Long-tail keywords are probably a phrase you’ve heard thrown around as you plan your content marketing. But do you know what it means? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers here with the complete guide to why long-tail keywords are an important part of your SEO strategy and how you can implement them in your content plan.
So what are long-tail keywords? Long-tail keywords are specific phrases consisting of three or more words that target a particular query or user intent. Unlike short-tail keywords that are broad and generic, long-tail keywords are more targeted and specific. For example, “women’s running shoes” is a short-tail keyword, whereas “best store to buy women’s running shoes for flat feet in Brooklyn” is a long-tail keyword.
Examples of Long-tail Keywords
Here are some examples of long-tail keywords:
- “best yoga mats for beginners”
- “vegan protein powder for weight loss”
- “how to start a vegetable garden for beginners”
- “low-carb recipes for meal prep”
- “top skincare products for sensitive skin”
Now here are short-tail versions of those keywords:
| Long-tail keywords | Short-tail keywords |
|---|---|
| “best yoga mats for beginners” | yoga mats |
| “vegan protein powder for weight loss” | protein powder |
| “how to start a vegetable garden for beginners” | vegetable garden |
| “low-carb recipes for meal prep” | low-carb recipes |
| “top skincare products for sensitive skin” | skincare products |
As you can see, the short-tail alternatives are much broader and less specific, making them more difficult to rank for especially when you’re starting out. They’re also less effective in targeting a specific user query or intent.
While short-tail keywords may have a higher search volume, they also have more competition and may not attract the right kind of traffic to your website. Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, are more targeted and have less competition. That makes them easier to rank for, especially in the early stages of a website, and more effective in attracting qualified leads.
See also: Beyond Keyword Research: Essential Next Steps for SEO Success
Advantages of long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords offer several advantages over short-tail keywords, making them an essential element of launching the content strategy for any business. Here are seven reasons why you should focus on long-tail keywords:
1. Low competition
Long-tail keywords are more specific. As we’ve discussed, that means they have less competition compared to short-tail keywords. This makes it easier for your content to rank higher in search results and get noticed by your target audience. Getting results faster and building your domain reputation can be massively helpful
2. High intent
Long-tail keywords are usually more specific, indicating that the user has a high intent to make a purchase or take action. This means that using long-tail keywords can help you attract more qualified leads and increase conversions.
3. Better relevance
Long-tail keywords are more relevant to the user’s search query, resulting in higher click-through rates and engagement. When your content matches the user’s search intent, they are more likely to stay on your page and interact with your content.
4. Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Using long-tail keywords can help improve your SEO efforts by targeting specific user queries and delivering relevant content. By optimizing your content for long-tail keywords, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search results.
5. Increased traffic
Long-tail keywords can help you attract more traffic to your website by targeting specific user queries and delivering relevant content. This means that you can generate more leads and increase your chances of converting them into paying customers.
6. Improved content strategy
Using long-tail keywords can help you develop a more targeted content strategy that meets the specific needs of your target audience. By understanding what your audience is searching for, you can create content that answers their questions and provides value.
7. Cost-effective
Long-tail keywords are usually less expensive compared to short-tail keywords when it comes to paid advertising. This means that you can generate more leads and conversions without spending a lot of money on advertising.
Long-tail vs. Short-tail
The primary difference between long-tail and short-tail keywords is their length and specificity. Short-tail keywords are usually one or two words long and are more general, whereas long-tail keywords are longer and more specific.
At its core, the biggest benefit of long-tail keywords are encapsulated in the first of our seven advantages. While short-tail keywords have a broader reach, they also have more competition and are harder to rank for. On the other hand, long-tail keywords are more targeted and have less competition, making them easier to rank for and more effective in attracting qualified leads. But as we’ve seen, that’s not the only advantage.
In addition to having less competition and being more targeted, long-tail keywords also tend to have higher conversion rates. This is because long-tail keywords are often used by searchers who have a specific problem or need that they are trying to solve. As a result, they are more likely to engage with content that provides a solution or addresses their specific query.
Short-tail keywords can attract a broader audience, but many of those visitors may not be as interested in the content or products being offered. Therefore, by focusing on long-tail keywords, businesses can attract more qualified leads and potentially see a higher return on investment.
Both short-tail and long-tail keywords have their place in a comprehensive SEO strategy, and a balance between the two is often necessary to achieve optimal results.
How To Identify Long-tail Keywords
To get started with long-tail keyword research, use tools to identify your long-tail keywords, and create content that addresses specific user queries and delivers value to your target audience.
Remember that long-tail keywords are not limited to written content only. You can also use them in your social media posts, product descriptions, and even in your email marketing campaigns. To find out more how about how to maximize your marketing efforts with minimal time and financial investment to reuse content, check out our post on content repurposing.
Long-tail keywords should be an essential component of your content marketing strategy — especially when you’re just starting out but throughout all stages. By using long-tail keywords, you can attract more qualified leads, increase conversions, and develop a more targeted content strategy that meets the specific needs of your target audience. So, take the time to identify relevant long-tail keywords for your business and start creating content that delivers value to your audience today!
Bottom Line
Long-tail keywords are crucial for success in content marketing. By targeting specific user queries and delivering relevant content, you can improve your SEO efforts, attract more qualified leads, increase conversions, and develop a more targeted content strategy that meets the specific needs of your target audience. Long-tail keywords have several advantages over short-tail keywords, including low competition, high intent, better relevance, improved SEO, increased traffic, improved content strategy, and cost-effectiveness.