipes.”
  • “Organic gardening soil for vegetables” instead of simply “gardening soil.”
  • “Best smartphones for photography under $500” rather than “smartphones.”

Written by Nicolas Perez Diaz