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How to Use Long Tail Keywords for SEO?
Long Tail Keywords for Improved SEO
Every business wants to attract as much traffic as possible to their websites. That's why they try to use broad keywords that cover all bases. Indeed, a bigger volume can mean more impressions & hopefully making a purchase.
That makes sense. But have you ever tried to identify what type of traffic you attract when using these broad keywords?
Despite their popularity, broad keywords often attract a diverse audience that may not necessarily align with your target demographic. They may not precisely reflect the user's intent, leading to high bounce rates.
But fear not, there is a strategic alternative — long tail keywords. These keywords may not generate as much traffic individually but have more refined intent. They let you attract a more relevant audience with a higher chance of conversion.
In this blog, we'll explore long-tail keywords and how to use them to attract more qualified visitors to your website. So, buckle up because we're about to whip up a feast of targeted traffic, higher conversions, and SEO domination.
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What are Long Tail Keywords?
Long tail keywords are a particular type of keyword phrase that typically has three or more words. They are longer, more specific keyword phrases that drive highly targeted website traffic.
They are termed 'long tail' due to their length & position on the search demand graph, which resembles a long tail.
Shorter, more generic keywords tend to have higher competition as they are widely used. In contrast, being more specific, long tail keywords carry less competition.
For instance, the keyword "shoes" will probably have higher competition than "women's black sports shoes." Similarly, "best Italian restaurant in Brooklyn" clearly indicates what the user seeks against "restaurant".
These long tail keywords are not confined to specific industries; instead, they work across all sectors. Whether you're in technology, finance, fashion, food, or any other industry, long tail keywords can be a valuable weapon in your SEO arsenal.
Importance of Long Tail Keywords for SEO
1. Highly Specific: Long tail keywords are usually more specific than short-tail ones. This specificity helps make the content more relevant to the targeted audience, leading to higher-quality traffic & improved SERP ranking.
2. Better Conversion Rates: Consumers use these keywords further along the purchase funnel. This often leads to higher conversion rates than generic, high-competition keywords.
3. Less Competition: The long tail keywords are less competitive, making it easier for the content to rank higher in the search results. It provides a significant advantage, especially for new or small businesses trying to establish online presence.
4. Cost-Effective: Long tail keywords can be cost-effective because of their lower competition in paid search campaigns. They offer a better return on investment by driving more qualified traffic to your website.
5. Rich Content & User Intent: Long tail keywords can provide insights into user intent. It allows you to create rich, targeted content that matches what the user is searching for, improving user experience.
Long Tail Keywords vs Short Tail Keywords?
Does Google Prefer Long Tail Keywords?
Google’s stance on long tail keywords is quite favorable. It recognizes the importance of these detailed, specific phrases, as they often carry the intent of user searches & provide more successful search results.
Google’s algorithm, such as RankBrain, has made understanding & using long tail keywords more integral to SEO. The algorithm can recognize the relevance of different pages to specific queries, even if the exact phrasing isn’t used. It effectively boosts SEO potential for those using long tail keywords.
Google doesn’t necessarily favor pages targeting long tail keywords over short ones. Instead, the search engine prioritizes relevance & quality of content. If your content accurately matches the intent behind the user's search, it may rank higher.
How Do Long Tail Keywords Work?
Long tail keywords work by narrowing the scope of search queries. Imagine you are casting a net into an ocean. If you use a wide net (broad keyword), you might catch many fish, but many won't be what you want. You're casting a wide net when you use general keywords like 'shoes.'
But what if you're looking for a specific type of fish (target audience)? That's when you use a smaller, more precise net (long tail keywords), like 'black leather shoes for men'. This way, you're more likely to catch exactly what you're searching for.
Similarly, this works for businesses & content creators. For businesses & content creators, this means recognizing the needs of their target audience & optimizing their content to match these long tail keywords.
This way, when someone uses that keyword in their search, your content fits the bill, increasing your chances of attracting your audience and boosting conversions. It's much like catching the right fish each time you throw your net.
How to Find Long Tail Keywords
These long tail keywords can be identified using six methods. These are:
1. Using Quattr's Keyword Research Tool
2. Google's Auto Complete Feature
3. Google's "Search Related To" Feature
5. Google Search Console Performance Report
Using Quattr's Keyword Research Tool
Quattr's Keyword Research tool is a powerful AI-driven tool that can help you perform keyword research for free. It is user-friendly & powered by advanced deep learning technology that dives deep into search engine data, revealing historical keywords & new opportunities.
This tool allows users to understand their target audience's search behavior, helping to optimize brand visibility. Here are the steps to perform keyword research using this tool:
1. Enter your seed keyword into the tool.
2. Customize your research by setting the number of keywords & a clustering rule.
3. Add any specific instructions to tailor your keyword research further.
4. Check the box to view the search volume for each keyword, then click "Discover Keywords."
5. In a few minutes, the results will load and can be downloaded for further analysis.
You can combine your keyword research with our keyword statistics tool for a more effective SEO & PPC campaign strategy.
Google’s Auto-Complete Feature
Google's auto-complete feature is a very efficient way to discover long tail keywords. This feature automatically suggests popular search phrases as you type into the Google search bar.
These suggestions are based on real searches done by people. It can provide valuable data about your target audience's search behavior, which makes this feature an excellent source of long-tail keywords. It helps you yield more specific & niche keywords, which are usually less competitive and easier to rank for in SERPs.
This method can be used by typing your primary keyword into the Google search bar and not pressing Enter. Google will provide a list of suggested searches, often including long-tail keywords. Consider adding a letter or two after your primary keyword to see more suggestions.
Google's "Searches Related To" Feature
Google's "Searches Related To" feature is a treasure trove of semantic & related keywords. At the bottom of any Google search results page, there's a section titled 'Searches related to [your keyword]'.
It provides insights into what users are exploring in connection with your main topic, helping you discover new long tail keywords & diversify your keyword strategy. Let us look at the steps to perform long tail keyword research using this feature:
1. Search for your main keyword in Google.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page & look for the "Searches Related To" section.
3. Explore related queries for potential long tail keywords.
4. Verify the search volume & competition using Quattr's Keyword Statistics Tool or other reliable resources.
This method is beneficial as it allows you to broaden your keyword strategy while maintaining relevance to your core topic.
People Also Ask Boxes
Google's 'People Also Ask' (PAA) boxes are another fantastic resource for long tail keyword research. These boxes appear on the SERPs after a search is performed. The boxes contain questions that users commonly ask about the searched topic.
These questions are based on real search behavior, making them invaluable for tailoring your content to suit audience needs. Including these insights in your content can help to enhance your SEO visibility.
This method can be used by entering your primary keyword into Google's search bar and looking for the 'People Also Ask' section. Expand each question & take note of the queries presented. These questions often contain long-tail keywords you can use in your content.
Google Search Console Performance Report
Google Search Console's Performance Report offers valuable insights into your website's search results performance. One of the key features is its ability to reveal the exact terms or phrases people use to find your site, including long tail keywords.
You can find these long tail keywords using regex (regular expressions) in the Performance Report. Regex is a pattern-matching language that allows you to search for specific text strings.
Let us look at the steps to find long tail keywords using Regex in Google Search Console:
1. Log in to your Google Search Console account.
2. Navigate to the "Performance" section.
3. Click on "New" and then select "Query".
4. Many filter options will appear, where you can enter your regex expression.
For example, you can use the expression ([^” “]*\s){3,}? to show results containing phrases with four or more words.
By using regex to filter your results, you're creating a way to uncover specific, long-tail keywords that you may not have thought otherwise.
Read more about regex filters in Google Search Console here.
Using Quora & Reddit
Online communities like Quora & Reddit are filled with real users asking questions, sharing insights, and discussing topics relevant to your industry.
These platforms can be gold mines for finding long tail keywords. By monitoring relevant discussions & threads, you can uncover unique long tail keywords that users naturally use in their posts.
To find long tail keywords, simply search for a topic related to your main keyword. Look out for common questions or threads related to your field. The way users phrase their questions or discuss their problems can give you ideas for long tail keywords.
These platform provides a unique insight into the challenges & queries your target audience has and helps you plan your content calendar. Incorporating these keywords into your content can help it resonate better with your audience & attract more organic traffic.
Remember, finding long tail keywords is just the first step. After that, you need to include them in your content strategy. In the next section, let us understand how to incorporate these keywords into your content strategically.
How to Use Long Tail Keywords in Your Content
There are primarily two ways in which you can incorporate long tail keywords into your content strategy.
1. Long Tail Keyword for New Content Pieces
You can create a piece of content that is fully optimized around the long tail keyword. It involves weaving the specific term seamlessly throughout your content, including in your title, metadata, headers, and body text.
Remember, the intention is not to stuff your content with the keyword but to use it naturally & meaningfully. Keywords should be incorporated in a way that makes sense to the reader & provides value.
For instance, if your long tail keyword is "vegan recipes for beginners," you might craft a blog post titled "10 Easy Vegan Recipes for Beginners". It will not only cater to the ones new to vegan cuisine but also provide value by offering simple and easy-to-follow recipes. It strikes a chord with the audience & encourages them to explore more or perform a desired action.
Creating new content around long tail keywords helps you establish yourself as an expert in your niche. Providing in-depth and relevant content can build trust with your audience and increase your brand awareness.
2. Add Long Tail Keywords Into Your Existing Content
Secondly, you can optimize your existing pages with long tail keywords. This method is particularly advantageous for pages that already perform well but could yield even better results with minor adjustments. It could be as simple as adding the long tail keyword to strategic locations such as the title tag, headings, and throughout the body content.
For example, by adding "affordable digital marketing services for small businesses" to your existing digital marketing page, you are streamlining the traffic coming to your page. It ensures visitors are not just anyone interested in digital marketing but are specifically small businesses looking for affordable services. It increases the chances of conversions and enhances revenue.
Optimizing your pages around long tail keywords can save you time & money, as you don't have to create entirely new content. It can also enhance their performance and achieve greater results.
Consideration Before Using Long Tail Keywords
As valuable as long tail keywords are in content creation, they should be used with some considerations in mind. It's essential to ensure that the keyword doesn't disrupt the natural flow of content & still aligns with the user intent. Overusing or forcing the keyword can lead to a poor reader experience & even harm your website's SEO.
Targeting long-tail keywords also carries the risk of keyword cannibalization. It occurs when multiple pages on your website target the same keyword, causing them to compete against each other for rankings.
Also, always remember that relevance is key. The long tail keyword should be relevant to the content it's included in and your overall brand & offerings. Always balance your SEO efforts with quality content creation. After all, your primary aim should be to offer valuable insights to your audience that will make them return to your site.
Create Content with Long Tail Keywords Using Quattr
In conclusion, long tail keywords are essential in enhancing SEO performance, providing cost-effective results, and driving more qualified traffic to a website. Their less competitive nature allows content to rank higher in search results. These keywords can be identified using various methods. However, the real challenge lies in effectively utilizing these keywords in content creation.
This is where Quattr is a game-changer. With its AI-driven content tools, Quattr helps identify long tail keywords & facilitates the creation of new content targeting these keywords.
Its AI predictive scoring provides advanced insight into how your content may fare in search engine rankings. Therefore, these tools can significantly save time while ensuring the effectiveness of your SEO strategy through the adept use of long-tail keywords.
You can try our bunch of free tools for creating SEO-optimized content & notice how Quattr can ease your writing work.
Create & Optimize Content for Long Tail Keywords Using Quattr!
Get StartedLong Tail Keywords FAQs
How often should I update my long tail keyword strategy?
Updating your long tail keyword strategy should ideally be a monthly exercise. It allows you to keep up with current trends & user search patterns. Remember, long tail keywords are dynamic & they change as audience interests evolve. Therefore, continuous research is crucial.
How long does it take to see results from a long tail keyword strategy?
Implementing a long tail keyword strategy can yield noticeable results in about 3-6 months. This timeframe can vary based on factors such as your business niche's competitiveness & content quality. Patience, consistent monitoring, and optimization are crucial in maximizing the benefits of this SEO strategy.
What are the common mistakes made when using long tail keywords?
Misusing long-tail keywords can lead to low-quality traffic. It's important to link them to consumer intent & avoid keyword stuffing to prevent spam penalties. Regularly reviewing & updating your long-tail strategy is crucial to avoid missed opportunities as search trends evolve.
About The Author
About Quattr
Quattr is an innovative and fast-growing venture-backed company based in Palo Alto, California USA. We are a Delaware corporation that has raised over $7M in venture capital. Quattr's AI-first platform evaluates like search engines to find opportunities across content, experience, and discoverability. A team of growth concierge analyze your data and recommends the top improvements to make for faster organic traffic growth. Growth-driven brands trust Quattr and are seeing sustained traffic growth.
